Step 1 score 199, still in shock

[thwong21]

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Just got my step score 5 minutes ago, it was 199. I feel like jumping off a cliff right now.

Still in denial I guess since I am laughing on the inside. I am really scared that I am not going to get into a residency program. If I am a residency director, I am the kind of guy that I would filtered out.

How can this be? I am really scared that I am not going to match and got stuck with a bunch of school loans. about 400k worth. I would be a fugitive from the US governemnt.

 

[Wolf02]

US img, failed step one the first time, came back with a less than average score, matched into my first choice FM program on the west coast. If I can you can.

 

[Wolf02]

Just go murder step 2, most PD's count it higher than step one anyway. And take the nbme's. They're good predictors of your score.

 

[22031 Alum]

Just got my step score 5 minutes ago, it was 199. I feel like jumping off a cliff right now.

Still in denial I guess since I am laughing on the inside. I am really scared that I am not going to get into a residency program. If I am a residency director, I am the kind of guy that I would filtered out.

How can this be? I am really scared that I am not going to match and got stuck with a bunch of school loans. about 400k worth. I would be a fugitive from the US governemnt.

You passed!! It's not the end of the line; you may just have to adjust some of your expectations (ie, rad onc might not happen for you). Start thinking about how you can dominate rotations and Step 2.

 

[thwong21]

Well, I was thinking of going to internal medicine.

But now I am freaking out that I am not going to get residency AT ALL

****KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

 

[22031 Alum]

Well, I was thinking of going to internal medicine.

But now I am freaking out that I am not going to get residency AT ALL

****KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

I'm okay with you taking a whole week to wallow in it. But then you have to pick yourself up! Your studying/prep clearly wasn't as optimized as you thought it was, so you have work to do. But you are far from doomed.

 

[link2swim06]

I also got a 199 on step 1. Initially denial-->pissed-->then decided that I needed to stop screwing around and got my act together and got a 253 on step 2. I matched at my number 2 choice for emergency medicine.

So suck it up...stop crying...and prepare to work your ass off for the next 16 months of your life. You are the underdog. Make it happen.

 

[atomi]

Not a big deal. You wanted to do IM. You still can. Even if you don't do so hot on step 2 you still can. If you wanted to do derm this might be a different discussion, but keep moving forward and don't let this distract you.

 

[thwong21]

I don't even want to wallow in my own pity. Kind of want to pick up a book now and study.

I don't care about anything else anymore. Just want to get residency

I want to proof that I am not stupid.

 

[the argus]

If you are a US allopathic student you have nothing to worry about. 90% (157/174) of US allopathics with step 1 191-200 matched last year in IM. If you are a DO, 186/683 internal medicine positions went unfilled in the osteopathic match this year. If you are US-IMG, 27% (82/300) matched in IM in 2013 with your score.

So if you are an AMG, you have nothing to worry about. If you're an IMG, just focus on your rotations, getting great LORs, and crushing CK. You made it more difficult on yourself, but it certainly isn't impossible.

There's nothing you can do about your step 1 score now, so move on immediately and focus on the future things that you can control.

 

[lulu09]

You'll be ok. I remember getting my score back and feeling exactly the same way that you did for a few days (I was only a few points higher than you).

It's an uphill climb, I'll tell you that - you need to work hard during your 3rd year, do an early sub-i, and take CK early. I didn't quite destroy CK but I put in a good 5 weeks and raised my score 30+ points. I matched at my #3 at a mid-tier academic IM program.

Like the poster above says, you will be totally fine to match if you're a AMG. US-IMG you should match in FM for sure, and at the less competitive IM places.

 

[sazerac]

Just got my step score 5 minutes ago, it was 199. I feel like jumping off a cliff right now.

Still in denial I guess since I am laughing on the inside. I am really scared that I am not going to get into a residency program. If I am a residency director, I am the kind of guy that I would filtered out.

