What is considered a 'redeeming' Step 2 CK Score

[ozarka2012]

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I ran across similar threads, but FM was discussed.

I"m applying to Gen Surgery this year. My Step 1 was 191, and Step 2 CK was 225. I'm also 4th quartile. There were some very serious personal life issues going on the first couple of years, but I improved substantially during third year.

My question is whether my Step 2 is enough to be considered "redeeming" of my Step 1.

I've applied to 47 programs thus far.

-O

 

[zstranger2]

US grad?


If not, good luck!

 

[winkleweizen]

I ran across similar threads, but FM was discussed.

I"m applying to Gen Surgery this year. My Step 1 was 191, and Step 2 CK was 225. I'm also 4th quartile. There were some very serious personal life issues going on the first couple of years, but I improved substantially during third year.

My question is whether my Step 2 is enough to be considered "redeeming" of my Step 1.

I've applied to 47 programs thus far.

-O

Well its certainly better then your step 1. if I were youi would make sure that I applied to a ton of the lesser competitve gs pr ograms

 

[peedr]

Gen surg average for step 1 is 222 from what I recall. I don't know what their average step 2 is, but I'd assume along those lines that its close to 230. I dont think the 225 is extraordinary for gen surg, but it definitely shows that you can do much better than your step 1. I'm willing to bet many people have matched successfully with those stats (who are US grads). Hopefully you have some research going for you too or something outside of grades and board scores. Good luck!

 

[medcrazytrain]

I ran across similar threads, but FM was discussed.

I"m applying to Gen Surgery this year. My Step 1 was 191, and Step 2 CK was 225. I'm also 4th quartile. There were some very serious personal life issues going on the first couple of years, but I improved substantially during third year.

My question is whether my Step 2 is enough to be considered "redeeming" of my Step 1.

I've applied to 47 programs thus far.

-O

I have a very good friend, like a father figure to me - known this guy for years. I didn't know it at the time I befriended him but found out he is not only the Chair of the General and Trauma Surgery dept., but is also the Residency Coordinator for the Surgery program at a very prominent med institution.

Anyway the point of this story is one day he and I were talking and he said he asks all potential residents when they come in for interview, "What do you consider your greatest failure in life?" When he said this to me I looked away and said, "jeez, I'd have to think about which one was the worst!" He laughed and responded with - "this is a tester question. If the person answers with - oh I've never had any failures, their application goes directly to the very bottom of the pile!" Experiencing failures or set backs is part of being human. If you don't have either then you are suspect!

You WILL succeed. You WILL get what you want out of life. Don't give up!

 

[OveractiveBrain]

I ran across similar threads, but FM was discussed.

I"m applying to Gen Surgery this year. My Step 1 was 191, and Step 2 CK was 225. I'm also 4th quartile. There were some very serious personal life issues going on the first couple of years, but I improved substantially during third year.

My question is whether my Step 2 is enough to be considered "redeeming" of my Step 1.

I've applied to 47 programs thus far.

-O

I tutored a girl, 3rd quartile, 212 Step 1. She got a 230. She got many interviews at lower tier surgery programs, and a couple of university programs (non name brands). She is now at her state-school university program as a general surgeon. She was specifically told that it was her Step 2 score that got her the interviews.

You will have difficulty in obtaining interviews. You should go after low-end no-name community programs. AND, be prepared to do an undesignated prelim year, maybe two. There are programs that have you work as if you are in the residency, and, if a spot opens, you can have it. Alternatively, you bolster your resume and show experience, whereby you restart residency all over again. A 7 year gen surg residency is better than a 0 year no residency.

Good luck!

 

[ozarka2012]

Thanks for the replies. Just a bit of additional info...
I'm a US grad; have 5 published papers (one first-author); several poster presentations; I've also been pretty active in my community. Also, 2 of my letters are from department chairs (in surgery). One of these two has known me for the last 3 years (including the "rough patch").

I know it's still going to be an up-hill battle, but your additional thoughts are welcome.

-O

 

[zstranger2]

Thanks for the replies. Just a bit of additional info...
I'm a US grad; have 5 published papers (one first-author); several poster presentations; I've also been pretty active in my community. Also, 2 of my letters are from department chairs (in surgery). One of these two has known me for the last 3 years (including the "rough patch").

I know it's still going to be an up-hill battle, but your additional thoughts are welcome.

-O

That is all you need, especially if you are White. Look, your home school surgery department is sure to interview you. They have no option. There is nothing to worry about. You are not getting interviewed at Penn . . . we know that already. But it is hard to see how big state universities would turn you down.

Stop stressing out. According to the 2011 NRMP, with your step 1, you have >45% chance of matching, not high of course but way higher than that of an IMG with 260. Put that in perspective. And your Step 2 is about average for Gen Surg, with more that 85% chance of matching. You will get in somewhere, just apply broadly.

