Well I just ruined my life

[failedatlife]

A 222. Wanted to do ENT, I'll be lucky get my MD and match anything now. Actually I don't even deserve to match. I really did give this is my all, I really did. Completed all of Uworld (73% percentile), multiple times I did Pathoma, multiple times I did Sketchy, multiple times I did FA. And for what? A failure. That's all I am in life, a failure. I wish I could give you guys advice on how to study for Step, but you don't want mine. I was a very strong applicant to medical school in every regard, but my low 30s MCAT held me back then. I had to explain myself on every interview. Luckily one good school gave me a chance. In retrospect they shouldn't have. I disgraced my med school, my family, and most of all myself.

I did well the first two years. I have 5 first author publications (real publications, not that case report crap), 7 poster/oral presentations. All that time I spent, all for nothing. Well I take that back, at least I hope it helps the field, the field I'm never going to be a part of. And that's the hardest part, I never will be a part of the field because I just can't take a freaking standardized test to save my life. The best part is that I have an oral presentation on my research at a meeting coming up in a couple of months. I have to figure out how to pull myself together to give this talk to a bunch of academic ENTs, because deep down inside I just feel embarrassed now. Just so embarrassed. I'm even embarrassed to talk to my mentor anymore. The supportive 4th years and residents told me that you aren't your score, but God knows that's just how I (and every residency program) am going to see myself for the next two years. It was the same way with my MCAT score (everything else was good, actually great...but that score defined me and now this score defines me). I purposely never met with my program director here to show interest just in case this happened, and well, it happened.

If I could just give any advice to any 1st or 2nd years reading this (especially if you struggled with standardized tests like I have my whole life), try your hardest. The test is difficult especially if you are stupid like me or aren't a good test taker like me. You don't want to be as broken apart as I am right now. I'm going to keep trying hard on my rotations to honor them and keep writing papers, but I know in my heart that I just ruined my life, plain and simple.

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[exacto]

A 222. Wanted to do ENT, I'll be lucky get my MD and match anything now. Actually I don't even deserve to match. I really did give this is my all, I really did. Completed all of Uworld (73% percentile), multiple times I did Pathoma, multiple times I did Sketchy, multiple times I did FA. And for what? A failure. That's all I am in life, a failure. I wish I could give you guys advice on how to study for Step, but you don't want mine. I was a very strong applicant to medical school in every regard, but my low 30s MCAT held me back then. I had to explain myself on every interview. Luckily one good school gave me a chance. In retrospect they shouldn't have. I disgraced my med school, my family, and most of all myself.

I did well the first two years. I have 5 first author publications (real publications, not that case report crap), 7 poster/oral presentations. All that time I spent, all for nothing. Well I take that back, at least I hope it helps the field, the field I'm never going to be a part of. And that's the hardest part, I never will be a part of the field because I just can't take a freaking standardized test to save my life. The best part is that I have an oral presentation on my research at a meeting coming up in a couple of months. I have to figure out how to pull myself together to give this talk to a bunch of academic ENTs, because deep down inside I just feel embarrassed now. Just so embarrassed. I'm even embarrassed to talk to my mentor anymore. The supportive 4th years and residents told me that you aren't your score, but God knows that's just how I (and every residency program) am going to see myself for the next two years. It was the same way with my MCAT score (everything else was good, actually great...but that score defined me and now this score defines me). I purposely never met with my program director here to show interest just in case this happened, and well, it happened.

If I could just give any advice to any 1st or 2nd years reading this (especially if you struggled with standardized tests like I have my whole life), try your hardest. The test is difficult especially if you are stupid like me or aren't a good test taker like me. You don't want to be as broken apart as I am right now. I'm going to keep trying hard on my rotations to honor them and keep writing papers, but I know in my heart that I just ruined my life, plain and simple.

relax brother! yesh, a 222 is not horrible at all! Dont be so down on yourself. For Christs sake you were accepted into medical school...that is insanely hard and impressive to do in itself. You're a smart dude, and you didn't let anyone down in this world. You need to take a break, close the books, and see your family/friends/loved ones and take your head out of this spiral.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Can I ask why ENT? There are many other great fields to go into! If it was for lifestyle and/or compensation, please don't make the mistake many others have and pick a field just based on those two factors. You haven't done most of your clinical rotations yet. Just give it a try this year and you might find something else you'll fall in love with. And just know that there have been thousands of people in your same exact situation in the past. I myself was set on radiology during MS1 and MS2 but during MS3 I fell in love with working on the floors and interacting with patients. It might seem like the end of the world now but in 10 years when you are an attending in whichever field including ENT, it'll be in the back of your mind.

