Question on Residency and Step 1 score

[keithchappell]

I was curious, as a FMG with a Step 1 score of 218, that puts me only 2 points above the currently reported national US and Canadian Average of 216. What kind of residencies match up to a 218 step 1? I realize I still have clinical years ahead of me, LORs, Dean's letter, step 2 to consider, but I can't help but think of what kind of residencies may or may not be availble to me. Can anyone drop me a couple ideas or direct me to a website with some information? Thanks
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[miasma]

from what i hear, 218 is a very decent score, you should be happy. and i don't really think that anyone can "match" any specialties with any given score, it's really more than board scores, as many other factors come into play. but be happy that you are past step 1, and achieved an above average score, be proud of that. good luck in clinicals.

[keithchappell]

Thanks for the positive note. I realize the road before me is hard, but I a determined hiker (excuse the lame analogy). I do look forward to clinicals and all the other puzzle pieces that create my future, but I was just trying to get a peak into some ideas. Thanks again
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[homerbrave]

Originally Posted by *****chappell

I was curious, as a FMG with a Step 1 score of 218, that puts me only 2 points above the currently reported national US and Canadian Average of 216. What kind of residencies match up to a 218 step 1? I realize I still have clinical years ahead of me, LORs, Dean's letter, step 2 to consider, but I can't help but think of what kind of residencies may or may not be availble to me. Can anyone drop me a couple ideas or direct me to a website with some information? Thanks
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With your step 1 scores:

You will match in IM, Peds., Psych., FP, Ob/gyn at very good to excellent programs.

Anesthisiology, PMR, ER at community programs. Maybe Surgery or orthopedic ( yes, u read it right) at a community program also.

Radiology- risky.

ENT, derm., opth., radio. oncology, urology- very very low chance to even get 1 interview.

Keep in mind i'm assuming your step 2 scores will be the same or slightly higher, and you will have great LORs, perform well in electives, have very good to excellent clinical grades, and you interview well.

[keithchappell]

Thanks, a good insight. It provides a field of vision on the issue. I appreciate your feedback
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[keithchappell]

Any other feedback about scores and residencies would be great. Thank you.
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[Picard]

Your offshore school of graduation WILL also play an important role.

Ortho should be in the "near impossible" category along with Ophtho, derm, with a 218 score. Average ortho match from the US school I teach now is in the 240+ range. I do have classmates (IMG's) who are orthopods now. All of them had Step I scores in the 250 range.

Anesthesiology is getting tougher and tougher every year. By the time you apply for residency, it may be tough for offshore IMG's. Same goes for ER.

P

[keithchappell]

Thanks Picard, FMG is in itself with its limitations, but I have noticed its not void advantages. Personally, I am sort of an international school junky.

Speaking of which, how does one's undergraduate education/universities and degrees play into the residency selection? Personally, the road to medicine was not a well mapped course for me, but I beleive I have strong (although very non-medical) undergraduate credentials. For example, my sometimes eclectic education ranges from a Harvard teaching certificate to Medieval Literature Scholarships at Queen's University in the UK or later working for the DEP as conservational researcher on endangered species to a history of atheletics really taking off with my olympic experience in '94 as U-18 Goalkeeper for the US soccer team. I sometimes don't know how I am where I am, but that this is exactly where I need to be. I know I was never from a family of doctors (I will be the first), and I did not take any medical realted fields in undergrade (I came to point where I had to take my MCAT without even taking Physics). The point being, I don't even know how one's undergraduate education or excurricular activities, or previous jobs are even connected to residencies, if at all. Does anyone know? Its nice to hear feedback, because everyone's advice and perspective are informational. So here I begin this road with a weird educational background, as an FMG with a 218 step 1....

Thanks for all the input, its useful.

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