people aren't answering because it's too tough a question to answer without knowing more details ... i.e., it's very case to case. but i'll try and give you something rough to go on. two or three years ago, 230 was sort of a standard number people threw around as "a score that would not hurt you at most programs if you're applying for competitive specialties like ortho." at least, that's what people told me. that would suggest to me then that 225 is probably a very respectable score for medicine ... although again, the competitive programs operate on a whole other level, so the MGHs of the world may think that's so-so. that and i say 2 or 3 years ago because scores seem to have gone up a good 5 or 10 points since 4 or 5 years ago ... but people's perceptions are slow to change.
that said, i don't think 225 will hurt you. it will be a score, people will glance at it and move on.
what that means is that the rest of your application will have to carry you then. if you're applying to derm, or ortho, or plastics ... you try like crazy to score at least above 230, and preferably higher ... 235, 240, etc ... because those fields are so competitive that every little bit helps. still, in pretty much every field, step 1 scores matter a lot yet not much ... meaning they can break you, but they can't make you. if you have an excellent application and are great in person, people will talk about the 235 or 240 like it's incredible. if you have an average app, and are just ok in person, that score will just be seen in passing, and interpreted as "good test-taker."
so ... in your case ... take a close look at your app, *including* how you present in person. if you have a reasonably solid app, then 225 may be all right ... it won't hurt you. however, if your app is "all right," *and* you have the confidence and gusto to work your butt off and kill step 2, it *might* be worth it. might. you're really at that transition zone, so it's hard to say -- for the competitive medicine programs. however, a 225 will *not* stop you from matching, and will almost surely not stop you from matching at a very good program.
lastly, just a general tip ... look at trying to match as a 2 to 3 step process. the first is getting interviews ... so think of it that way. you don't have to be amazing ... you just have to be good enough to catch their eyes and be one of the 50 or 100 or whatever number the program interviews. then, the second step is showing up and knocking their socks off with your personal presence. the last is the mish-mosh that happens between interview and rank day ... but that's to think about later.
hope that helps ... good luck.
b
