Hi, I was just wandering if people with step scores < 240 applying currently can comment on how the interview invitations are progressing. I know there are other factors but some programs set cut offs and it would be helpful to try and figure out chances for those considering neurosx.

thank you.

More than half of all NS applicants have step 1 lower than 240.  Don’t worry about it.

The few places where I have actually heard cutoff numbers were all in the 200-210 range.  Unless you really did poorly on Step 1, your application will not be weeded solely by that datum.

our electronic cutoff is 200.  unless there is a special circumstance (gold medalist, president of the united states), we don’t even get to see your application.

One program Chair told me that his electronic cut-off was 230 and nothing below that gets to his desk unless you did a rotation at his program (which will probably fall under the category of a courtesy interview)

HPUH - 20 December 2009 05:09 PM

One program Chair told me that his electronic cut-off was 230 and nothing below that gets to his desk unless you did a rotation at his program (which will probably fall under the category of a courtesy interview)

I got <230 and only got rejected from one top program (and who knows if it was even board score related), so I doubt this is common. To OP: don’t worry, not a big deal.

you must have had awesome grades and letters. i got rejected from pretty much every name brand program with a 240+ board score, but I had very average clinical grades.

its really not that hard to make a 240+...just take 4 weeks and study your ass off.  Seriously.

Depends how well you do on exams, etc. It’s hard enough that only 15% (approxamately) of all test-takers score in that range and I’m pretty sure that >75% of people taking that exam are studying as hard as they ever have.

we don’t have a minimum cut off, but this year’s applicants are pretty strong so most interviewed applicants have been >240.  a lower step one can be offset by terrific letters or a fist-full of pubs. the single most important asset, though, is the phone call. if you’re really keen on a place, sit down with your NS mentor and get him/her to call the program director/chair of the place where you want to interview.