What is a competitive score?

[MoscowAbe]

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SDN scores are just over the top for the majority of test takers. So for all the average people out there what is a good cutoff score to begin to say that you are competitive?

 

[Ookluh]

Depends what specialty, region, etc you're interested in.. 240+ is above the average for pretty much everything, so that may be a good cutoff if you're trying to keep all options open. 230+ is still a pretty solid score for most specialties, and 220 may only hurt the most in the most competitive specialties.

 

[2012mdc]

SDN scores are just over the top for the majority of test takers. So for all the average people out there what is a good cutoff score to begin to say that you are competitive?

See this, specifically pg 13

http://www.aamc.org/programs/cim/chartingoutcomes.pdf

230 is competitive for most specialties and while not ideal for the most competitive it does not prevent you from matching somewhere (i.e I know someone who matched in Ortho with a 231, non AOA)

240 makes you competitive for all specialties

I feel like 250+ makes your Step 1 score as one of the strengths of your app

 

[lord_jeebus]

If you are interested in a particular competitive program in a competitive specialty, I think there is no limit to the benefit of a higher Step I. My program is in a good location but probably is not the most competitive, and is in a field that is not that competitive (Anesthesiology). Our residents still average in the low 240s and many applicants with higher scores than that are not ranked high enough to match.

I would guess that at the most competitive programs in fields like Derm, Plastics, ENT, and RadOnc, a 260 gives some advantage over 250, and 270 probably has an additional wow-factor.

 

[aa62]

If you are interested in a particular competitive program in a competitive specialty, I think there is no limit to the benefit of a higher Step I.

a 260+ score may actually hurt your chances in ER .

seriously though,

- 265+ = you cheated 😛.
- 250+ = you have your pick of any specialty and program (assuming you continue your success throughout medical school; i.e.: good step II scores, evals and LORs...and you have good interview skills).
- 240+ = opens the doors for any specialty and program (but nothing is guaranteed).
- 220-235 = solid score, but may not be competitive enough for dermatology, ENT, ophthalmology, radio-onc or plastics or orthopedic surgery.
- 205-220 = cutting it close for most competitive programs in Anesthesiology, ER, Gen Surgery, ER, OBGyn
- <205 = Family Medicine, Pediatrics or Psychiatry.

 

[Law2Doc]

SDN scores are just over the top for the majority of test takers. So for all the average people out there what is a good cutoff score to begin to say that you are competitive?

Mid 220s or better you will have a shot at anything, including the less competitive programs in the most competitive fields.. If you have something in that range you probably will have to interview at places all over the country and be willing to travel if you want something competitive. Over 230 and your Step 1 is no longer an issue for anyplace, and the rest of your app becomes the focus. but certainly higher is better.

 

[topscorer]

how would you say step 2 could factor into any of this

do you have to make the step 1 cutoff before your step 2 is even looked at as second part of ur app

or are they averaged before cutoff hopefully?

i notice you group radio-onc as one of the competitive ones.

i was under impression radio was hard and radio-onc was more variable

am i mixing them up, what if you were interested in radio with 228. not radio-onc, interesting, but lotta suffering depressing death from what i hear??

 

[aa62]

there is a debate as to what is more important - step I or step II; the selection by a program varies greatly. A few will factor all things near-equally (i.e.: bsgpa, step scores, clinical evals, LORs etc.), and then base their decision on your interview; but for the most part, I believe most programs use a cutoff system leading up to the interview - and the vast majority of these programs use step 1 as their first cutoff measure.

both radiology and radio-oncology are fairly competitive, though I believe radio-onc is more competitive (could be wrong?).
My cousin got into a good radiology program about three years ago, and he scored 240+; to be honest I think >230 will be borderline competitive...but like I said, some programs will factor all things considering.