How can this be? I am really scared that I am not going to match and got stuck with a bunch of school loans. about 400k worth. I would be a fugitive from the US governemnt.

I know a girl (AMG) who got 195 on step 1 two years ago, and she applied to 45 FM programs. She got interviews at 42 of them, and turned them down like crazy. Matched to her #1 choice, in Southern California of all places.

So you are going to match (assuming AMG). It's just a question of where and in what.

 

[hamstergang]

Just go murder

Crime is not the answer.

 

[Wolf02]

Crime is not the answer.

HAH! It is if you choose usmle, nbme, nrmp, aamc, or any other 4/5 letter acronym.

 

[deleted103644]

I don't even want to wallow in my own pity. Kind of want to pick up a book now and study.

I don't care about anything else anymore. Just want to get residency

I want to proof that I am not stupid.

Ouch. Not a good start. 😛

You'll match. Improve on Step 2, do well on your rotations, and if you're an AMG you will still easily match. DO harder. IMG crapshoot.

Good luck.

 

[thwong21]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just happen to be an IMG from Ross University. Guess I better study my ass off.

 

[Jamie561]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just happen to be an IMG from Ross University. Guess I better study my ass off.

:-/

 

[cokebottle]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just happen to be an IMG from Ross University. Guess I better study my ass off.

what was your MCAT?

 

[gutonc]

what was your MCAT?

Why would you even ask that now?

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just happen to be an IMG from Ross University. Guess I better study my ass off.

Obviously doing well on Step 2 will help, but it might pay to familiarize yourself with all of the community hospital programs that have taken Ross grads over the years, because those might be your best shots. You'll be applying to a lot of places so prepare to break the bank going on every interview you can get. It could be worse -- there are folks who failed and still land on their feet.

 

[FutureMDiA]

Shine in Step 2. Keep studying, don't give up. Keep trying.

 

[thwong21]

Obviously doing well on Step 2 will help, but it might pay to familiarize yourself with all of the community hospital programs that have taken Ross grads over the years, because those might be your best shots. You'll be applying to a lot of places so prepare to break the bank going on every interview you can get. It could be worse -- there are folks who failed and still land on their feet.

thanks again for the advice, I actually been looking up programs that accept Ross students before I got my score. There is actually a lot throughout the states.

Guess I better start saving up for residency interviews too lol.

PS: why are so many people making random comments on this forum, is youtube not available where they are from?

 

[FutureMDiA]

Please DO NOT give up.

 

[22031 Alum]

If I am a residency director, I am the kind of guy that I would filtered out.

I am really scared that I am not going to match and got stuck with a bunch of school loans.

I want to proof that I am not stupid.

I actually been looking up programs that accept Ross students before I got my score. There is actually a lot throughout the states.

Are you a US citizen IMG? I know people speak informally online, but the bolded bits above make me think English is not your first language. If you struggle with the language, you have got to work on that. Otherwise you won't be able to plan on much of an improvement on Step 2- reading comprehension is a big part of test success.

 

[thwong21]

Are you a US citizen IMG? I know people speak informally online, but the bolded bits above make me think English is not your first language. If you struggle with the language, you have got to work on that. Otherwise you won't be able to plan on much of an improvement on Step 2- reading comprehension is a big part of test success.

I am impressed with your attention to details. Yes, I came to the United States when I was 10 years old. No, my reading comprehensions is fine.

 

[DrPerrla]

I am impressed with your attention to details. Yes, I came to the United States when I was 10 years old. No, my reading comprehensions is fine.

It's actually not attention to detail at all. Any native English speaker can pick these grammatical errors out right away by just reading your sentences once.

On a more related note, I echo what others have said. At least you passed Step 1, but being from Ross, this will still be an uphill battle for you. Ace your clerkships, get good LORs, dominate step 2 and apply broadly and to many many programs.

 

[FutureMDiA]

Is getting residency in the west easier than northeastern region (Like NY, NJ, MD) etc...?

