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Lower step 1?
#1
I realize neurosurgery is a very competitive match, and the people here often don’t give much lenience on peoples chances but just thought I’d throw the question out there. Got a 234 on step 1 about 13 points Lower than my practice exam average. Anything I can do to improve my chances? Or should I start looking at other options. US MD, won’t get AOA due to step, just started M3 

Mostly looking to see if anyone knows anyone who’s matched with a similar score and has any advice.
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#2
(07-23-2018, 10:13 PM)Advice Wrote: I realize neurosurgery is a very competitive match, and the people here often don’t give much lenience on peoples chances but just thought I’d throw the question out there. Got a 234 on step 1 about 13 points Lower than my practice exam average. Anything I can do to improve my chances? Or should I start looking at other options. US MD, won’t get AOA due to step, just started M3 

Mostly looking to see if anyone knows anyone who’s matched with a similar score and has any advice.

Do you have any research? Does your school have a home program?
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#3
(07-23-2018, 10:13 PM)Advice Wrote: I realize neurosurgery is a very competitive match, and the people here often don’t give much lenience on peoples chances but just thought I’d throw the question out there. Got a 234 on step 1 about 13 points Lower than my practice exam average. Anything I can do to improve my chances? Or should I start looking at other options. US MD, won’t get AOA due to step, just started M3 

Mostly looking to see if anyone knows anyone who’s matched with a similar score and has any advice.

If you can have 2-3 papers by the time you apply you'll match, assuming you have a home program with a chair and PD that will write you good letters. Do three aways: one reach program with a big name chair that writes good letters, one at a similar tier to your medical school, one maybe at an "up and coming program". The average neurosurgery step 1 is 245-249 any given year with a standard deviation of about 13 points. There are a decent amount of FMGs that have 270+ that skew the data. You're not in great shape but a 234 isn't a death sentence. Doing poorly on aways or having no papers might be the nail in the coffin though.
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#4
how bad is a 240?
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#5
(07-24-2018, 10:10 AM)Guest Wrote: how bad is a 240?

To be honest i'm surprised you're still alive
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#6
(07-24-2018, 01:16 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 10:10 AM)Guest Wrote: how bad is a 240?

To be honest i'm surprised you're still alive

<230: chances are slim unless you're an MD-PhD from a top program
230-235: still possible, need papers, good away performances
235-240: decent shot, will probably match
240-250: good chance of matching
250+: redundant, maybe programs like Stanford or Cleveland Clinic who have strict Step cutoffs will invite you
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#7
(07-24-2018, 02:31 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 01:16 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 10:10 AM)Guest Wrote: how bad is a 240?

To be honest i'm surprised you're still alive

<230: chances are slim unless you're an MD-PhD from a top program
230-235: still possible, need papers, good away performances
235-240: decent shot, will probably match
240-250: good chance of matching
250+: redundant, maybe programs like Stanford or Cleveland Clinic who have strict Step cutoffs will invite you


Cleveland clinic cut off is news to me.
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#8
(07-24-2018, 09:29 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 02:31 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 01:16 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 10:10 AM)Guest Wrote: how bad is a 240?

To be honest i'm surprised you're still alive

<230: chances are slim unless you're an MD-PhD from a top program
230-235: still possible, need papers, good away performances
235-240: decent shot, will probably match
240-250: good chance of matching
250+: redundant, maybe programs like Stanford or Cleveland Clinic who have strict Step cutoffs will invite you


Cleveland clinic cut off is news to me.

I think last year they didn't interview anyone under a 240
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#9
I do have a home program and have been working on a few projects with different attendings over the past year hoping to publish soon, however my class does have several people interested in nsg so the internal competition is definitely there. Any programs you guys know of that are more lenient with step 1 scores in particular?
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#10
(07-24-2018, 10:04 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 09:29 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 02:31 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 01:16 PM)Guest Wrote:
(07-24-2018, 10:10 AM)Guest Wrote: how bad is a 240?

To be honest i'm surprised you're still alive

<230: chances are slim unless you're an MD-PhD from a top program
230-235: still possible, need papers, good away performances
235-240: decent shot, will probably match
240-250: good chance of matching
250+: redundant, maybe programs like Stanford or Cleveland Clinic who have strict Step cutoffs will invite you


Cleveland clinic cut off is news to me.

I think last year they didn't interview anyone under a 240

How does this change if I'm a DO student in the high 240s?
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