 

[TheStallion16]

Jesus relax man. I intern at one of the top Gen Surgery residencies in the country and there are 2 residents who got a 219. A 222 isn't that bad at all. Sure you can't match ortho or anything super competitive, but come on. They take int account more than just your step score. You'll be fine with a 222

 

[ortnakas]

Since when is 222 a failure?

 

[Mad Jack]

A 222. Wanted to do ENT, I'll be lucky get my MD and match anything now. Actually I don't even deserve to match. I really did give this is my all, I really did. Completed all of Uworld (73% percentile), multiple times I did Pathoma, multiple times I did Sketchy, multiple times I did FA. And for what? A failure. That's all I am in life, a failure. I wish I could give you guys advice on how to study for Step, but you don't want mine. I was a very strong applicant to medical school in every regard, but my low 30s MCAT held me back then. I had to explain myself on every interview. Luckily one good school gave me a chance. In retrospect they shouldn't have. I disgraced my med school, my family, and most of all myself.

I did well the first two years. I have 5 first author publications (real publications, not that case report crap), 7 poster/oral presentations. All that time I spent, all for nothing. Well I take that back, at least I hope it helps the field, the field I'm never going to be a part of. And that's the hardest part, I never will be a part of the field because I just can't take a freaking standardized test to save my life. The best part is that I have an oral presentation on my research at a meeting coming up in a couple of months. I have to figure out how to pull myself together to give this talk to a bunch of academic ENTs, because deep down inside I just feel embarrassed now. Just so embarrassed. I'm even embarrassed to talk to my mentor anymore. The supportive 4th years and residents told me that you aren't your score, but God knows that's just how I (and every residency program) am going to see myself for the next two years. It was the same way with my MCAT score (everything else was good, actually great...but that score defined me and now this score defines me). I purposely never met with my program director here to show interest just in case this happened, and well, it happened.

If I could just give any advice to any 1st or 2nd years reading this (especially if you struggled with standardized tests like I have my whole life), try your hardest. The test is difficult especially if you are stupid like me or aren't a good test taker like me. You don't want to be as broken apart as I am right now. I'm going to keep trying hard on my rotations to honor them and keep writing papers, but I know in my heart that I just ruined my life, plain and simple.

Please be trolling, this is ridiculous. Chill out, you'll be fine. RIP your ENT future tho.

 

[deleted407021]

Well, you're a negative Nellie.

 

[solitarius]

I guess all the derm, ortho, & plastics gunners should read this.

 

[gyngyn]

In the last edition of Charting Outcomes, 25 US Seniors with a Step 1 of 230 or less matched into ENT. 20 did not.
The large majority of ENT applicants had higher scores than this, though. See page 192: http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf

 

[JustaDO]

The drama is strong in this one, if being a ENT doesn't work out, consider acting. Take a step back and think: you literally made a account to express your sorrows.

 

[Dr. Death]

And this boys and girls is why you don't go into med school dead set on one specialty and not being happy with others

 

[ItsAboutThePatient]

Wake up dude. ENT isn't that great. You just did yourself a favor

 

[futureradres12345]

Your over-the-top personality will be a bigger impediment to successfully matching than your step 1 score. Take it down one or ten notches. Based off the nrmp data cited above, you still have ~50% chance of matching into ENT with your board score.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Can't you just keep trying for ENT and then apply with a gen surg back up? You still have a chance!

 

[VisionaryTics]

Wake up dude. ENT isn't that great. You just did yourself a favor

Nah it's pretty great

That being said, some people are able to match to ENT with low step scores through connections or research. And there are plenty of other great fields in medicine.

