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Recent USMLE Score release, What are my chances?

  • chillybones
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19 years 3 weeks ago - 19 years 3 weeks ago #27983 by chillybones
I just recently got my Step 1 score back and made a 239. What are the chances of interviewing, getting an externship, or placement in some of the top programs? I come from a public university in the south with a very strong ortho department. I have some research and may get a publication in the next year. I am also going to be right at the cutoff for AOA, are there programs that only interview AOA members? I have just started my third year. What are some things that I can do to make myself a stronger applicant? Also I have not been able to find much in the way of rankings, what are considered the top programs in the country? And how do you find out the criteria of individual programs. I would hate to do an externship somewhere that only interviewed AOA members and I missed out by one spot. I know it may be a little early for me to be asking these questions, but I would like a little heads up. Thanks for your insight.

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19 years 3 weeks ago - 19 years 3 weeks ago #11779 by
Replied by on topic A step 1 of 239
A step 1 of 239 is high enough where it won't cause you any problems getting interviews at top programs, but remember it is not the only factor. Many students feel that this score is what defines their application, which I think can be a mistake. You need to score well in your core clerkships in third year, especially surgery, internal medicine ( and ortho if you are taking it). If you look at some of the "objective" screening tools that have been released by program directors (the references to these papers are in previous threads) many times third year grades are the most heavily weighted factor, just something to think about.

As far as getting exterships, you should have no problem at all, most programs do not have an extensive screening process to do away rotations. In your case even if they did, you should be able to "pass" it.

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