What can I do to match in 2020?

[Superstitions45]

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Hello everyone,

I am an incoming 4th year US MD. I'm unfortunately one of the worst medical students out there with numerous academic problems throughout school. I failed multiple themes during MS1 and had to repeat the year. After my repeat year, I had to take a year off because of family issues. When I eventually came back for MS2 I scored below average on all of the themes and ended up scoring a 208 on Step 1. MS3 clinicals were subpar this year with no crazy accomplishments and regular passes throughout. I have CK scheduled for July and I'm gonna really study hard to make sure there's considerable improvement over my disappointing Step 1 score. At this point I would be happy with any program that takes me and I know that all I can hope for is FM. With an improved CK score and a passing CS score, do I have a chance at matching FM somewhere? I will literally go anywhere

Thank you very much for any responses

 

[Splenda88]

Apply to 150+ FM programs and call it a day. Go big or go home!

One of my classmates passed both step1 and step 2 on second attempts and matched FM, but he applied to ~200 programs and had 9 invites.

I think you probably will match assuming you pass CK

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

The most controllable things you can do are to do well on step 2 ck, pass cs on first attempt, and apply very broadly

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone,

I am an incoming 4th year US MD. I'm unfortunately one of the worst medical students out there with numerous academic problems throughout school. I failed multiple themes during MS1 and had to repeat the year. After my repeat year, I had to take a year off because of family issues. When I eventually came back for MS2 I scored below average on all of the themes and ended up scoring a 208 on Step 1. MS3 clinicals were subpar this year with no crazy accomplishments and regular passes throughout. I have CK scheduled for July and I'm gonna really study hard to make sure there's considerable improvement over my disappointing Step 1 score. At this point I would be happy with any program that takes me and I know that all I can hope for is FM. With an improved CK score and a passing CS score, do I have a chance at matching FM somewhere? I will literally go anywhere

Thank you very much for any responses

Be a good team player and a decent human being.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Early FM SubI, with (hopefully) a good letter.

 

[Splenda88]

@SchoolBoy30

Did you have any red flags?

 

[Freeinfinity]

Yes improve on your step 2. More importantly you need someone else to advocate for you. You need fantastic letters of recommendation. You also need to work hard these next 4 to 5 months to show that you’re serious about family medicine and that you’re willing to work on all your weaknesses. Need to work well with other people and improve your overall clinical knowledge and apply it. Doing a sub-intern month or two is a good idea. Also make a personal statement that really shows you’ve improved a lot and that shows you want to be a great family med physician. Talk to your dean or your student affairs counselor about how to do all of this if you’re not sure. Also ask your classmates who seem to be successful and who you can trust on what they’re doing and ask yourself if you’re doing those things too and if those things could work for you if you’re not doing them already.

 

[NYCdude]

Which is less competitive these days, FM or Peds?

Might want to look into dual applying to increase your odds.

 

[Splenda88]

Which is less competitive these days, FM or Peds?

Might want to look into dual applying to increase your odds.

I think it's probably a wash...

Path < Ped ~ FM ~ Preventive Medicine < IM

 

[mrbreakfast]

Match rates for Step 1 < 210:

-FM: 92%
-Peds: 97%
-Path: 93%

Pick whichever you like. As long as you can pass your remaining exams, you should match somewhere.