Low Step 1 Score

[Eater]

I got a 190/77, horrible. I haven't taken step 2. With this kind of score what kinds of difficulties should i expect when it comes to residency? and would a high step 2 score make up for my failure? I wonder if even people with this kind of score can get a residency. Would getting my masters help? Research (if so, how do you even get into research?) I should also add, that I don't have a bachelors degree, nor did i take the MCAT. Im a US citizen, went to a Caribbean school. God I feel like a loser. Maybe I'm not cut out for it?

Thanks for any and all advice in advance

[bookite]

Originally Posted by Eater

I got a 190/77, horrible. I haven't taken step 2. With this kind of score what kinds of difficulties should i expect when it comes to residency? and would a high step 2 score make up for my failure? I wonder if even people with this kind of score can get a residency. Would getting my masters help? Research (if so, how do you even get into research?) I should also add, that I don't have a bachelors degree, nor did i take the MCAT. Im a US citizen, went to a Caribbean school. God I feel like a loser. Maybe I'm not cut out for it?

Thanks for any and all advice in advance

It's not over yet!! It depends on what you are applying for. You might have to cross derm, ortho and a few others off your list but for FM, IM, Peds and Pscyh you still have a shot. Aim high for Step 2 and apply to lots of programs. Whatever you do don't set out to get a masters apply for the match and see what happens.
Good luck

[Skipper]

I know a bunch of people with your scores who matched or prematched in family.

I know some who matched into Peds, Pysch, and community based IM programs with scores like that.

Since you are a US citizen it helps you a out a bit. So study hard and do better on step 2 and you will be fine.

skipper

[dkpwalker]

Originally Posted by Eater

I got a 190/77, horrible. I haven't taken step 2. With this kind of score what kinds of difficulties should i expect when it comes to residency? and would a high step 2 score make up for my failure? I wonder if even people with this kind of score can get a residency. Would getting my masters help? Research (if so, how do you even get into research?) I should also add, that I don't have a bachelors degree, nor did i take the MCAT. Im a US citizen, went to a Caribbean school. God I feel like a loser. Maybe I'm not cut out for it?

Thanks for any and all advice in advance

I got a 78 for my step 1 and unlike you, i am an IMG. I studied hard and got a 99 for step 2 and an 86 for step 3. I was pre-matched to a sweet program in NYC and will start residency end of June in IM. I have no USCE and no research experience, went to a caribbean med school in jamaica. Since you have no visa issues, you should be fine, just try to ace step 2. Good luck.

[TBL2008]

Originally Posted by Eater

I got a 190/77, horrible. I haven't taken step 2. With this kind of score what kinds of difficulties should i expect when it comes to residency? and would a high step 2 score make up for my failure? I wonder if even people with this kind of score can get a residency. Would getting my masters help? Research (if so, how do you even get into research?) I should also add, that I don't have a bachelors degree, nor did i take the MCAT. Im a US citizen, went to a Caribbean school. God I feel like a loser. Maybe I'm not cut out for it?

Thanks for any and all advice in advance

DO NOT panic just yet! The good news is that you didn't fail it... then you would really be in some big trouble. I would do your very best in clinicals, and try to get 'above average' marks on all cores. Study very hard and look into taking a course for Step 2 so that you can improve. Try and obtain the best LORs you can during clinicals and also try and make contacts at the places you rotate for a residency position. Most of these Caribbean core sites are very FMG/IMG friendly.

Many people are in your same position! I would say do NOT waist any time with a master's degree. There is nothing you can do about that score now, but move on and do your best in the future. Like the other poster said, I think the upper and upper/middle range residencies are out but that still leaves many many more opportunities for matching or pre matching.

What were you hoping to get for residency?

[DrunkenDancer]

Originally Posted by Eater

I got a 190/77, horrible. I haven't taken step 2. With this kind of score what kinds of difficulties should i expect when it comes to residency? and would a high step 2 score make up for my failure? I wonder if even people with this kind of score can get a residency. Would getting my masters help? Research (if so, how do you even get into research?) I should also add, that I don't have a bachelors degree, nor did i take the MCAT. Im a US citizen, went to a Caribbean school. God I feel like a loser. Maybe I'm not cut out for it?

Thanks for any and all advice in advance

Unfortunately, this is a strike against you, there are score cutoffs for the most prestigious program which rarely interview caribbean grads with stellar stats, doing excellently on the step examinations is one of the few ways that a caribbean grad can show their worth. A US grad with a similar score is having a bad day, while for you Program Directors might conclude that you have had life long academic problems or don't find medicine appealing. . . No one will tell you that you can't do something, you'll find out if you apply and have difficulty securing a residency year after year, sort of like no one will tell Hillary to quit, she has to decide for herself. Focus hard on studies but realize you have an uphill battle, . . .

[Skipper]

Originally Posted by DrunkenDancer

Unfortunately, this is a strike against you, there are score cutoffs for the most prestigious program which rarely interview caribbean grads with stellar stats, doing excellently on the step examinations is one of the few ways that a caribbean grad can show their worth. A US grad with a similar score is having a bad day, while for you Program Directors might conclude that you have had life long academic problems or don't find medicine appealing. . . No one will tell you that you can't do something, you'll find out if you apply and have difficulty securing a residency year after year, sort of like no one will tell Hillary to quit, she has to decide for herself. Focus hard on studies but realize you have an uphill battle, . . .

yes, if his/her goal is only prestigious programs. if he is applying to community based programs he will get interviews, especially if he/she improves his step 2.

skipper

[Eater]

I am really looking forward to doing a residency in pathology...nothing fancy, i prefer small towns, more of a community atmosphere. I'm not saying that i dont want to be great, but even if i got a 99 I still would feel the same way about the residency and place i would prefer to practice. Thank again for all the advice! it is well appreciated!

[TBL2008]

Oh gosh...Path? That is going to be a up hill battle. I would look at the FMG friendly places. Make sure to do your elective early so that you have LORs ready for early application to the match. Push for a pre match when ever you see the opportunity during interviews as well. What match are you going for, 2010?

[trauma]

Pathology would be tougher. But I have a friend who has a lower Step 1 score than that and got into a FP program. IM is not yet out of the picture but not the bigger university programs. If you can score better on your step 2 and do well in your clinicals, it's not the end of the road.