How to Get Into A Medical Residency - Three Important Steps

Whether you are currently a medical student or a prospective medical student, you must be made aware that attaining a residency in the United States is not as easy as it once was. Over the last twenty years, there have been more positions available that there were residency applicants, ensuring that even those with poor USMLE scores were assured a spot in primary care specialties (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics). Today, unfortunately, there are two times more applicants than there are positions available, making the road to residency not only grueling and demanding, but completely uncertain.

With these startling new statistics, what can really be done to make sure you are one of the chosen few who will actually get a residency position after medical school? Focus on the following three criteria, as they are the most important factors that will help get your foot in the door for an interview and ultimately land a residency position.

#1 - The USMLE Step 1 exam??
#2 - The USMLE Step 2 exam??
#3 - Your clinical grades and letters of recommendation

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Allow me to detail why each is important and how you can maximize each.

#1 - The USMLE Step 1 exam

This is your first major board licensing exam and arguably the most important factor determining your career success. This exam is a demonstration of your basic science knowledge, and while it is not an indicator of the quality of doctor you will one day be, it is an important step in attaining a residency. With almost twice as many medical students aggressively pursuing a coveted residency spot, it is essential that you attain an average to above average score on this exam, and especially important to do so on your first attempt. Today, an average Step 1 score is approximately 217, and if you get a score close to this you will likely be safe.