USF difficulty

[docscience]

How hard is it to get into usf medicine residency? For an AMG with a step 1 score of 195? No other red flags. Thanks

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[tfom08]

Medium difficulty? Your step 1 will be below average for the program. How are your clinical grades? Any research or EC's? I think you still have a good chance to match there. Try to do an away and make a good impression. USF is not a "top x" program that people talk about on SDN, so I assume they aren't so selective that you will be cut based on a Step 1 screen. Most IM residencies aren't terribly competitive in the match, so you will be fine at solid mid-tier programs as long as the rest of your application is good.

 

[docscience]

Below the avg for the program? Mind if I ask how you know? What is the avg. score for the program?

My clerkship grades are decent...in the 80s. I have a masters degree in biochemistry and have some research...unpublished so far, but papers are in the writing.

Any other feedback would be appreciated. I really have my heart set on this program...but have others in consideration also.

Thanks again!

 

[ResidentMD]

Below the avg for the program? Mind if I ask how you know? What is the avg. score for the program?

My clerkship grades are decent...in the 80s. I have a masters degree in biochemistry and have some research...unpublished so far, but papers are in the writing.

Any other feedback would be appreciated. I really have my heart set on this program...but have others in consideration also.

Thanks again!

195 is a below average score for most university based and competitive community programs, more so for those who are in desirable locations and have the option to pick and choose from their applicant lot.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

How hard is it to get into usf medicine residency? For an AMG with a step 1 score of 195? No other red flags. Thanks

Best thing to do would be to talk to an adviser at your school.

Average USMLE Step 1 score was around 222 with SD of 23 last time I checked.

The average score for applicants applying to specialties varies. The last chart I saw looked this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2415481402_b7926f4a2b_o.jpg

 

[tfom08]

Below the avg for the program? Mind if I ask how you know? What is the avg. score for the program?

195 is something like 10-15th %ile nationally, so I am just assuming it is below the mean at USF IM. I doubt the program has published the mean step 1 scores for their residents. Like I said though, I doubt you will be screened out just based on step 1 because they aren't a super selective program. You need to try to improve on Step 2 and do your best on clinicals from here on out.

 

[docscience]

195 is something like 10-15th %ile nationally, so I am just assuming it is below the mean at USF IM. I doubt the program has published the mean step 1 scores for their residents. Like I said though, I doubt you will be screened out just based on step 2 because they aren't a super selective program. You need to try to improve on Step 2 and do your best on clinicals from here on out.

This sucks. I am super bummed out. Should I perhaps not even consider applying there?

Most university programs avgs are around 220 then? Should I start investigating more community programs?

 

[sluggo]

USF is a joke. they give spots away. With your credentials, you will walk in no problem. Fear not!

 

[tfom08]

This sucks. I am super bummed out. Should I perhaps not even consider applying there?

Most university programs avgs are around 220 then? Should I start investigating more community programs?

Yes probably most University Programs average 210-220, but that is the average. That doesn't mean they won't consider you. And also, Step 1 is only one part of your application. Take Step 2 early and do well. Have a good personal statement. Try to do an away rotation (If you have one program that you really want to match with, this is probably one of the best things you can do). Bottom line is, make sure the 195 is the weakest part of your application and you will be ok. Yes, you should apply to some community programs as well, just to be safe, but if you apply broadly I think you will match at a university program if you want to.

 

[ResidentMD]

Yes probably most University Programs average 210-220, but that is the average. That doesn't mean they won't consider you. And also, Step 1 is only one part of your application. Take Step 2 early and do well. Have a good personal statement. Try to do an away rotation (If you have one program that you really want to match with, this is probably one of the best things you can do). Bottom line is, make sure the 195 is the weakest part of your application and you will be ok. Yes, you should apply to some community programs as well, just to be safe, but if you apply broadly I think you will match at a university program if you want to.

I fully support this advice, esp this line. It is too early to give up, and you should almost never give up in Internal Medicine (somewhere I heard that this attitude wins you brownie points in your app as well 😉 )

 

[w a n g]

OP, do you goto AZCOM? If so, that changes the type of AMG a little.

 

[docscience]

yes i go to AZCOM

does that really destroy my chances of going there?

would an away rotation help? if so, when should i do a rotation. i think i am fairly good/efficient/knowledgable in clinic...i just had a horrible step 1 score/test day

 

[gutonc]

yes i go to AZCOM

does that really destroy my chances of going there?

would an away rotation help? if so, when should i do a rotation. i think i am fairly good/efficient/knowledgable in clinic...i just had a horrible step 1 score/test day

No. Being a DO student doesn't destroy your chances of matching to a mediocre program for IM residency.

I think that w a n g was just trying to point out that you're not an AMG but a DO grad which is like a 1/4 to 1/2 strike against you, depending on who you ask. Now you have a crap Step 1 score (which is a full strike against you, no matter who you ask) added on to that. For a program like USF it's essentially a non-issue. For more competitive programs it would make a difference.

Also, this is officially the LAST time you get to make an excuse for your Step 1 score. Accept it and move on. Making excuses is weak and nobody wants a resident making excuses on the wards. Don't give anyone a reason to think you'll be that person. Take (and ROCK) Step 2 early and cross your fingers.

 

[tfom08]

Being a DO grad with a poor Step 1 will make it a bit tougher for you, but just stick to the plan.

1. Take step 2 early and do well.
2. Do an away rotation at USF.

If you do those two things well, you probably have a good chance. If you do poorly at either one of those, then it's really going to be a crapshoot.

 

[houstoncfh]

Being a DO grad with a poor Step 1 will make it a bit tougher for you, but just stick to the plan.

