Step 1 score and Chances of interview

First Step to Opportunity or Misfortune

Step 1 score has always been the initial point of decision for granting or not granting an interview. What makes the program directors tick? what are the decisions that lead them to chose one applicant over another? Is there a particular score below which programs do not grant interviews? What is the least I have to score to be safely considered by programs? These questions plague every residency match applicant.

At last, there is some respite to nagging questions like these. This is a very interesting graph I made from data gleaned from NRMP website. The explanation follows the graph

This graph aims to answer the question - is there a cut off score which affects interview chances positively or negatively?

The X Axis

Subspecialties are listed on the x axis and include some of the perennial IMG favorites and considered as IMG friendly. To know more about these check out this link, IMG friendly specialities. I have not included those specialities that are not IMG friendly on the abscissa.

The Y Axis

This is the step 1 score. The three digit step 1 score is listed and the ordinate starts at 188. The reason for choosing 188 is because for step 1 - a three digit score of 188 is considered a passing score. Anything less than that will be considered a failed attempt.

The Red Line

The red line connects all the lower values for the respective specialities. The program directors indicated that these represent average scores below which they do not grant interview. Therefore any score below the red line will not get an interview under average circumstances. There is a variation to the lower cut off limit. Family medicine and psychiatry have the lowest cut off of any speciality. The specific subjects and the lowest cut off are indicated in the chart. 

The Blue line

The blue line connects the three digit step 1 scores above which the programs almost always invite applicants. Family medicine and psychiatry had lower top cut of values. 

The Black Line

The black horizontal line represents a score of 228 which was the least score you needed to obtain on step 1 to be safely above the blue line for all specialities and thus fall in the 'always get called for interview zone'

The Green Zone

This is a free for all, zone where programs may or may not call applicants for interviews.

Bottomline

- Step 1 scores more than 228 will encourage programs to invite you for interviews

- Step 1 scores less than those indicated below the red line will make programs disinclined to send interview invitations.

- family medicine tends to have more relaxed criteria for granting interviews based on step 1 scores.

- Internal medicine and pathology have more stringent criteria for granting interviews based on Step 1 scores.
On a related note, I would also like to highlight the main points here from my other article (20 steps to boost your residency chances)

1. Plan your time
2. Coordinate with your medical schools and colleges so that your paper work is done on time
3. Spend a lot of time, I mean a lot, on your personal statement. You are speaking to an audience, make an impression.
4. Brush up on your correspondence skills, 80% of correspondence is written by email, learn to write impressive emails with appropriate subject headings and striking content
5. Be organized, use a filing system (in person) and on computer to sort and store important documents (scanned or original)
6. Be sure to upload your documents to ERAS on time and that your packet is complete by September 15.
7. If there are any deficiencies in getting ECFMG certified, go ahead and take care of them
8. Most programs will need Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores before application. Incomplete applications that do not satisfy criteria tremendously reduce chances of getting an interview.
9. Choose which approach you are going to take - Shotgun™ or Sniper™ and stick with it.
10. Shotgun strategy is applying all over in multiple specialties without restriction, while sniper strategy is to focus on one subject and hammer out the applications finely tuned to that specialty. You could be specific to the extent of applying to few chosen states but this may reduce your chances of interview.
11. Make a careful selection of programs - if you are indiscriminate in applying (you can increase your chances but expenses will also mount), if you are too critical in choosing places (you may not get interviews) find a balance in either strategies.
12. Brush up your interview skills, if you have an accent - work on it to improve it. A phenomenal impression in an interview can often overcome an inadequate resume
13. Keep your resume up to date. If you find there are gaps in your CV, explain them in your personal statement.
14. Keep your CV evolving; a static CV is not impressive. As a norm, you should add one new accomplishment to your CV every 6 months.
15. If you are an new graduate - fresh out of medical school, look for few volunteer or quasi research/research experiences to add to CV
16. If you are an old graduate but have been in clinical practice - make sure you justify why you want to change careers in your personal statement
17. If you are an old graduate and have not been active clinically - do everything it takes to get US clinical experience.
18. Policies have changed in 2011, with ‘all or none’ phenomenon for programs – either all seats are through NRMP or not. Prematches – out of match offers for positions will go down but still exist and one can get residency outside of match system.
19. Keep a positive attitude.
20. Network, network and more network. Find connections and folks to put in a word for you.  Candidates who have someone vouch for them have a far greater chance than those without connections. IF you cannot get connections – make them. If you think you do not need connections – you had better have triple 99 (250+) and a stellar resume.

For a related articles which deals with the number of interviews and chance of matching read up here also make sure to check out the relationship between step 2 scores and chances of interview. 

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