I've recently discovered late in the game my love for urology and have found my "herd" as so many people say. Now my problem is becoming a competitive applicant. The bad: 219 on step 1 and no uro related research; the good: I have a JD, top 1/3 of med class, extensive volunteer and medical/legal research, have been studying for step 2 for months in order to dominate the exam, and should honor my surgery clerckship. I'd love to hear from anybody that could give me advice on my realistice chance of matching as well as what to do to negate my poor step 1 score.
MS3 here, on board for urology as of a few months ago. I wasn't expecting to like urology at all coming into med school, but my experience rotating on it completely changed my mind. Now its late into 3rd year, I have no urology research and mediocre stats, though I do have good clerkship grades with honors in medicine and surgery, awards, and research experience with publications and abstracts in other fields. I'm also at a top US med school with a high-ranking urology program. How are you planning out AIs and when are you planning to take Step 2?I spoke with my dean about this recently and she advised that taking Step 2 early and doing well on it will be key if all other parts of the application are good. She said a year off to do research would help too, but I really don't feel strongly about that at this point. I'm planning to take step 2 early, probably June, and do 2-3 AIs from July-September. Fingers crossed for us both.
I've set up early aways at schools where I'd love to match. I've also set them up in the "off" season in order to work closely with program directors that can hopefully write me solid LOR. I've also been working closely with the Program director at my school and following his advice. His recommendation has been for me to get as much exposure to Urology as possible, show program directors that I'm commited and serious, and obtain strong LOR. I'm also going to take step 2 early in order to make up for a marginal step 1 score. Hopefully I we make it work, as I had no intentions in going into Urology until now.
what would be considered the "off season."
although a 219 isn't great, people match in urology with that sort of score pretty frequently. I know quite a few people who matched in the 220's, for instance (myself included). And, it sounds like your other grades & CV will really boost your application. I think with strong 3rd year grades, **LORse** and 1-2 succesful away rotations you ought to be in a strong position to match. Just really go for it in your sub-i's- study as much as possible before you get there, be a team player, stay humble, and show them the kind of resident you can be. Urology's a small community, and the impressions you make on aways, along with your LORs, are just so tremendously important. Although it's a super competitive specialty, my impression is that your performance in other areas can really make up for less-than-stellar boards.