 

[gutonc]

Is getting residency in the west easier than northeastern region (Like NY, NJ, MD) etc...?

Nope. The opposite. There are a hojillion small community programs looking for warm bodies in the NE. As an example, there are a total of 44 IM programs in WA, OR and CA...combined. NY has 66 programs by itself, add in NJ and CT (the "Tri-State Area) and you're looking at 102, never mind the other 6 states you can get to in less than a 3 hour drive from NYC.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Echo what everyone else said. Work your tail off for the next couple months. Try to understand what happened with Step 1 - Did you not study enough? Did you not take NBMEs to figure out where you stood? Or did you just have a bad day on test day? Crush CK. Pass CS on first attempt, EARLY (preferably during 3rd year). Apply to mix of community IM and FM programs, focusing on programs that have Carib grads (bonus points if they have Ross grads).

My local Categorical IM program takes a ton of IMGs every cycle. I'm sure you'll find it on your eventual application list.

 

[W19]

Obviously doing well on Step 2 will help, but it might pay to familiarize yourself with all of the community hospital programs that have taken Ross grads over the years, because those might be your best shots. You'll be applying to a lot of places so prepare to break the bank going on every interview you can get. It could be worse -- there are folks who failed and still land on their feet.

Really! I know a few students at my school who got into IM/FM/Psych university programs with less than 200. As US student, I don't think he has to restrict himself to community programs only; however, he should apply to a few just to be safe...

 

[22031 Alum]

Really! I know a few students at my school who got into IM/FM/Psych university programs with less than 200. As US student, I don't think he has to restrict himself to community programs only; however, he should apply to a few just to be safe...

I don't think the post you quoted recommended ONLY community programs, but you can't deny that's where the best odds are. OP should apply to as many programs as humanly possible. Especially those (of any type) that have taken people from the same school. It's all about maximizing the odds of success.

 

[W19]

I don't think the post you quoted recommended ONLY community programs, but you can't deny that's where the best odds are. OP should apply to as many programs as humanly possible. Especially those (of any type) that have taken people from the same school. It's all about maximizing the odds of success.

Obviously OP has to apply to some community programs, but I feel like Law2Doc was a little bit dramatic with his/her statement...

 

[W19]

I think you're confused about his/her status. He/she is a student at Ross, which is a Caribbean school. A 199 from the Caribbean is very different than a 199 from an American school. All you have to do is look at the numbers. The risk of not matching at all from a Carib school with this score is significant.

I thought OP was a US student... I guess he/she is in trouble.

 

[gutonc]

Just to put some hard numbers on what the OP is up against, here's the Step 1 score data from Charting Outcomes 2014.

Bottom line, with a Step 1 score of 200 (I'll round up here) there's a 30% chance of matching to IM for independent applicants. It's going to be an uphill climb.

 

[rokshana]

Obviously OP has to apply to some community programs, but I feel like Law2Doc was a little bit dramatic with his/her statement...

not a US student...so L2D is spot on.

 

[W19]

not a US student...so L2D is spot on.

I realized that after a poster (Tired) pointed that out... That is the main issue of going to Caribbean schools... While everyone thinks they can have 240+ on step1, betting 300-350k on that is very risky IMO.

 

[rokshana]

I realized that after a poster (Tired) pointed that out... That is the main issue of going to Caribbean schools... While everyone thinks they can have 240+ on step1, betting 300-350k on that is a very risky IMO.

that's what i get for posting w/o going through all of the new posts...

and that is not the main issue of going to a caribbean school...its not a matter of everyone thinking that they will get a 240...its the fact that even with that 240, an I/FMG is going to get less interviews and therefore have a lower chance of matching than their US senior counterpart...but thank you for your opinion on it.

 

[gutonc]

Just looked at the chart again (thx gutonc). Good lord, 160 people with >240 unmatched. I don't think I could deal with that stress level.

Those are people who either have some sort of skeleton in their application closet or somehow expected a good score on one test to be enough.

