Couple things, all opinions of course:
1. You should take step 2 ASAP. I think you are taking yourself out of the game if you don't take step 2 and have a score before interviews go out. You need to do well on step 2 to show that you can make a huge improvement and will be more heavily considered in my opinion with your average to low-average step 1 score. If you look at some of the old match excel sheet data on this site, people that matched with your step 1 score generally had 250+ on step 2 to make up for it.
2. I would hesitate to use one of you away rotations/months at Rush. I say that because it is one of the higher end/top programs in the country that puts a big focus on research. They may not screen or have criteria for who they let rotate. Even with a great rotation I would think you would struggle to end up very high on their list considering you would be competing against some of the top step 1 scores and accomplished researchers come interview time. I think you would be better off rotating at some mid-tier programs where you will be more competitive and where they will be more likely to overlook stats if you have a good rotation and are well liked.
3. This game (yes game) is all about how you play it. Applicants generally fall into two categories in my opinion: the first are the group that have great board scores, perfect grades and good research. These applicants can afford to apply to all the top places, go to competitive programs for aways and won't struggle to match unless they have zero social skills or are egotistical maniacs and rub people the wrong way. They generally don't have to rely on away rotations to feel comfortable matching. You fall into the second category. This group of applicants have average scores, average extracurriculars, average research. I don't use average in an insulting way (this was the group I was in if you look at my posts) but that it makes it harder to stand out in a large crowd. This group has the best change at matching at their home program or an away rotation (provided the away rotation is reasonable given the complete application). The aways give you a change to make a personal impression, show you can work hard and that you pick things up quickly and that you are easy to get along with and will be a team player. You can make an impression and get a good personal letter that can help come interview time. You need to be realistic in picking an away. Some will say to pick a safe away and a reach away. For you, especially if you don't have a step 2 score by interview time, I don't think a reach program like Rush is a wise decision.
You can take or leave this advice as you'd like or feel free to PM me. You in particular have to be smart with where you apply, where you do aways and when you take Step 2.
As for being female there may be a slight advantage, particularly at places that haven't had a female in the program in awhile and are specifically looking for that but also works against you at programs who have had a history of being burned by taking females or that continue to be boys clubs. Just don't delude yourself into thinking that because you are female that you will have an easier time matching, it just isn't the case. You may get an extra interview or two compared to a male with the same exact stats but that doesn't not mean you are a lock to match. So keep that in mind.
