step 1 screening
By Guest on Thursday, 23 August 2007
Posted in Match Center
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posted this earlier in the attending forum but thought some residents might have some inside info on this question.

I have a question regarding the screening process of diff. programs regarding the USMLE. Will I still be screened out by a program with a STEP 1 score below 215 and a STEP 2 score in the 250s? I am competitive in the pre-clinical and clinical grades and also have research so I would hate for my application to not go through b/c of my STEP 1 score. I know many programs use it to screen but I was not sure if STEP 2 could override the application screen. Also, is there any way to get around this if it does not override it?

Thank you
Search 'step 1 cutoffs' and there are about a dozen threads debating this issue. There is no way every program uses the same criteria to select those who interview. Reality is your step 1 will probably prevent you from getting some interviews. I'm sure many schools look at step 2 as well. You're not going to find a definitive answer.
Guest
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18 years ago
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yeah i searched w/ similar key words but could not find anything definite. guess that is your point.
Guest
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18 years ago
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i would say that its your poor search function skills that will keep you out of ortho. just a guess.

http://www.orthogate.org/forums/viewtop ... tep+cutoff
Guest
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18 years ago
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bm, thanks for the link. i will have to work on my search skills. maybe you can send me a power point.
anyway, the link was good but really did not answer many of my questions. according to that link many of those schools did not have cutoffs. also, it did not answer my main question, does my 253 override the step 1 cutoff.

thanks
Guest
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18 years ago
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In my opinion, it will depend on the program. From what I can gather, many programs don't look at step 2 that closely, so many of the people that you will be competing with for interviews will have higher step 1 but no step 2 available. The purpose of a step 1 cutoff is so programs won't have to sort through the rest of your application to see if they want to offer you an interview. There are probably some programs out there that may give you the benefit of the doubt, but I'm willing to bet there are more that will screen you out. Just my opinion. You increase your odds by applying to as many programs as you can. Best of luck.
Guest
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18 years ago
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