Step score cut-offs for residency programs

[mercaptovizadeh]

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...intentionally removed the CC as I have no first hand experience with this program.

The mean step 1 score of the intern class at Mayo was a 244 this year. As a residency, there has been 100% matching over the past several years into Cards, GI, and Heme/Onc. Specifically in regards to this thread: 5/5 (2009), 4/4 (2008), and 8/8 (2007) into GI fellowships. The numbers are even more impressive for Cardiology.

Looks pretty elite to me.

Mayo is an elite program, no doubt. But it's not "as elite" as BWH, MGH, JHU, and UCSF. Some of it's fellowships, though, are superior to those at the above mentioned places. Duke cardiology is probably more renowned than Duke IM. The point was merely that residency reputation doesn't always exactly parallel fellowship reputation, not a specific attack on Mayo. Pitt critical care is highly reputable whereas the IM and anesthesia residencies are not as much.

 

[283412]

Does anyone know a step I plateau? That is, above a certain score, additional points don't help?

 

[tfom08]

Does anyone know a step I plateau? That is, above a certain score, additional points don't help?

I would imagine a few extra points never hurt. 270>260>250>240. I would imagine that there are diminishing returns, though. For instance, PD's probably care less about the difference between 270 and 250 than they do about the difference between 250 and 230.

 

[meister]

Gotta defend the fort...

...besides, his comment pretty much came out of nowhere.

That guy probably got pretty f*cked up from that...ouch.

 

[jdh71]

Does anyone know a step I plateau? That is, above a certain score, additional points don't help?

That's probably going to be PD specific, but I mean anything above 260 is just ridiculous, so I can't see how a 260 is actually better than a 270 . . . "yeah we get it, you're smart"

 

[Vanquish]

Hi guys...Im reviving this thread so that maybe someone can answer about my own personal situation. I am a USIMG who's a recent grad with a step 1 score of 244/99. What I want to know is that if I can get another score like that on CK , what chance do I have of getting interviewed and accepted at Univ programs such as Emory , Duke, mayo or even some of the middle tier programs. In essence what are the score cutoffs for IMGs? I know my step1 score isn't that great but is it enough to get me in?

 

[jdh71]

When did 244 become a "not great" score?

 

[Vanquish]

^ Ever since it seems that so many people on SDN started scoring in the 250s and 260s🙄.... Maybe Im looking at it wrong....some1 who has greater knowledge please enlighten me? 😳 I feel so humbled by SDN

 

[Vanquish]

^ And the key part of what I am concerned about is that I am a Us citizen IMG from a non-carribean school. I bet that drags down my application no matter wt my step1 score is. So I guess I can forget about Emory or Vanderbilt? Even though I really want to go to Emory.

 

[jdh71]

^ And the key part of what I am concerned about is that I am a Us citizen IMG from a non-carribean school. I bet that drags down my application no matter wt my step1 score is. So I guess I can forget about Emory or Vanderbilt? Even though I really want to go to Emory.

There's a certain amount of . . . distaste . . . directed towards Carib schools honestly.

You may actually be better off in the minds of many PDs have done medical school elsewhere. Not having visa issues is very helpful. You've got a great step score. If your application is interesting emory may still interview you.

 

[Vanquish]

^Thanks for giving me a glimmer of hope. Appreciate your input doctor🙂

 

[jllb92]

If someone can help me please, i am an US citizen currently at my 4th year in a caribbean school(live here in the caribbean), i have 262 in step one and had not yet taken CS or CK, i will be doing an externship in columbia medical center in internal medicine for 3 months, i dont have any publications, i have lots of community extracurricular activities and student organizations, and i have excellent 3rd year grades and very good 1st and second year grades too( A's and some B's) can someone tell me wich are my chances at interviewing/ matching in mid to top tier programs(Mayo, MGH, columbia), is it impossible for an IMG and what can i do to improve my application? thank you guys in advance! i want internal medicine

 

[ArkansasMed]

If someone can help me please, i am an US citizen currently at my 4th year in a caribbean school(live here in the caribbean), i have 262 in step one and had not yet taken CS or CK, i will be doing an externship in columbia medical center in internal medicine for 3 months, i dont have any publications, i have lots of community extracurricular activities and student organizations, and i have excellent 3rd year grades and very good 1st and second year grades too( A's and some B's) can someone tell me wich are my chances at interviewing/ matching in mid to top tier programs(Mayo, MGH, columbia), is it impossible for an IMG and what can i do to improve my application? thank you guys in advance! i want internal medicine

Short answer, nearly impossible, focus on nearly. Maybe Mayo, the rest are out of reach.

You have a solid score but lack the "wow factor" such as publishing extensively, a phd, something else crazy about you (college athlete etc or president of a national organization) with all top grades. In other words, perfect except for pedigree.

If you are set on the top tier some make it. Usually FMGs that do a year or two of research through the department along with an externship. There are 1-2 FMGs in my current program at one of these places that would be considered top tier. There are no Carribian or DO kids in all three years to my knowledge. Check to see if Columbia has any Caribian students. If they don't, I wouldn't bother with the externship and I'd go to another location where you have a better chance to match.