Third year interested in radiology with low scores

[ForMD21]

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I'm a current US MD third year student. I received a score between 208-212 on Step 1.
This year I've high passed all classes except for one pass.
I've done some research, and have done an elective at my school. I have letters lined up, but wondering if I have a shot? If I were to get around 240 on Step 2 ( my step 1 score is my fault obviously, but the last 4 practice tests I took prior to actually taking the exam had me scoring 230+, so not sure what happened), do I have a shot? Or does my Step 1 alone preclude me from matching? I also looked up and saw a lot of community programs that are out there and wondering if I would have a shot there? Appreciate it!

 

[odyssey2]

Tableau Public

public.tableau.com

 

[ForMD21]

Tableau Public

public.tableau.com

What is this?

 

[CherryRedDracul]

What is this?

It's an interactive dashboard that alows you to play with different stats to judge your chances of matching into your preferred specialty. It's based off the last few years of NRMP's Charting the Outcomes data.

 

[ForMD21]

It's an interactive dashboard that alows you to play with different stats to judge your chances of matching into your preferred specialty. It's based off the last few years of NRMP's Charting the Outcomes data.

Ah thank you. I guess for my scores there's not a whole lot of data in terms of number of people especially if I only looked at the past year or so. My own PD told me I don't have a shot with my scores so that put a damper on it. I guess I don't really know where to go from here.

 

[odyssey2]

Ah thank you. I guess for my scores there's not a whole lot of data in terms of number of people especially if I only looked at the past year or so. My own PD told me I don't have a shot with my scores so that put a damper on it. I guess I don't really know where to go from here.

I wouldn't say no chance but it's definitely dicey. It's about a 60-75% matching rate at that Step 1 level.

 

[ForMD21]

I wouldn't say no chance but it's definitely dicey. It's about a 60-75% matching rate at that Step 1 level.

That's what I was figuring. I'm assuming if I were to do well on step 2 that would only go up? Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances? Would aways be helpful at smaller programs? Appreciate it!

 

[odyssey2]

That's what I was figuring. I'm assuming if I were to do well on step 2 that would only go up? Is there anything else I can do to increase my chances? Would aways be helpful at smaller programs? Appreciate it!

I'm just another med student so take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt. A higher Step 2 would definitely help, as would strong letters. I don't know if away rotations can really help with radiology, you do so little as a med student. I would consider a back-up plan if you're dead set on rads, either dual applying or considering taking time off/reapplying if you don't match. Apply widely and to a lot of community programs.

 

[ForMD21]

I'm just another med student so take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt. A higher Step 2 would definitely help, as would strong letters. I don't know if away rotations can really help with radiology, you do so little as a med student. I would consider a back-up plan if you're dead set on rads, either dual applying or considering taking time off/reapplying if you don't match. Apply widely and to a lot of community programs.

Thanks. From what I understand, aways are good in terms of letting them see you face to face, especially if you're pretty personable. Are you a third or fourth year?

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Thanks. From what I understand, aways are good in terms of letting them see you face to face, especially if you're pretty personable. Are you a third or fourth year?

Aways are a double-edged sword. You're likely not going to be able to do much as a medical student except sit around with a radiologist and watch them read, and maybe pick up some phone calls for them. You have to be socially attuned because if you're personable and are good at quickly making connections with people, then an away can be a positive. If you're shy and invisible, or even worse, outgoing yet annoying especially to the point of being a distraction to a radiologist's focus, an away can be a negative.