 

[Brahnold Bloodaxe]

OP, this is life and everyone eventually comes hard up against the ceiling of their potential. You just smashed your noggin' against your very own personal ceiling and yeah, I bet you feel a powerful dull ache as a result. But don't worry. The pain will fade with time and you will learn to accept that ENT and Ortho and Derm were never in the cards of you, from the very moment you were born with a 222-limited brain. There is nothing you could have done so don't beat yourself up, OP. The world needs IM doctors just as much as it needs surgical subspecialists, so there is a societal silver-lining to what you selfishly view as a personal failure

 

[Merely]

I am so sorry for you,OP. I can't even imagine what you're going through. Ignore the idiots who are making fun of you. You did all that hard work and now you're in a very tough position all because of one stupid test. Hope you can be the one to match with a low score with that great research or hope you find a new field you fall in love with. Either way, I hope things work out for you, you're not a failure, don't ever think that.

 

[failedatlife]

I realize this came off dramatic. But I literally gave hundreds of hours the end of 1st year, summer, and 2nd year to publishing manuscripts. I contributed a lot to the field because I really enjoyed it. It's all gone now, it's hard to explain. I am having a hard time accepting that. I failed myself, I failed the field, I just failed. I want to be mad at myself, but I know I tried. It's just as the poster above me just said, I have to accept the fact that I am genetically stupid. Hard work goes a long way but it doesn't cure stupidity.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I realize this came off dramatic. But I literally gave hundreds of hours the end of 1st year, summer, and 2nd year to publishing manuscripts. I contributed a lot to the field because I really enjoyed it. It's all gone now, it's hard to explain. I am having a hard time accepting that. I failed myself, I failed the field, I just failed. I want to be mad at myself, but I know I tried. It's just as the poster above me just said, I have to accept the fact that I am genetically stupid. Hard work goes a long way but it doesn't cure stupidity.

Just above you were shown that 25/45 applicants that applied ENT with a score in your range matched, and you clearly have the research background to possibly be someone who makes it despite this hiccup. chill out, get your head back in the game, work hard throughout rotations and continue on your path. You can still apply ENT and apply to another field as a backup to be safe. Start by changing your attitude and realize you aren't down and out just yet. Don't give up.

 

[doc4lax]

Besides the fact that the quoted poster plays/played a great sport, I agree. Do your best the next few years and see where it goes! Soften up, things will turn for the better

 

[grt398]

For what it's worth, I've seen people match similarly competitive surgical sub-specialties with similar numbers but it usually involved spending several years in the lab of a big wig in the field, and then matching either at that person's program, or having them reach out and call in personal favors (I assume) to make it happen. The door isn't completely shut but you do need to decide if you're willing to commit at least 2 years to full-time research and understand you still might not match if things don't work out perfectly.

 

[ortnakas]

I realize this came off dramatic. But I literally gave hundreds of hours the end of 1st year, summer, and 2nd year to publishing manuscripts. I contributed a lot to the field because I really enjoyed it. It's all gone now, it's hard to explain. I am having a hard time accepting that. I failed myself, I failed the field, I just failed. I want to be mad at myself, but I know I tried. It's just as the poster above me just said, I have to accept the fact that I am genetically stupid. Hard work goes a long way but it doesn't cure stupidity.

Genetically stupid people don't get into medical school.
They don't publish multiple manuscripts.
They don't score 30+ on the MCAT.
And they don't PASS the USMLE by a respectable margin.

Being disappointed is reasonable, but you're being unfairly hard on yourself. You have the credentials to make your way into quite a few specialties as a physician. Maybe even still as an ENT, as others have pointed out.

 

[sliceofbread136]

OP, this is life and everyone eventually comes hard up against the ceiling of their potential. You just smashed your noggin' against your very own personal ceiling and yeah, I bet you feel a powerful dull ache as a result. But don't worry. The pain will fade with time and you will learn to accept that ENT and Ortho and Derm were never in the cards of you, from the very moment you were born with a 222-limited brain. There is nothing you could have done so don't beat yourself up, OP. The world needs IM doctors just as much as it needs surgical subspecialists, so there is a societal silver-lining to what you selfishly view as a personal failure

Bs, step 1 in no way defines someone's ceiling. Not sure at what point of your education you are in, but it becomes very clear very quickly that test taking ability is a very small part of the equation

 

[emergentmd]

Yeah. step back and accept that FP or IM is your future. geez

 

[StrongIslandDoc]

Today I told a dean, verbatim, "Half of the policies are a joke, and I intend on treating them as such." There is probably a ****-storm brewing my way soon, so I would chill TFO w/ the 222, lol.

