Step 1 score for top-tier programs

[Theralist]

Hey all,

I am planning on going into internal medicine (I will be an M2 in the fall) and hopefully oncology after that. I am shooting for top-tier programs (mayo, duke, michigan, etc.) but don't know what type of boards score I would need to get interviews at these places. Is there a good general rule of thumb? (sorry if this is an obvious question or has been discussed before - I couldn't find posts that had this info).

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[Theralist]

Hey all,

I am planning on going into internal medicine (I will be an M2 in the fall) and hopefully oncology after that. I am shooting for top-tier programs (mayo, duke, michigan, etc.) but don't know what type of boards score I would need to get interviews at these places. Is there a good general rule of thumb? (sorry if this is an obvious question or has been discussed before - I couldn't find posts that had this info).

Forgot to add - I took a year off between M1 and M2 year to do research on brain tumors. Duke has a good brain tumor research program so I am heavily considering training there.

 

[Psai]

I don't have a specific number cut-off for you and I doubt anyone does but the people I know that interviewed there had 250s. Do the best you can though, getting interviews can be a crapshoot.

 

[Adjet]

The IM match results threads are a good resource:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2016-im-match-results.1188438/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2015-im-match-results.1126256/

Generally seems like you should aim for 240s-250s, with a little more flexibility if you come from a top tier medical school

 

[TBV]

At least 240 to get through the screening, 250s obviously a better shot.

 

[alpinism]

Keep in mind that competitiveness also heavily depends on location.

No one wants to live in the frozen tundra that is Rochester, MN.

 

[sinombre]

No one wants to live in the frozen tundra that is Rochester, MN.

Some of us do. But yeah, most people don't.

 

[alpinism]

To answer your question:

For top tier programs you're going to want a 240+ as a minimum.

This is assuming you're coming from a middle of the road MD program.

 

[alpinism]

Some of us do. But yeah, most people don't.

Hmm you're right.

90% of people don't want to live in the frozen tundra that is Rochester, MN.

 

[TBV]

if I don't want to do a crappy dumb specialty like dermatology or plastic surgery which doesn't require any smarts but would rather do a smarter specialty like IM, onco, anesth, neuro what would On my way! recommend doing? Derm isn't hard just looking at skin stuff and easy lifestyle, anyone can do that and same with surgery... just slicing and dicing.... i wanna get into better specialties??

Did you just smash your face on the keyboard and this is what came out?

 

[WedgeDawg]

if I don't want to do a crappy dumb specialty like dermatology or plastic surgery which doesn't require any smarts but would rather do a smarter specialty like IM, onco, anesth, neuro what would On my way! recommend doing? Derm isn't hard just looking at skin stuff and easy lifestyle, anyone can do that and same with surgery... just slicing and dicing.... i wanna get into better specialties??

Are you a high school student?

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hey all,

I am planning on going into internal medicine (I will be an M2 in the fall) and hopefully oncology after that. I am shooting for top-tier programs (mayo, duke, michigan, etc.) but don't know what type of boards score I would need to get interviews at these places. Is there a good general rule of thumb? (sorry if this is an obvious question or has been discussed before - I couldn't find posts that had this info).

To be competitive, a 240 or 250 may get you into the door depending on many factors. A 230 probably isn't getting you screened out though. There are a lot of other factors including race, LORs, grade in IM clerkship and other clerkship grades, research, school you go to and many others.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

The IM match results threads are a good resource:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2016-im-match-results.1188438/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/official-2015-im-match-results.1126256/

Generally seems like you should aim for 240s-250s, with a little more flexibility if you come from a top tier medical school

How much does school matter? All else being equal would a program rather take a 240 from UCSF or a 250 from VCU?

 

[Adjet]

How much does school matter? All else being equal would a program rather take a 240 from UCSF or a 250 from VCU?

For top tier IM residencies, the UCSF student would still probably have a significant advantage

 

[LuluLovesMe]

For top tier IM residencies, the UCSF student would still probably have a significant advantage

Ah that's discouraging. The IM resident list at MGH seems to be dominated by Harvard grads with the rest filled in by top 10's. I'm not sure what my chances will be as a UMass student when I apply in 3 years.

 

[Psai]

Ah that's discouraging. The IM resident list at MGH seems to be dominated by Harvard grads with the rest filled in by top 10's. I'm not sure what my chances will be as a UMass student when I apply in 3 years.

Most doctors don't train at mgh but still manage to do just fine. Maybe you can nab a spot with the hoi polloi at the brigham or beth israel.

 

[PhillyMed777]

including race,

ugh....i was hoping this won't play a role in residency?
Damn, first undergrad, then med school, and now residency...

 

[Cytarabine]

For top tier IM residencies, the UCSF student would still probably have a significant advantage

Yea, I'd take being the 240 erryday

 

[BronxBomber]

Ah that's discouraging. The IM resident list at MGH seems to be dominated by Harvard grads with the rest filled in by top 10's. I'm not sure what my chances will be as a UMass student when I apply in 3 years.

My school matched two people to MGH-IM this and we're definitely not top 10. I think the key is to worry less about how top-10 students are doing in their research/clerkships/boards and to worry more about how you can outshine them if you work hard and smart enough

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Keep in mind that competitiveness also heavily depends on location.

No one wants to live in the frozen tundra that is Rochester, MN.

I do, but I'm from Minnesota haha