Step 1 - 209. MSIII. Need Advice!

[greensleeves]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey Everyone

First, created a new account for anonymity, so I am a regular user of SDN but wanted to see if you guys could give me some advice specific to my situation.

Okay, well, here is my resume:

Medical School: Not Top 30. Midwest Region
Preclinical Years: No red flags.
Step 1: 209
Step 2 CK: Not yet taken.
Cumulative Rank: probably 50th percentile
Third Year (MSIII) Grades - 1st rotation OBGYN (expecting Honors/HP).
Research - Abstract in EM between MS1/MS2 from a CA University Hospital
Other: Community Service Chair of an organization.

Questions:

Assuming I do well on my clerkships, and score well on Step 2...

1. Considering my Step 1 score, do I have ANY chance at matching into EM in California? Originally from CA, family lives there, went to college there, etc. Don't need to be at Stanford, but any program in CA would be wonderful.

2. What about my chances on getting any EM residency in the NYC/Jersey, Chicago, or the DC area?

3. What would you guys recommend me to do right now to increase my chances of getting this EM residency?
--a. A particular Step 2 Score?
--b. Do I need to get mostly Hs in my clerkships? (Of course that's my goal, though)
--c. Recommend me to be doing more research?
--d. Anything else?

Using SDN has helped me realize what I need to do to match into EM. The true reason why I am posting is because I recently got my Step 1 score back and it blew the wind out of me 😡 I'm pretty disappointed in myself since I scored above 220 on my most recent NBME. Now, I'm panicking, feeling pretty low, and finding it very difficult to motivate myself to study since I don't even know if matching is a possibility anymore? Even if my chances aren't too great, I just really need to know if it's still possible to match EM so I have some light at the end of the tunnel.

Any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.


Hopeful MSIII
greensleeves

 

[EMdoc10]

Hey GS,
Don't sweat it. The answers to your Qs are simple. Try to at least HP (if not H) all your MS3 clerkships and ROCK CK. By that I mean, don't bum off during MS3. Buy CK Q-bank and use it to ace your shelves (to the best of your ability) + get a taste of what CK tests. Not everyone gets 240s on Step 1, but you have a chance to redeem yourself.
Towards Feb/March of MS3, start thinking about where you want to do your away-rotations (sub-Is) and apply via VSAS asap when it opens.
You'll be fine🙂
You don't necessarily need research, but if you want to help with clinical-trials/studies your ED is doing, why not?
Learn from, but also enjoy MS3. It will never come back. Don't keep stressing over "what else?" to do to embellish your resume.

Hey Everyone

First, created a new account for anonymity, so I am a regular user of SDN but wanted to see if you guys could give me some advice specific to my situation.

Okay, well, here is my resume:

Medical School: Not Top 30. Midwest Region
Preclinical Years: No red flags.
Step 1: 209
Step 2 CK: Not yet taken.
Cumulative Rank: probably 50th percentile
Third Year (MSIII) Grades - 1st rotation OBGYN (expecting Honors/HP).
Research - Abstract in EM between MS1/MS2 from a CA University Hospital
Other: Community Service Chair of an organization.

Questions:

Assuming I do well on my clerkships, and score well on Step 2...

1. Considering my Step 1 score, do I have ANY chance at matching into EM in California? Originally from CA, family lives there, went to college there, etc. Don't need to be at Stanford, but any program in CA would be wonderful.

2. What about my chances on getting any EM residency in the NYC/Jersey, Chicago, or the DC area?

3. What would you guys recommend me to do right now to increase my chances of getting this EM residency?
--a. A particular Step 2 Score?
--b. Do I need to get mostly Hs in my clerkships? (Of course that's my goal, though)
--c. Recommend me to be doing more research?
--d. Anything else?

Using SDN has helped me realize what I need to do to match into EM. The true reason why I am posting is because I recently got my Step 1 score back and it blew the wind out of me 😡 I'm pretty disappointed in myself since I scored above 220 on my most recent NBME. Now, I'm panicking, feeling pretty low, and finding it very difficult to motivate myself to study since I don't even know if matching is a possibility anymore? Even if my chances aren't too great, I just really need to know if it's still possible to match EM so I have some light at the end of the tunnel.

Any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.


Hopeful MSIII
greensleeves

 

[FireTop]

I'm in a similar situation but am thinking Peds or IM. I've been told to just focus on doing well on Step 2 and clerkships. We got this bud!! Stay focused

 

[greensleeves]

Hey GS,
Don't sweat it. The answers to your Qs are simple. Try to at least HP (if not H) all your MS3 clerkships and ROCK CK. By that I mean, don't bum off during MS3. Buy CK Q-bank and use it to ace your shelves (to the best of your ability) + get a taste of what CK tests. Not everyone gets 240s on Step 1, but you have a chance to redeem yourself.
Towards Feb/March of MS3, start thinking about where you want to do your away-rotations (sub-Is) and apply via VSAS asap when it opens.
You'll be fine🙂
You don't necessarily need research, but if you want to help with clinical-trials/studies your ED is doing, why not?
Learn from, but also enjoy MS3. It will never come back. Don't keep stressing over "what else?" to do to embellish your resume.

Thanks so much! Right now I am just doing my best to get used to my attending's style and the way they want their notes/presentations done. It's difficult at times, as I'm sure you knew.

Do you happen to know if my chances at a CA EM residency are close to impossible? Or would they be within reason if I just killed 3rd year?

 

[EMdoc10]

GS, sorry can't help you much there. I'm neither from CA, nor looking to match there for residency. However, CA programs are one of the most competitive 2/2 reputation/favorable location. All my friends who're applying to CA EM have above avg applications for sure.