talk about board scores in personal statement?

[H0mersimps0n]

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If you bombed one set but made a strong comeback on the second would it ever be appropriate to either focus your entire statement on how you overcame the adversity or at least mention somewhere that you're a fighter and you are capable...

I'm talking suave, savy, smooth integration of this issue into a personal statement not "I'm not as dumb as my step 1's say I am and here's 2 to prove it..."

thanks

 

[getinthehole]

what is bombed? i think that matters a lot.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

<190

 

[ironmaiden]

what is bombed? i think that matters a lot.

I think he means bombed Step 1, which must mean below 240, right😉 ?

If you truly bombed, you're going to have a tough time getting past many of the screening tools, which are computerized. Many are set at 220, but not all. If you have some special connections to a particular place or two, or are AOA, you might be in okay shape. Look at the aamc data for AOA status and board scores to get a better idea.

If you truly have like a 30 point spread, and you tanked Step 1, I would mention it. Be brief and responsible and not just an excuse maker.

I really don't think the PS matters too much for rads, and I was an English major. (I have written and edited many a PS.) Just make sure you get a few other people to look it over, esp MDs.

good luck!

 

[H0mersimps0n]

yeah I did 30pts better on step 2

no doubt it's going to take a miracle...

 

[colbgw02]

yeah I did 30pts better on step 2

no doubt it's going to take a miracle...

i suggest only mentioning it if there was an extraordinary set of circumstances that influenced your performance, e.g. my mother was in a car accident and was in the hospital for 5 weeks. the very reason why board scores are used is because they're quantitative and objective, so i doubt trying to shed a subjective light on your score would be helpful.

i echo the unimportance of personal statements. the PD at my university stated bluntly that she hates reading them, and in a decade of receiving applications she's only read one that stood out. again, use it to explain any applicable extraordinary circumstances, otherwise, just keep it simple.

 

[getinthehole]

I would definitely give it a shot. Like said above though, need good stuff to say. I don't know if you need a reason like, "mom died," I don't know how many would go for something like that (excuses...) or actually believe it either. I'd like a more honest straight forward answer. Good luck, and congrats on the great improvement.