- Joined
- Dec 18, 2005
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 15
I know most people aren't sure what they want to specialize in by the start of second year, but it is worth thinking about. If you think you MIGHT want to go into derm, optho, neurosurgery, rad onc (or any of the very competitive specialties, your step 1 goals are way different from everyone else.
From looking at my school, there were two camps of people. Those who wanted to do the above fields, and had a goal of 250-260 on step 1. Those people started studying for the boards in September/October and continued working on it at least a few hours a week until the test.
The rest of us had goals more like 220-230. We studied for step 1 full time for 6-8 weeks (we have that time off) and took the test.
Bottom line is you need to know who you are talking to when taking advice. If you want to do peds listening to the derm gunner will make you crazy. And if you need a 265 to do neurosurgery at Hopkins, don't listen to the IM guy who says you'll be find with a month of studying.
From looking at my school, there were two camps of people. Those who wanted to do the above fields, and had a goal of 250-260 on step 1. Those people started studying for the boards in September/October and continued working on it at least a few hours a week until the test.
The rest of us had goals more like 220-230. We studied for step 1 full time for 6-8 weeks (we have that time off) and took the test.
Bottom line is you need to know who you are talking to when taking advice. If you want to do peds listening to the derm gunner will make you crazy. And if you need a 265 to do neurosurgery at Hopkins, don't listen to the IM guy who says you'll be find with a month of studying.
