the state of step 1

[EthylMethylMan]

It seems like other healthcare professions are making things easier for their students while med students have to jump thru a lot of hoops to become attendings.

This general trend is a good thing in my opinion. If we want to have legitimacy in saying we’re better than midlevels, for example, this is one way we demonstrate that to normies. There’s a discussion to be had about how rigorous things ought to be, but having higher standards is a good and necessary thing. As previously stated, even an isolated Step failure isn’t a career-ender, so it’s not like we’re dooming our students.

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[Splenda88]

This general trend is a good thing in my opinion. If we want to have legitimacy in saying we’re better than midlevels, for example, this is one way we demonstrate that to normies. There’s a discussion to be had about how rigorous things ought to be, but having higher standards is a good and necessary thing. As previously stated, even an isolated Step failure isn’t a career-ender, so it’s not like we’re dooming our students.

I guess we will keep thumping our chest saying "we are better" until we are replaced by midlevels.

Let's be honest here: Med school school only be a 6-yr degree. 3-yr prereqs and 3-yr med school (18 months didactic and 18 month clerkships), not the 4-yr defacto baccalaureate degree and 4-yr med school.

 

[DO2015CA]

I guess we will keep thumping our chest saying "we are better" until we are replaced by midlevels.

Let's be honest here: Med school school only be a 6-yr degree. 3-yr prereqs and 3-yr med school (18 months didactic and 18 month clerkships), not the 4-yr defacto baccalaureate degree and 4-yr med school.

Agree. Us saying we are better doesn’t mean anything to the general public. Residency is the thing that sets us apart. If residencies had an exit exam and then you were lifetime board certified then this would accomplish that goal. We all do CME for state medical license anyway so this whole continuing education for BC is bull****

 

[ceo_of_stonks]

Totally hear you. That tension — between wanting to feel fired up and feeling like the system is already choosing for you — is so real. And I want to validate that: it’s not weakness, and it’s not you “not being cut out for it.” It’s the natural response to a system that often asks for everything before it tells you the rules.


But here’s the reframe I’d offer:
The fire isn’t just about getting exactly what you want.
It’s about protecting your voice in a process that so often tries to silence it. It’s the thing that reminds you who you are — even when your path isn’t perfectly straight. That fire helps you stay you.


And honestly? The fact that you posted this to help others feel less alone — that is power. That is agency. That’s a kind of leadership med school doesn’t teach, but the world desperately needs from its future physicians.


So let those thoughts float — they’re allowed. But don’t let them make decisions for you. You’ve got more say than you think. And your fire still matters — not just for where you end up, but how you get there.

wow, this was beautifully said. I'm coming to accept that I will be ok, no matter what. I'll be a doctor with a good salary compared to the everyday person. I hope you are active in academics or at least active on SDN, because I think alot of students need to hear you. Thank you

 

[ceo_of_stonks]

This general trend is a good thing in my opinion. If we want to have legitimacy in saying we’re better than midlevels, for example, this is one way we demonstrate that to normies. There’s a discussion to be had about how rigorous things ought to be, but having higher standards is a good and necessary thing. As previously stated, even an isolated Step failure isn’t a career-ender, so it’s not like we’re dooming our students.

I mean, how true is the 'not career ender' tho? on this thread I was told to basically give up obgyn by everyone (except one person). I was also told that I have other options besides "FM in rural Montana" but then everyone basically told me my only option is FM in rural Montana lol

 

[PeteytheFish]

I mean, how true is the 'not career ender' tho? on this thread I was told to basically give up obgyn by everyone (except one person). I was also told that I have other options besides "FM in rural Montana" but then everyone basically told me my only option is FM in rural Montana lol

Remember what I said about SDN being a hive of uninformed catastrophizers (not saying that EthylMethylMan is, just contributers in general)? I think it might be useful for you to stop seeking opinions from SDN and start looking at data. Because honestly, what you need is not more people telling you what you can't do and more evidence showing you what you can do.

Start here: No, a Step 1 failure won’t doom your medical career

And here: Charting Outcomes™: USMLE Step 1 Exam Baseline

The most important variable here is you. If you come back strong and pass your next attempt and then put this experience the eff behind you and move forward, then you're going to be a heck of a lot more successful than the person who wallows and gives up. You want OBGYN? Go freaking get it. You do this through ACTION. Network. Do research. Head up your med school OBGYN club. Knock Step 2 out of the park. Talk to your advisor and OB clerkship director about your plans. Get to know the OBGYN PD at your home program. But for goodness sake l, don't let a bunch of armchair experts on this forum tell you that it's over. You're giving us way more credit than we deserve.