 

[studentdocftw]

Understandably, many people go through this process OP. You are not alone. You will move on and you will ultimately practice medicine. Perhaps not in the field of choice, but hey, you could also be one of those that end up having to switch careers as a result of not being able to matriculate to medical school. Frustrating, I know, but you'll be alright.

 

[Mad Jack]

Yeah. step back and accept that FP or IM is your future. geez

He's got a lot more options than FP or IM. Hell, if he applied broadly, he could get into a lot of different specialties as a US MD, particularly with research. Academic IM and all of the fellowships that can offer are a possibility, it's not like the dude's life is over.

 

[NWwildcat2013]

Probably should have studied a bit more and toned down the research time commitment. I think you put the cart before the horse. Luckily that research might save you if you turn it around on Step 2, network like crazy, and crush third year.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Goro]

OK, you gave it your best, but it wasn't good enough.

So now it's time to stop the pity party AND the special snowflake syndrome. You failed the field? GROW UP!! ENT will manage to get along without you.

I realize this came off dramatic. But I literally gave hundreds of hours the end of 1st year, summer, and 2nd year to publishing manuscripts. I contributed a lot to the field because I really enjoyed it. It's all gone now, it's hard to explain. I am having a hard time accepting that. I failed myself, I failed the field, I just failed. I want to be mad at myself, but I know I tried. It's just as the poster above me just said, I have to accept the fact that I am genetically stupid. Hard work goes a long way but it doesn't cure stupidity.

 

[Brorthopedic]

I guess FM in Alaska it is then, OP.

 

[Hangry]

OK, you gave it your best, but it wasn't good enough.

So now it's time to stop the pity party AND the special snowflake syndrome. You failed the field? GROW UP!! ENT will manage to get along without you.

Couldn't have said it any better Goro.

I especially love the amount of pity party/snowflake syndrome it takes to post a thread like this an hour after another poster, WHO ACTUALLY FAILED step 1, posted a thread in allo about failing.

OP, I'm sorry you had to go through this. It certainly does suck to have your future career goals rattled to this extent but you are wayyy over the top in your OP. I know we are an internet forum and a fantastic place to vent, so if that's all you're doing, carry on. But if this is actually what you think in real life "I'm a failure, my whole life is a failure, my life is over" etc etc then you need a serious dose of either tough love or CBT or both. Goro will give you the tough love here, but the rest is on you to seek out.

Finally on the practical side, you are a second year, you have done literally zero clinical medicine (or maybe part of one rotation). Barring some seriously exceptional preclinical experiences, you don't really have a damn clue what the day to day career is in almost any field of medicine. While we all pick our favorite fields for the match, most of us could have been happy in multiple fields with similar characteristics and it would behoove you to spend the time you might want to spend wallowing into searching what other fields might interest you that are less competitive than ENT. Hell, you might even still match ENT! Get over yourself and go lay your app out to your mentors, see what they have to say. The stats quoted above have shown that exceptional people can still match ENT with your scores, and the data you've given us here gives us every reason to believe you are an exceptional candidate in other ways outside of standardized test taking. You could apply ENT with a backup as well, and see what happens.

Just keep your head up, have a good attitude, and keep an open mind. You are in a great life position right now, don't squander that with this self-defeating BS. Life is not over, you aren't a failure. Heck, I know at least 3 people personally (and I'm not a social person) who thought they wanted to do ENT during preclinicals and switched to different specialties during third year (and not for lack of stats to match ENT). It isn't the perfect field. You will be FINE.

 

[StrongIslandDoc]

A 222. Wanted to do ENT, I'll be lucky get my MD and match anything now. Actually I don't even deserve to match. I really did give this is my all, I really did. Completed all of Uworld (73% percentile), multiple times I did Pathoma, multiple times I did Sketchy, multiple times I did FA. And for what? A failure. That's all I am in life, a failure. I wish I could give you guys advice on how to study for Step, but you don't want mine. I was a very strong applicant to medical school in every regard, but my low 30s MCAT held me back then. I had to explain myself on every interview. Luckily one good school gave me a chance. In retrospect they shouldn't have. I disgraced my med school, my family, and most of all myself.