 

[Shakeys]

I am a Caribbean IMG who was in the same boat. I got 198 on Step 1 and was devastated. Got my life together, worked hard and got a 253 in Step 2. I got interviews at places that even said they wouldn't consider a Step 1 score under 210.
I matched into my #1 choice for IM. So don't get discourage yet, just do everything to make yourself look better between now and interviews.

 

[22031 Alum]

I am a Caribbean IMG who was in the same boat. I got 198 on Step 1 and was devastated. Got my life together, worked hard and got a 253 in Step 2. I got interviews at places that even said they wouldn't consider a Step 1 score under 210.
I matched into my #1 choice for IM. So don't get discourage yet, just do everything to make yourself look better between now and interviews.

Congrats! What did you do differently for Step 2? Not that study methods are one-size-fits-all, but a specific example might give OP some ideas!

 

[Shakeys]

Congrats! What did you do differently for Step 2? Not that study methods are one-size-fits-all, but a specific example might give OP some ideas!

I cracked down and just did about everything I could fit into 5 weeks. I didn't take time off for Step 2, but rather just took 5 weeks of easier electives and then studied everyday.
I studied hard for each Shelf Exam using Kaplan videos & notes, First Aid, Case Files, MKSAP, some MTB, Miscellanous study material and going through UWorld questions. For my dedicated Step studying I did it during 5 weeks of easy electives and did DIT with Step Up, along with First Aid, some MTB, re-did UWorld and did some UslmeRx. There was a lot of miscellaneous study material too. Studied all day every day outside my elective, hardly slept or ate. Did a ton of practice exams.
I also learn better from writing things out, so I just had dozens of quick reference sheets, which i would study while doing mindless chores (or brushing teeth or taking a bath, etc). Had a study group in which I would just teach a topic to one of my friends.

Now, I know this isn't a realistic study plan for people to follow, but I do recommend to determine if you are a visual/auditory/tactile/etc learning and try to integrate that as much as you can into your studies. UWorld was the best resource, but they all worked very well together.

 

[W19]

I cracked down and just did about everything I could fit into 5 weeks. I didn't take time off for Step 2, but rather just took 5 weeks of easier electives and then studied everyday.
I studied hard for each Shelf Exam using Kaplan videos & notes, First Aid, Case Files, MKSAP, some MTB, Miscellanous study material and going through UWorld questions. For my dedicated Step studying I did it during 5 weeks of easy electives and did DIT with Step Up, along with First Aid, some MTB, re-did UWorld and did some UslmeRx. There was a lot of miscellaneous study material too. Studied all day every day outside my elective, hardly slept or ate. Did a ton of practice exams.
I also learn better from writing things out, so I just had dozens of quick reference sheets, which i would study while doing mindless chores (or brushing teeth or taking a bath, etc). Had a study group in which I would just teach a topic to one of my friends.

Now, I know this isn't a realistic study plan for people to follow, but I do recommend to determine if you are a visual/auditory/tactile/etc learning and try to integrate that as much as you can into your studies. UWorld was the best resource, but they all worked very well together.

Congrats! What did you do wrong for step 1?

 

[Shakeys]

Congrats! What did you do wrong for step 1?

I suppose the better question would be what didn't I do wrong for Step 1?
1. Not understanding my own learning style. I just tried to copy what everyone else did for studying, thinking I would get the same results.
2. Motivation. I am sure at that time I felt like I was putting 110% into my studying, but now that I did it right for Step 2, I realize I could have done better.
3. I got my ADD treated. You'd be surprised how much that helps.
4. Timing. Terrible, terrible timing. I had just finished my basic science stuff (which was accelerated into 15 months instead of the normal 24) and I just moved back into the States to start clinicals. There is a lot you have to do when you move back from a foreign country, and I spent many hours on the phone dealing with insurance companies, etc that just wasted time.
5. I didn't do enough questions. So it didn't matter how well I learned it, because I didn't learn how to extract that info as well from my brain.

