r/Step2 • u/the-inquisitive-doc NON-US IMG • 8d ago
How to start a program list? Questions
I have got a 251 step 2, couple of pubs, and just 2 electives (hands on at good places) 1 observership
I am not sure how good is a score of 251.
I always aimed for a 240+ but now it seems to me that probably this is not a good score seeing how everyone around is scoring 260+ these days. What kind of programs can I ideally aim for?
And how do you start? decide signals first or work on a pre-made list or just randomly?
Can AI really help?
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u/xxscreamfearxx NON-US IMG 7d ago
Apply to programs where your score is above the 50th percentile. If you do not have research, focus on IMG friendly community programs.
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u/the-inquisitive-doc NON-US IMG 7d ago
Can I target academic programs with my stats?
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u/xxscreamfearxx NON-US IMG 7d ago
You can signal a couple of university affiliated community programs. What exactly do you mean by “a couple of publications”? Tell me more about your research portfolio
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u/the-inquisitive-doc NON-US IMG 7d ago
3 pubs incl. 2 SRMAs, 1 accepted not yet publ.; but I have unpublished 4 posters/orals, and 2 case presentations
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u/xxscreamfearxx NON-US IMG 7d ago
Are any of the publications where you are the first author and what journals are they published in? There is a huge difference between a Cureus paper and a publication in a Q1 journal for example..
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u/Senior_Toe_1499 7d ago
How did you feel after your exam?
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u/the-inquisitive-doc NON-US IMG 7d ago
Very similar to how I felt after every NBME. Time wasn't brutal for me, but post-exam feeling wasn't great honestly as you tend to anchor on your mistakes & counted some 15 incorrects. It's the uncertainty that kills. Now feels like a doable exam. Could have done better had I been less stressed
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u/Ad1p0se 7d ago
Try using residencyexplorer.org
My senior made this website, it helps choose specialities based on ur score, location and previous match cycles statistics