I did well the first two years. I have 5 first author publications (real publications, not that case report crap), 7 poster/oral presentations. All that time I spent, all for nothing. Well I take that back, at least I hope it helps the field, the field I'm never going to be a part of. And that's the hardest part, I never will be a part of the field because I just can't take a freaking standardized test to save my life. The best part is that I have an oral presentation on my research at a meeting coming up in a couple of months. I have to figure out how to pull myself together to give this talk to a bunch of academic ENTs, because deep down inside I just feel embarrassed now. Just so embarrassed. I'm even embarrassed to talk to my mentor anymore. The supportive 4th years and residents told me that you aren't your score, but God knows that's just how I (and every residency program) am going to see myself for the next two years. It was the same way with my MCAT score (everything else was good, actually great...but that score defined me and now this score defines me). I purposely never met with my program director here to show interest just in case this happened, and well, it happened.

If I could just give any advice to any 1st or 2nd years reading this (especially if you struggled with standardized tests like I have my whole life), try your hardest. The test is difficult especially if you are stupid like me or aren't a good test taker like me. You don't want to be as broken apart as I am right now. I'm going to keep trying hard on my rotations to honor them and keep writing papers, but I know in my heart that I just ruined my life, plain and simple.

Bolded = no offense man, but you scored below average on Step 1 and you're proclaiming yourself as a failure. Take care not to disparage other forms of scholarly work that people tend to put effort into and take stock in as they build their CV for ERAS. Wyoming is a great place for Family Medicine, check it out.

 

[dog_swag]

Just reading this gave me anxiety. As someone who literally just started, this is the equivalent of someone watching Jaws before their first trip to the ocean.

 

[IslandStyle808]

OP you learned a valuable lesson here. SDN is not the place to unload your inner turmoil. I learned that lesson long ago. You can see the results above...

 

[Mad Jack]

Just reading this gave me anxiety. As someone who literally just started, this is the equivalent of someone watching Jaws before their first trip to the ocean.

Someone passing the USMLE, one of the most difficult licensing exams on the planet, 7 points lower than the mean (with a SD of 20) for US MDs, a mean that is established against a test group with an average IQ of 130? That's like watching Jaws to you? You better realize, kid- there's a good chance you're going to be average when you walk into a room full of geniuses. You might be a little better or worse, but what separates you all is often razor thin differences in regard to intelligence. Every single one of you wants to (and us used to) being at or near the top of the curve, but you've got a new curve now, snowflake, so don't be heartbroken if you end up not being at the top of it. You aren't special anymore the second you set foot in those doors- you're just one fairly intelligent person amongst a gaggle of many.

So if you're surg/ENT/derm/plastics or bust, be very ready for that to not happen, because there is, statistically, a 50% chance that every person entering medical school is not as hard working, talented, or special as they think they are, given that 50% of US MDs score at or below a 229 on the boards. This isn't tee ball, everyone doesn't walk away with a 240+ trophy, a derm residency, and a pat on the back. So work hard, but know that your best efforts might only be average or worse, and that's not something to be ashamed of when you're brushing shoulders with some really ****ing smart and talented people.

 

[TBV]

Your over-the-top personality will be a bigger impediment to successfully matching than your step 1 score. Take it down one or ten notches. Based off the nrmp data cited above, you still have ~50% chance of matching into ENT with your board score.

50% aren't good odds bro. There are casino games with nearly those odds.

 

[Crayola227]

Someone passing the USMLE, one of the most difficult licensing exams on the planet, 7 points lower than the mean (with a SD of 20) for US MDs, a mean that is established against a test group with an average IQ of 130? That's like watching Jaws to you? You better realize, kid- there's a good chance you're going to be average when you walk into a room full of geniuses. You might be a little better or worse, but what separates you all is often razor thin differences in regard to intelligence. Every single one of you wants to (and us used to) being at or near the top of the curve, but you've got a new curve now, snowflake, so don't be heartbroken if you end up not being at the top of it. You aren't special anymore the second you set foot in those doors- you're just one fairly intelligent person amongst a gaggle of many.

So if you're surg/ENT/derm/plastics or bust, be very ready for that to not happen, because there is, statistically, a 50% chance that every person entering medical school is not as hard working, talented, or special as they think they are, given that 50% of US MDs score at or below a 229 on the boards. This isn't tee ball, everyone didn't walk away with a 240+ trophy, a derm residency, and a pat on the back. So work hard, but know that your best efforts might only be average or worse, and that's not something to be ashamed of when you're brushing shoulders with some really ****ing smart and talented people.

