MD Will A 233 STEP1 Score Bar Me from applying to Surgery and/or Diagnostic Radiology?

[driveahead123]

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Hi guys, undecided M3 student here. I was hoping my STEP score could help me decide which specialty I can realistically apply to and not. I have interest in surgery and also radiology and I was wondering if my Step 1 score (233) makes me competitive to for the following fields: General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, or Diagnostic Radiology? Let me know which fields I can say Hasta La Vista for good.

Thank You!

 

[SouthernGent]

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Charting-Outcomes-in-the-Match-2018-Seniors.pdf

Has the answers you need.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

FFS

 

[driveahead123]

Thank You @SouthernGent and @AnatomyGrey12

Any clue about competitiveness for Urology? It's not listed in NRMP match outcomes

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Depends on what the rest of your app looks like. Go to the uro sub form and see if you can get some advice from a resident, they’ll be able to help you better than we can. A 233 doesn’t disqualify you from anything.

 

[libertyyne]

Urology average is probably in the mid 240s.

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

Hi guys, undecided M3 student here. I was hoping my STEP score could help me decide which specialty I can realistically apply to and not. I have interest in surgery and also radiology and I was wondering if my Step 1 score (233) makes me competitive to for the following fields: General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, or Diagnostic Radiology? Let me know which fields I can say Hasta La Vista for good.

Thank You!

Urology is essentially out - your odds of matching even if the rest of your application is great, are low. 233 is likely to be screened out at most places.

Vascular is a maybe - assuming you are strong in the rest of your application and have good research/aways/letters you can probably make it. A lot depends on the specific year and # of applicants since the specialty is so small. Regardless, if you work hard for the next year, you should have a decent shot at matching somewhere.

Diagnostic Radiology you will for sure match - However, you might not get your dream program, but will likely match somewhere decent/reputable.

General Surgery you are strong for - Your step 1 is essentially average and you will match just fine at a decent program.

 

[driveahead123]

Thanks for sharing @libertyyne. I can cross off one specialty from my list of indecisiveness.

Urology is essentially out - your odds of matching even if the rest of your application is great, are low. 233 is likely to be screened out at most places.

Vascular is a maybe - assuming you are strong in the rest of your application and have good research/aways/letters you can probably make it. A lot depends on the specific year and # of applicants since the specialty is so small. Regardless, if you work hard for the next year, you should have a decent shot at matching somewhere.

Diagnostic Radiology you will for sure match - However, you might not get your dream program, but will likely match somewhere decent/reputable.

General Surgery you are strong for - Your step 1 is essentially average and you will match just fine at a decent program.

Thank You for the feedback @Dr. Doctor MD I really appreciate it!

 

[NotaCop]

Thank You @SouthernGent and @AnatomyGrey12

Any clue about competitiveness for Urology? It's not listed in NRMP match outcomes

Ignore poster above, they are wrong re:uro screening. Most uro screens out below 230, top 1/4 to 1/3 screen out below 240, top tier screen below 250.

230+ is quite below average (mid 240s is the common belief) but not a death sentence. If you have strong research, letters, good aways, and apply broadly you can have a shot. If you’re DO/IMG give up though.

Source: have spoken to many uro PDs. I know via firsthand account that many great programs (UNC-tier for example) screen at 230, not a higher cutoff

The field is small enough where the other stuff can make a real difference. Keyword can, not “will”. Match rate is still low, competitiveness on par with the other surgical subs. Be strategic and you’ll maximize your chances, but be sure to also have a backup

 

[kinjin24]

People will actually tell you that a 240 will be hard to match. How in the world can you not apply to uro with a 233? Lmao

 

[7331poas]

Ignore poster above, they are wrong re:uro screening. Most uro screens out below 230, top 1/4 to 1/3 screen out below 240, top tier screen below 250.

230+ is quite below average (mid 240s is the common belief) but not a death sentence. If you have strong research, letters, good aways, and apply broadly you can have a shot. If you’re DO/IMG give up though.

Source: have spoken to many uro PDs. I know via firsthand account that many great programs (UNC-tier for example) screen at 230, not a higher cutoff

The field is small enough where the other stuff can make a real difference. Keyword can, not “will”. Match rate is still low, competitiveness on par with the other surgical subs. Be strategic and you’ll maximize your chances, but be sure to also have a backup

Just because you make it past the screen does not mean you will match. In fact, how good of a applicant will you be if you are legitimately worried that a computer will screen your application?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Ignore poster above, they are wrong re:uro screening. Most uro screens out below 230, top 1/4 to 1/3 screen out below 240, top tier screen below 250.

230+ is quite below average (mid 240s is the common belief) but not a death sentence. If you have strong research, letters, good aways, and apply broadly you can have a shot. If you’re DO/IMG give up though.

Source: have spoken to many uro PDs. I know via firsthand account that many great programs (UNC-tier for example) screen at 230, not a higher cutoff

The field is small enough where the other stuff can make a real difference. Keyword can, not “will”. Match rate is still low, competitiveness on par with the other surgical subs. Be strategic and you’ll maximize your chances, but be sure to also have a backup

Given that the OP is clearly indecisive, I think it’s safe to say he/she likely doesn’t have the research and networking in urology that would be necessary to offset a below average step score. I think it’s safe to cross that one off.

 

[NotaCop]

Given that the OP is clearly indecisive, I think it’s safe to say he/she likely doesn’t have the research and networking in urology that would be necessary to offset a below average step score. I think it’s safe to cross that one off.

Agreed. My response was mainly just to point out inaccuracy in the post I quoted. Truth be told I didn’t even read the OP. Ah the perils of browsing SDN at night...