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How are other "average" applicants doing?

  • texagortho
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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #31902 by texagortho
How are other "average" applicants doing? was created by texagortho
With the rumors of everyone applying much more broadly than normal I was curious to see how fellow "average" applicants are doing so far.

Home program - South, not a "top tier" school
Step 1: 240-245
Step 2: 240-245
Honors or High Pass in pre-clinicals and clinicals
1 pub, non ortho, no name journal

Interviews so far: places I rotated, two geographically close schools people on here tend to not even mention, and one interview at a program a few states away (surprised by this)
Surprisingly I haven't received any in state interviews except my own program.

How is everyone else doing this cycle?

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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #26002 by
I'm glad someone started this post. From talking to ppl, it seems like there are many of us that are concerned where the "avg ortho applicant" stands, I hope this thread helps.

Home program: North East-mid tier school
Step 1: 230-235
Step 2: 255-260
Honors and HP on pre and clinicals
4 non-ortho puds, 3 ortho pubs, most in mid-upper tier journals

Interviews so far: 2 out of state (mid west, middle-tier) at places I didn't rotate at, the rest were my rotating programs.

I'd encourage people to post, and not to be concerned about scores and such. I'm not proud of my Step 1 score, but I posted in the hopes that it would help out other people and its just a number in the end.

Cheers

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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #61 by bonetrauma2
Alright, I'll play.

Home program: Midwest, not top-tier
Step 1: 235-240
Step 2: 250-255
Honors in all preclinicals/clinicals except for 2 HPs, AOA
1 non-ortho pub in upper tier journal, couple of research presentations, strong ECs

Interviews: 3 from away rotations, 3 others from north/midwest programs (6 total). 5 waitlists.

Starting to get a bit worried about the prospect of matching. Hoping to get off a couple of waitlists and get a few more from programs that haven't offered yet. I knew this was going to be stressful, especially with my stats, but man this is brutal.

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11 years 8 months ago #32025 by OwnTheBone
Replied by OwnTheBone on topic Interviews
I've been interested in this too, so I will contribute...

Home program: One of the Texas med schools
Step 1: Low 250s
Step 2: Mid 230s
Half honors, half high pass in preclinicals, all high pass in clinicals, no AOA
1 non-ortho pub in random journal, couple of research presentations

Interviews: 3 from programs I rotated at. 3 others from geographically "close" programs with 3 on waitlist.

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11 years 8 months ago #32276 by TheCatalyst
Replied by TheCatalyst on topic .
They certainly are, Diggidy, and thank goodness haha The guys at my program (myself included) are a big ole crop of basic, average dudes, and it started off mad slow. Thankfully we're all slowly closing in on 10. Still extra humbling though.

The one thing of which I think we weren't advised is just how humbling the whole thing is. We here about the average scores for everyone who matches, the avg pubs, and how AOA isn't essential. So you meet those certain criteria and apply thinking you've got all your ducks in a row. "Top ten" program, here I come.

But what we dont realize is that the stats of those who match at the ultra-competitive/"big-name" programs probably far exceed those averages. Subsequently, we feel those big-name serial rejections and get all "wtf?". Meanwhile, the good-ole-reliable, solid, "middle-of-the-road" programs we tend to overlook are where we're most likely more competitive for.

So for the progeny: if you're an average guy/gal, tailor your expectations. Be prepared for ish to start MAD slowly. But hopefully - and evidently, judging by this year - you'll end up getting some love from some overlooked places.

(and if you're below average, apply everywhere, be emotionally prepared, and pray/get to writing a million "I Love You" letters).

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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #32280 by bonetrauma2
Check out charting outcomes in the match 2014. It will have many of the questions you are asking as far as averages for all of the major ERAS categories. Last year the matched average for step 1 was 245, step 2 was 251. It sounds like from your other posts your step 1 won't be any sort of issue so I wouldn't start worrying about research years or prelim years as you mentioned in your other post. Focus on 3rd year grades for now and don't spend time worrying about the match and research years just yet, you will have plenty of time to obsess about it in 6-9 months.

No one can know for sure what those top applicants have because the process is so random as you will find out. They likely have steps 255+, and fill a lot of categories (research, ECs, volunteer, work experiences) or some unique feature that makes them stand out or that a reviewer can relate to.
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by bonetrauma2.

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