I was lucky this wake up call happened for me the very first anatomy test

allowed me to come to terms with being average and going into an average field early on in the game

sorry bro it this was your first indication that you were gonna be average in med school

I didn't read to see how you did in your classes, I mean, usually there's *some* clue before the USMLE itself

some people end up surprising themselves but most people get a score that makes sense in the greater picture

 

[TBV]

I can't be the only one who read OPs post and thought "wow that's some really impressive research in the first two years"

Followed by: "How the hell did he have time for that?"

Then I got my answer, you didn't OP. Time was better spent learning the material and doing half to one quarter as much research.

 

[Psai]

Op you just need to do the best you can in the clinical years, make friends with the ent residents, get on the chair's good side and you have a chance. I understand that getting a low score on step 1 feels terrible but it is now what you have and you have to move on. Step 1 is important but it is just one data point.

Now you know why we tell everyone that the number one priority is doing well in school. Research is a distant second, really the cherry on top.

 

[dog_swag]

Someone passing the USMLE, one of the most difficult licensing exams on the planet, 7 points lower than the mean (with a SD of 20) for US MDs, a mean that is established against a test group with an average IQ of 130? That's like watching Jaws to you? You better realize, kid- there's a good chance you're going to be average when you walk into a room full of geniuses. You might be a little better or worse, but what separates you all is often razor thin differences in regard to intelligence. Every single one of you wants to (and us used to) being at or near the top of the curve, but you've got a new curve now, snowflake, so don't be heartbroken if you end up not being at the top of it. You aren't special anymore the second you set foot in those doors- you're just one fairly intelligent person amongst a gaggle of many.

So if you're surg/ENT/derm/plastics or bust, be very ready for that to not happen, because there is, statistically, a 50% chance that every person entering medical school is not as hard working, talented, or special as they think they are, given that 50% of US MDs score at or below a 229 on the boards. This isn't tee ball, everyone doesn't walk away with a 240+ trophy, a derm residency, and a pat on the back. So work hard, but know that your best efforts might only be average or worse, and that's not something to be ashamed of when you're brushing shoulders with some really ****ing smart and talented people.

I should've clarified what I meant. I get that 222 is freaking amazing. I would kill for a 222. What I am saying is that someone having such an adverse reaction to a 222 gives me anxiety.

I guess the Jaws reference was to the fact that you hear everybody preach about how medical school is not for the faint of heart. Especially on a place like this you hear all the stories of the mental toll is takes (depression, anxiety, and worse). OP killed it. I'm not trying to disrespect him or her. All I'm saying is that this seems to be one of those cases coming to fruition. Someone who worked hard, had tremendous success, and at the end of the day still feels defeated. That's all I'm saying. Maybe it was a bad analogy but I meant to convey that OP's situation is one of my greater fears.

 

[TheFutureFatMan]

If you have counseling support at your school, it might be worth talking to them. Set backs can be rough, but you don't want to get into a spiral. Only way out is through, friend. Good luck to you.

 

[prettylittlebird]

OP had to explain his "low-30s" MCAT at every interview? Come on now, that's a tad ridiculous. It's not like you had to explain away a 27 or anything. The only one who is letting your scores "define" you is yourself. I hate to just say get over it but there are people who actually fail Step 1 and have to deal with the subsequent fallout. You did fine and are going to graduate and become a doctor. Chill out and move on. If you hit pause on your pity party for one second you'd realize that multiple posters have told you ENT is not impossible with your score as long as you do well the next two years, network your ass off and continue researching and clinical rotations may change what specialty you choose to match in anyway.

 

[Stagg737]

I realize this came off dramatic. But I literally gave hundreds of hours the end of 1st year, summer, and 2nd year to publishing manuscripts. I contributed a lot to the field because I really enjoyed it. It's all gone now, it's hard to explain. I am having a hard time accepting that. I failed myself, I failed the field, I just failed. I want to be mad at myself, but I know I tried. It's just as the poster above me just said, I have to accept the fact that I am genetically stupid. Hard work goes a long way but it doesn't cure stupidity.

