what internal medicine program levels can I compete for?

[pantherpride1]

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I go to a top 30 medical school in the US and have been getting mainly passes and a few high passes in my classes (we have the honors, high pass, pass, low pass fail system). I am pretty average in the class, with a step 1 score of 223. I have some volunteer experiences and 1-2 research projects. I was wondering if I should worry about getting into a residency program for IM, and what level of residency program I should shoot for/have a chance to get into. (I'm thinking somewhere on the East coast, like MUSC, UVA)

 

[alpinism]

No reason to worry. Apply broadly an you should be fine.

Just don't count on getting interviews from top programs (MGH, Hopkins, Penn, Duke, etc...)

 

[bakedbeans18]

No reason to worry. Apply broadly an you should be fine.

Just don't count on getting interviews from top programs (MGH, Hopkins, Penn, Duke, etc...)

alpinism, What kind of step scores do you need to try and secure IM interviews at places like MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF, etc.?

 

[MedBound1]

alpinism, What kind of step scores do you need to try and secure IM interviews at places like MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF, etc.?

240

 

[Snoopy2006]

alpinism, What kind of step scores do you need to try and secure IM interviews at places like MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF, etc.?

In addition to the Step 1 score, the absolute top-tier programs above typically want to see honors in your IM rotation. A series of passes during your 3rd year won't cut it at the top programs. It's not an absolute weed-out, but a good rule of thumb.

To the OP: barring any red flags, you'll match into IM if you apply broadly and intelligently. With the limited data we have, your application looks fine. Not above average, but fine for IM. UVa is a strong program, but unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with the East Coast programs to know if it would be a true reach or not. There will be WAMC threads in your application year that will help.

 

[Elixir6]

240

Hello Medbound1, Alpinism and Snoopy2006,

Would any of you be able to further elaborate on Medbound1's assertion of a 240 Step 1 to get an interview at the top IM programs (MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF)? In your opinion is a 240 on Step 1 the minimum cutoff or is it as though a 240 with no red flags is a definite interview?

I am in the 240s but I've been worried that might be too low for the top IM programs. I am planning on doubling down for Step 2 and trying to score >250 there.

 

[Smokemont]

Hello Medbound1, Alpinism and Snoopy2006,

Would any of you be able to further elaborate on Medbound1's assertion of a 240 Step 1 to get an interview at the top IM programs (MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF)? In your opinion is a 240 on Step 1 the minimum cutoff or is it as though a 240 with no red flags is a definite interview?

I am in the 240s but I've been worried that might be too low for the top IM programs. I am planning on doubling down for Step 2 and trying to score >250 there.

I have seen 240 thrown around as a possible cut off score for screening the large number of applicants that top programs are likely to get. Programs need a way to filter large numbers of applicants and step 1, while not the best, is the most objective.

 

[Snoopy2006]

Hello Medbound1, Alpinism and Snoopy2006,

Would any of you be able to further elaborate on Medbound1's assertion of a 240 Step 1 to get an interview at the top IM programs (MGH, JHU, The Brigham, UCSF)? In your opinion is a 240 on Step 1 the minimum cutoff or is it as though a 240 with no red flags is a definite interview?

I am in the 240s but I've been worried that might be too low for the top IM programs. I am planning on doubling down for Step 2 and trying to score >250 there.

240 is a good rule of thumb cutoff but slightly dated. If you pay attention to the IM match threads to get a general feel for overall trends, IM is skyrocketing in competitiveness (in just very recent years). 240 is not a definite interview at those programs, not even close. Those programs can afford to be choosy beyond just Step scores. You'd need honors in your IM rotation, strong letters, and AOA status will help (although not required).

For those top programs (MGH, JHU), I'd use 250 as a more reasonable goal. I won't call it a cutoff, because there are people that interview with lower scores, but a 250+ seems to be characteristic of the residents that match at those programs.

It's expected for you to jump about 10 points on your Step 2 exam. If you're in the 240s and truly want to elevate the status of your application, aim for the 260s on Step 2. 250s will confirm the strength of your application but may not move the needle as much.

 

[Elixir6]

240 is a good rule of thumb cutoff but slightly dated. If you pay attention to the IM match threads to get a general feel for overall trends, IM is skyrocketing in competitiveness (in just very recent years). 240 is not a definite interview at those programs, not even close. Those programs can afford to be choosy beyond just Step scores. You'd need honors in your IM rotation, strong letters, and AOA status will help (although not required).

For those top programs (MGH, JHU), I'd use 250 as a more reasonable goal. I won't call it a cutoff, because there are people that interview with lower scores, but a 250+ seems to be characteristic of the residents that match at those programs.

It's expected for you to jump about 10 points on your Step 2 exam. If you're in the 240s and truly want to elevate the status of your application, aim for the 260s on Step 2. 250s will confirm the strength of your application but may not move the needle as much.

Thanks Snoopy. I appreciate it. I should have studied a bit longer for Step 1 as my score was still slowly climbing/not plateaued out :-S

Well, I was young and dumb. Now I'm still young and probably dumb but less so.

Thankfully - I have a PhD coming. I'm looking to ace my clerkships (fingers crossed)

Elixir