 

[winkleweizen]

That is all you need, especially if you are White. Look, your home school surgery department is sure to interview you. They have no option. There is nothing to worry about. You are not getting interviewed at Penn . . . we know that already. But it is hard to see how big state universities would turn you down.

Stop stressing out. According to the 2011 NRMP, with your step 1, you have >45% chance of matching, not high of course but way higher than that of an IMG with 260. Put that in perspective. And your Step 2 is about average for Gen Surg, with more that 85% chance of matching. You will get in somewhere, just apply broadly.

No idea what this guys obsession is with color....i think youd have an equivalent chance of matching if you were black., asian, or latino

 

[zstranger2]

No idea what this guys obsession is with color....i think youd have an equivalent chance of matching if you were black., asian, or latino

Yeah right

 

[HopeTo99]

Racism and bias against IMGs....the AMG with a 200 gets chosen over an IMG with a 250. Such is life. The whole IMG thing I get
but the racism...I mean c'mon.

 

[winkleweizen]

Racism and bias against IMGs....the AMG with a 200 gets chosen over an IMG with a 250. Such is life. The whole IMG thing I get
but the racism...I mean c'mon.

How is any of that racism? Thats just a preference for an AMG over an IMG.

 

[ruiner]

Racism and bias against IMGs....the AMG with a 200 gets chosen over an IMG with a 250. Such is life. The whole IMG thing I get
but the racism...I mean c'mon.

bias, not racism. like you said 🙂

 

[Lanolin]

No idea what this guys obsession is with color....i think youd have an equivalent chance of matching if you were black., asian, or latino

If I was a PD I would look for a diverse group of residence (in all definitions). I would want a variety of races, sex, region, etc.. I think it only makes the group stronger at the end.

Just like a 3.0/27 from a URM gets into a great medical school with a scholarship, a 3.0/210 URM will also likely get into a good residency location when they apply. The white 3.0/210 may be in trouble...

Not being racist, just pointing out the fact that schools want a diverse resident body to strengthen the group as a whole.

 

[zstranger2]

If I was a PD I would look for a diverse group of residence (in all definitions). I would want a variety of races, sex, region, etc.. I think it only makes the group stronger at the end.

Just like a 3.0/27 from a URM gets into a great medical school with a scholarship, a 3.0/210 URM will also likely get into a good residency location when they apply. The white 3.0/210 may be in trouble...

Not being racist, just pointing out the fact that schools want a diverse resident body to strengthen the group as a whole.

You need to get your head out of your rear end.

 

[jam23k]

deleted

 

[Lanolin]

You need to get your head out of your rear end.

Whatever you say bro. It happens all the time. Not saying I have an issue with it either.

 

[ozarka2012]

dude...latino...NOW I'M STRESSING OUT MORE!!

Kidding...but seriously, thanks for the responses. I've only gotten 4 categorical and 1 prelim interview. Looks like I'll have to make it work with those 5.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

If I was a PD I would look for a diverse group of residence (in all definitions). I would want a variety of races, sex, region, etc.. I think it only makes the group stronger at the end.

Just like a 3.0/27 from a URM gets into a great medical school with a scholarship, a 3.0/210 URM will also likely get into a good residency location when they apply. The white 3.0/210 may be in trouble...

Not being racist, just pointing out the fact that schools want a diverse resident body to strengthen the group as a whole.

I dont understand the diversity for diversity's sake. I want the most qualified people who believe the same thing I believe in to be on my team. Assessment should be colorless. Hopkins Bayview has this diversity for diversity sake, and everyone said diveristy is great. Why? Because its makes it more diverse. Circular logic...

Who cares if people are diverse? I care more about MERIT, about PERSONALITY, about COMMITTMENT than I do diversity. Why would we take someone less qualified who belives in going home as soon as possible over a more qualified person who believes in doing the right thing for the right reason, even if it violates the rules?

Racism, bias, whatever... it exists. I get it. But there is no benefit to diversity for diversity's sake. Teams should be able to choose teams, for whatever reason that team will work better. If the value of a team is diversity, then fine, take people who believe in diversity. I just personally think there are things that matter more, and, more than likely, you will find diversity in the persuit of something greater than diversity, as evidenced by my current program, for example.

dude...latino...NOW I'M STRESSING OUT MORE!!

Kidding...but seriously, thanks for the responses. I've only gotten 4 categorical and 1 prelim interview. Looks like I'll have to make it work with those 5.

Also... congratulations on your interviews. Pump through it. Let us know when you match!

For other people who might be in your shoes, can you tell us how many interviews you sent out? Are those cat programs university v community? I know your N is only of 1, but feedback to the foum can be huge for other people looking for information!

 

[Transposony]

So who gets selected among these (with everything else on par for arguments sake)--who plays baseball, soccer or cricket ?