I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but I hope someone slaps you and gives you a wake up call. A 222 is not a failure, it's not a kiss of death that will bar you from ENT, and it's certainly not the end of the world. I get that you're disappointed and upset, and there's nothing wrong with that. But if you can't get over your 'whoa is me, my life is over' attitude then you don't deserve to match into a competitive field. Take a few days or even a week or two and feel sorry for yourself. You're going to fail at times in your life, there's nothing wrong with that. You've gotta get a better attitude towards those 'failures' though if you're going to practice medicine. **** happens, and the people who crash and burn are the ones who can't deal with it when it hits the fan. So take the appropriate time to grieve and feel sorry for yourself. Whine, cry, do what you need to do for a few days or a week to get it out of your system, then get your ass back in the saddle and bust your butt to make the strongest app you can going forward.

I should've clarified what I meant. I get that 222 is freaking amazing. I would kill for a 222. What I am saying is that someone having such an adverse reaction to a 222 gives me anxiety.

I guess the Jaws reference was to the fact that you hear everybody preach about how medical school is not for the faint of heart. Especially on a place like this you hear all the stories of the mental toll is takes (depression, anxiety, and worse). OP killed it. I'm not trying to disrespect him or her. All I'm saying is that this seems to be one of those cases coming to fruition. Someone who worked hard, had tremendous success, and at the end of the day still feels defeated. That's all I'm saying. Maybe it was a bad analogy but I meant to convey that OP's situation is one of my greater fears.

A 222 isn't amazing, but it's certainly nothing to be ashamed of either. This is a classic example of the neurotic, overachieving med student who sets their actual expectations ridiculously high and doesn't know how to deal with "failure". Just work hard, do your best, and keep an open mind about what you want to do and the fact that you might not be top of your class even if you do bust your butt. Being realistic is just as important in med school as all the hard work is, especially when it comes to your mental health.

 

[Taddy Mason]

Completed all of Uworld (73% percentile)

If you truly mean percentile and not percent correct most step score calculators/estimators would predict low 230s. So your actual score, while lower than you hoped for, is within a statistically reasonable range based on your UWorld performance. Disheartening yes, but it shouldn't come as a huge surprise.

I was a very strong applicant to medical school in every regard, but my low 30s MCAT held me back then. I had to explain myself on every interview. Luckily one good school gave me a chance.

Lol wut?

I disgraced my med school, my family, and most of all myself.

This gives me the vibe that since the day you were born your parents repeatedly told you that you will become an ENT or they will disown you.

 

[TheFutureFatMan]

If you truly mean percentile and not percent correct most step score calculators/estimators would predict low 230s. So your actual score, while lower than you hoped for, is within a reasonable range based on your UWorld performance. Disheartening yes, but it shouldn't come as a huge surprise.



Lol wut?



This gives me the vibe that since the day you were born your parents repeatedly told you that you will become an ENT or they will disown you.

I didn't get far enough to read the part about disgracing my medschool and my family. I probably would've been LESS kind and MORE "take a harden-up pill and move on, bro."

 

[Mad Jack]

OP had to explain his "low-30s" MCAT at every interview? Come on now, that's a tad ridiculous. It's not like you had to explain away a 27 or anything. The only one who is letting your scores "define" you is yourself. I hate to just say get over it but there are people who actually fail Step 1 and have to deal with the subsequent fallout. You did fine and are going to graduate and become a doctor. Chill out and move on. If you hit pause on your pity party for one second you'd realize that multiple posters have told you ENT is not impossible with your score as long as you do well the next two years, network your ass off and continue researching and clinical rotations may change what specialty you choose to match in anyway.

That actually made me think he was trolling.

 

[Mad Jack]

I've come up with a solution though. OP, it's clear that your desire is to be the very best, like no one ever was. You may not be a perfect medical student or premed, but I know exactly the path for you.

You can do it. You can catch them all.




Really tho, get a hobby and chill out. Your career isn't your life, and numbers don't define you.

 

[JamaicanHerb]

Better start practicing your blowjob techniques.

 

[TBV]

Better start practicing your blowjob techniques.

Banhammer coming in 3...2...

 

[Petypet]

Its a bell curve for a reason. People from both ends of the curve match in every specialty. Put your head down and work hard and you'll be fine.