Step II Recovery

[da3dl3us]

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Hey Guys,

I'm a beginning MS3 and I've been interested in radiology from the beginnning of med school, especially being a real techie and love finding definitive answers. The problem is my stats:

-Few honors 1st year, none 2nd, hoping to get some 3rd year.
-Step I 225
-Just starting research in MR spec, endpoint being a poster (couldn't find research during 1st summer)
-Go to a Med school in a USNews top hospital (not sure if that makes a difference)

Now I know I'm near the lower end of the average. I was wondering if I should take Step II early, so that it might make up for that score, or wait until after applying to residencies to take it. And if I have to take it early, how hardcore should I prepare for it?

I prefer to go to a fairly good program, something that will train me well, not just for the sake of being a radiologist. 😛

Thanks

 

[colbgw02]

Hey Guys,

I'm a beginning MS3 and I've been interested in radiology from the beginnning of med school, especially being a real techie and love finding definitive answers. The problem is my stats:

-Few honors 1st year, none 2nd, hoping to get some 3rd year.
-Step I 225
-Just starting research in MR spec, endpoint being a poster (couldn't find research during 1st summer)
-Go to a Med school in a USNews top hospital (not sure if that makes a difference)

Now I know I'm near the lower end of the average. I was wondering if I should take Step II early, so that it might make up for that score, or wait until after applying to residencies to take it. And if I have to take it early, how hardcore should I prepare for it?

I prefer to go to a fairly good program, something that will train me well, not just for the sake of being a radiologist. 😛

Thanks

your step I score certainly isn't preclusive, but it isn't great or even "typical" for a radiology applicant. you'll get some interviews with that score, but probably not at the top programs and only if you apply to lots of places. it helps if you're not too picky about what part of the country you end up as well.

if i were you, i would take step II sometime next summer - in time for it to make it into ERAS. if you go all out (i.e. take time off and just study), then 3-4 weeks is sufficient to do well, IMO.

also, you don't have to go to a top 10 program to get good training. unless you want to do academic medicine, then it most likely won't matter where you trained.

 

[da3dl3us]

your step I score certainly isn't preclusive, but it isn't great or even "typical" for a radiology applicant. you'll get some interviews with that score, but probably not at the top programs and only if you apply to lots of places. it helps if you're not too picky about what part of the country you end up as well.

if i were you, i would take step II sometime next summer - in time for it to make it into ERAS. if you go all out (i.e. take time off and just study), then 3-4 weeks is sufficient to do well, IMO.

also, you don't have to go to a top 10 program to get good training. unless you want to do academic medicine, then it most likely won't matter where you trained.

Hey, thanks for the advice,

But I'm a little disconcerted at the fact I might get just some interviews, with my current stats. I go to a school in the chicagoland area. What you mean "not top programs", what's a good example?

Is UIC, Illinois Masonic, Rush or Loyola considered top and out of reach with my score?

I mean, I'd prefer chicago, but I'd be flexible (except going to some rural town).

 

[poloace]

dude-
people on SDN are freaks. let's be honest. everyone on here has 230+. truth is, i know people matching with 190's, 200's, etc. apply broadly. work hard your first year or two - if you don't like where you end up, keep your eyes open to transfer. don't let people get you down. there's a lot of good info on this site... but, there are also a lot of gunners who are in the top 0.5% of their class who will allow you to feel like poo if you let them. you'll be fine, and you'll get into a good program.

p

 

[da3dl3us]

dude-
people on SDN are freaks. let's be honest. everyone on here has 230+. truth is, i know people matching with 190's, 200's, etc. apply broadly. work hard your first year or two - if you don't like where you end up, keep your eyes open to transfer. don't let people get you down. there's a lot of good info on this site... but, there are also a lot of gunners who are in the top 0.5% of their class who will allow you to feel like poo if you let them. you'll be fine, and you'll get into a good program.

p

Thanks poloace,

I was kinda down for a few days, thinking maybe I'd just stuck in the middle of timbuktu for Rads. But I hope my research and genuine enthusiasm will outshine my boards score.

So what's your opinion about taking the Step2 early. I'm only afraid that if something goes awry, it'll make my chances a bit worse.

 

[skidmark]

dude-
people on SDN are freaks. let's be honest. everyone on here has 230+. truth is, i know people matching with 190's, 200's, etc. apply broadly. work hard your first year or two - if you don't like where you end up, keep your eyes open to transfer. don't let people get you down. there's a lot of good info on this site... but, there are also a lot of gunners who are in the top 0.5% of their class who will allow you to feel like poo if you let them. you'll be fine, and you'll get into a good program.

p

People on sdn are freaks, but it might be a good idea to take step 2 in August because from what I understand most do better. Truth is...the average step 1 score for people accepted into radiogy is 232. This is pretty intimidating but don't sweat it. NRMP data shows that of the 179 US applicants last year with 220-230 step 1 scores, only 10 did not match.
You are gonna do fine. Good luck.

 

[da3dl3us]

Yay! I got my Step II scores back and got a 236/98!

Any advice on the number of programs to apply?

 

[werewethere]

Way to go on step 2! Still apply broadly, you want to make sure you give yourself enough options. In your neck of the woods, maybe 40 to 50, 1/3 reach (NW, UofC), 1/3 middle tier (Rush/UIC/Loyola), and 1/3 safety (Illinois Masonic, etc).

 

[TX_Longhorn]

People on sdn are freaks, but it might be a good idea to take step 2 in August because from what I understand most do better. Truth is...the average step 1 score for people accepted into radiogy is 232. This is pretty intimidating but don't sweat it. NRMP data shows that of the 179 US applicants last year with 220-230 step 1 scores, only 10 did not match.
You are gonna do fine. Good luck.

actually the average was a 235 for a matriculant last year. not that its too far from 232

www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf

 

[rodamus prime]

I love Radiology like a fat kid loves cake... hope I get in.

 

[-Goose-]

actually the average was a 235 for a matriculant last year. not that its too far from 232

www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf

235?

 

[Amxcvbcv]

actually the average was a 235 for a matriculant last year. not that its too far from 232

www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf

The thread is a year old. 😛

Not that we're nitpicking. 😉


Congrats on Step 2!