At the time, I thought I was studying well and as best to my abilities, but I know now I can do a lot better. I learned how I best retain materials. I know what it takes for me to do well.

I wish there was a magic answer that can help everyone, but in the end the best thing a person can do is try to figure out how their brain best retains information and how to best apply that info to a test question.

 

[W19]

@Shakeys Everyone has told me so far doing a lot of questions is the key, but I seem to stick to the way I used to study in undergrad by reading books multiple times. I don't know why it is so hard for me to make that transition...

 

[massmocha]

@Shakeys Everyone has told me so far doing a lot of questions is the key, but I seem to stick to the way I used to study in undergrad by reading books multiple times. I don't know why it is so hard for me to make that transition...

Agree with @Tired ... if everyone is telling you to switch, you should do it. Nothing will prepare you better to answer MC questions than doing questions.

 

[W19]

@Tired @massmocha I have a classmate who told me she does not read the book at all. She goes to the book while doing questions. I am amazed someone can do well with that strategy... My first year is coming to an end in 2 weeks and I felt horrible because I did not do too well grade-wise at all (mixture of Bs and Cs)... But next year I am just going to spend less time reading the books and spend more time doing questions.

 

[massmocha]

@Tired @massmocha I have a classmate who told me she does not read the book at all. She goes to the book while doing questions. I am amazed someone can do well with that strategy... My first year is coming to an end in 2 weeks and I felt horrible because I did not do too well grade-wise at all (mixture of Bs and Cs)... But next year I am just going to spend less time reading the books and spend more time doing questions.

Depending on your school structure you're usually best off just reviewing lectures in order to pass the exams (if professor generated) in pre-clinical years. When it comes to Step 1 studying in second year, UWorld QBank and First Aid are your saviors. Knowing these both by heart is essential to a high Step 1 score.

 

[gutonc]

@Tired @massmocha I have a classmate who told me she does not read the book at all. She goes to the book while doing questions. I am amazed someone can do well with that strategy... My first year is coming to an end in 2 weeks and I felt horrible because I did not do too well grade-wise at all (mixture of Bs and Cs)... But next year I am just going to spend less time reading the books and spend more time doing questions.

This is pretty much the only useful strategy for these exams. If you're getting much of anything out of reading the text, your education/training was inadequate. Testing is a game. You should already know the information you need to pass the test, now you need to know how to take the test. That's what the Q's are for.

 

[Shakeys]

@Shakeys Everyone has told me so far doing a lot of questions is the key, but I seem to stick to the way I used to study in undergrad by reading books multiple times. I don't know why it is so hard for me to make that transition...

I definitely support people using their personal learning style to perform your best; HOWEVER, it must be said that there is a difference between A. Learning-putting the information in and B. Testing- Bringing the information back out. Reading books, while it is your style of learning, will NOT help you to bring the information back out and apply it to a question. Because of this, I definitely recommend doing AS MANY questions as you can! The information is useless if you can't apply it to the specific formula USMLE uses for its questions.
This was also one of the biggest mistakes I made for Step 1, I didn't even complete the UWorld Question bank. Step 2, I did 2 passes through the entire bank. I used the questions as a measure of my ability to retrieve the information, as well as a review book. For every question there are like 5 different possible answers; and though only one of them is right, those other 4 are the right answers for a different question. So the information giving in the explanation on the UWorld questions are a great review of material that may be in other questions! Sometimes the biggest fear with question (as it was for me in Step 1), is that it forces you to recognize your weak spots, and demands you prove yourself. When I am just studying or reading books, I can genuinely feel that I learned it all, I have retained all the important information. But, those question banks will make me face the fear that I may not be as ready as I think I am. I try to just view it as a learning opportunity. That question I just got wrong on UWorld (and am embarassed about), is a question I will NOT get wrong on my boards!

 

[Shakeys]

Also, I wanted to note: I am a Rossie as well. I was in your exact situation 2 years ago.