1. Take step 2 early and do well.
2. Do an away rotation at USF.

If you do those two things well, you probably have a good chance. If you do poorly at either one of those, then it's really going to be a crapshoot.

I think the away is especially important, given that you go to school in AZ. You need to do something to convince the selection committee that you are, in fact, very serious about applying to their program on the opposite side of the country. I think if you were applying to UA's residency, you'd probably have a fighting shot based solely on geography (I'm assuming grads from your school go there, do well, are hard workers, etc).

I had a couple of interviews that were based more on geography than perceived "prestige" or anything like that, and was often confronted with the question on interview day, "Soooooo....why exactly are you interested in our program?" I think if you can say something to the effect of, "Well, I'd like to stay in the area, and I did an away, and found I really liked the program," then you've given a satisfactory answer.

I don't think the step 1 makes you dead in the water, but you've really got to demonstrate that you're serious about them before they'll give you a shot.

 

[docscience]

Thanks for all the advice. Why is usf not a good program? It is no vandy/harvard/etc. But they have a decent review on scutwork, have good matches recently, great location, a great cancer center, etc. I just wanted to know why some on here think it's a joke? It would work for me...a good fit.

Some think I am screwed for this program...someone said I could walk in. I am planning on talking to an advisor at school.

Also, am I in a worse situation than someone who failed step 1 and then got a good score when they retook it?

What bout other programs? USC? U of a? Unlv? U of t-Austin? I wanna go to a university program somewhere warm.

Thanks again. I love sdn's support.

 

[ShaveBiopsy]

i have a friend who went to med school at usf and she was saying that one of the IM residents there had a step 1 score around 180...so you have a chance...

 

[staup]

You definitely have a chance. Just do an away rotation there and do well on Step 2. Make sure they take DO students as well, not all residencies do. Remember, the average step 1 score for IM may be higher than yours, but that is the average so there are a ton of people below that mark who match, and that number probably also includes a lot of foreign graduates who need to rock step 1 just to be considered. The number is probably lower for american grads.

USF is a fine program, definitely not elite, but probably average. Nothing wrong with it if that's what you want to do it.

Of the other programs you mentioned, USC can be tough to match into because it's in California, Arizona is definitely not as difficult to match into as USC but maybe as good clinically, I have no idea about UNLV, and I don't think there is a Texas program at Austin.

 

[w a n g]

You have a shot there. I am a 4th year and NSU and Florida IM programs (allo) have a good number of DO's in them. With that said, as Gutonc had suggested, your USMLE scores with the fact you are not an "AMG" in the sense its used on this board means that you will be battling uphill more than you initially led on.

On to practical things:
-rotate there if you can and put in lots of effort. aimicability does wonders! make friends with residents.
-step 2

 

[sluggo]

I did an away month there as 4th yr b/c I wanted to go somewhere warm. I interviewed but did not rank it b/c:

1. I thought the residents were more concerned with getting out early than learning.
2. Lack of academic rigor.
3. Not all patients were "teaching"-- some were private.
4. Terrible commute between the VA and TGH

Positives:
PD seemed very committed.

 

[docscience]

I did an away month there as 4th yr b/c I wanted to go somewhere warm. I interviewed but did not rank it b/c:

1. I thought the residents were more concerned with getting out early than learning.
2. Lack of academic rigor.
3. Not all patients were "teaching"-- some were private.
4. Terrible commute between the VA and TGH

Positives:
PD seemed very committed.

Thanks for all the advise! I am a little encouraged and have received some IMs about some things I can do.

I don't care about prestige all that much. I want to go somewhere warm (I hate snow, cold weather, and think I have a serious case of SAD).
I am a little worried that you didn't think that residents were learning there. I really want to become a competent physician and eventually pursue a CC/Pulm fellowship.

Residents/Interns didn't get to see the private patients?

I am not too worried about the commute...I saw that complaint on scutworks review. I can handle that.

And I do believe that there is a U of Texas - Austin program:
University of Texas Medical Branch (Austin) Program
Hospital Type: Community Teaching
Program Director(s): Beth W. Miller, MD
Send correspondence to:
Brackenridge Hospital
Internal Medicine Department
601 East 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
ACP Chapter Code: TXS
Phone: (512) 324-7863
Fax: (512) 477-8933
E-mail: [email protected]
Program Size: 41; PGY1: 21

 

[houstoncfh]

Thanks for all the advise! I am a little encouraged and have received some IMs about some things I can do.

I don't care about prestige all that much. I want to go somewhere warm (I hate snow, cold weather, and think I have a serious case of SAD).
I am a little worried that you didn't think that residents were learning there. I really want to become a competent physician and eventually pursue a CC/Pulm fellowship.

Residents/Interns didn't get to see the private patients?

I am not too worried about the commute...I saw that complaint on scutworks review. I can handle that.

And I do believe that there is a U of Texas - Austin program:
University of Texas Medical Branch (Austin) Program
Hospital Type: Community Teaching
Program Director(s): Beth W. Miller, MD
Send correspondence to:
Brackenridge Hospital
Internal Medicine Department
601 East 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
ACP Chapter Code: TXS
Phone: (512) 324-7863
Fax: (512) 477-8933
E-mail: [email protected]
Program Size: 41; PGY1: 21

I didn't interview there, nor go to UTMB, but I hear it's a smaller community-type program, definitely a notch below a program like USF in "prestige," simply because there's not an academic medical center (yes I know UTMB students rotate there, but still). I don't know how well you'd do matching at a fellowship from there. The academic programs in Texas are: BCM, UTSW and then UT Houston, UT San Antonio, UTMB in Galveston, Texas Tech (Lubbock or El Paso), Scott and White/Texas A&M in Temple.