MS3 advice

[Guest]

(08-19-2018, 06:46 PM)Guest Wrote: Hey guys, 

Been googling incessantly since I got my step 1 score and just wanted some advice on how to proceed based on my scores/resume
7 written pubs
4 oral presentations 
2 posters
cofirst 2nd name or 2nd author on almost all

225 step 1 
got by all preclinicals with a P

Another thing I'd add is you're going to need your chair or a mentor to make a few calls for you at programs you're really interested in (and competitive for). There will be a good amount of programs with a 230 cut off point, but a call from a respected surgeon vouching for you can get you that interview

[Guest]

Thanks for all the advice so far

My mentor at Mayo and my home institution said that they would be willing to make calls for me

What programs would I be competitive for? I went through every program in the nation's eligibility requirements a couple days ago and a lot don't write their step 1 requirement. How would I find this out? Also, would it behoove me to start contacting program directors at programs that I'm interested in so I can establish a relationship? If so how do I go about it?

Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions but I sincerely thank you all for the advice.

I should add, I have also gotten the NREF fellowship previously and all my pubs are in neurosurgery (both GBM and spine) and I'm also a reviewer for 2 neuro journals and I started a AANS chapter at my school. Basically, everything I have done since my freshman year of college has been directed towards neurosurgery and I have a lot of personal reasons why I'm driven towards it- I'm hoping that will go a long way but I guess a little unsure?

[Guest]

you may get courtesy interviews because of those calls, but you should be prepared for the worst. Get 260+ on Step 2, pump out more research, come from a good home program, and you'll have a shot. 225 on step 1 is a big hill to climb my friend.

[Guest]

how bad is 239

[Guest]

(08-24-2018, 12:45 PM)Guest Wrote: how bad is 239

Probably won't match at a top program unless you have connections and/or strong basic science papers but if you are a normal person without any other red flags you have a great chance of matching somewhere.

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(08-24-2018, 12:45 PM)Guest Wrote: how bad is 239

Looking at the raw data, in 2018 US seniors (without a PhD) with 230-239 had a 76% chance of matching (22/29 applicants), with the next block of 240-249 having a 89% chance of matching (40/45 applicants).

So, you may be screened out of some top programs by being just under the 240 cutoff, but you're chances likely fall somewhere between the 76-89% match rate based on step 1.