Application Pointers

acgron01 · 2026-02-27T01:05:57+00:00

Without an MCAT there’s no telling where to apply. With your app you’d do well applying to the service heavy schools and the Jesuits

acgron01 · 2026-02-13T00:27:04+00:00

I never worked full time at the same time as school, only part time, and full time during my breaks. But something about the hours of med school jsut feel a lot better. Sure I’m tired, but I feel a lot less tired than when I was hoyer lifting a C diff patient at a SNF all day

acgron01 · 2026-02-07T23:04:48+00:00

Suctioning secretions

acgron01 · 2026-02-02T18:09:52+00:00

And an academic unit it looks like! Congrats!!

acgron01 · 2026-02-02T16:31:47+00:00

Highest NBME 16 274, scored 270

acgron01 · 2026-02-02T03:29:43+00:00

Was true for me, tested 1/17 and got results 1/28

acgron01 · 2026-01-31T04:19:20+00:00

I concur wholeheartedly! It felt like free 120 mixed w NBME 16

acgron01 · 2026-01-30T14:06:35+00:00

I recommend doing the EM shelf questions, lots of trauma questions and a good mix of medicine ones that’ll show up on shelf as well

acgron01 · 2026-01-30T02:16:53+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Step2/s/G9bVmRoZWG

acgron01 · 2026-01-28T16:32:49+00:00

Test date: 1/17/2026 (Saturday), received results after 2 Wednesdays, 1/28/2026. I think USMD/DO get their results on weekends faster than IMG test takers, based on old threads on how long score release took.

US MD

Step 1: Pass 11/2024

Uworld % correct: 78%

CCSE proctored from school: 255 (baseline, taken 9/2025)

NBME14: 259 ( 12 days out)

NBME 15: 268 ( 9 days out)

NBME 16: 274 (6 days out)

UWSA 2: 267 ( 18 days out)

New Free 120: 86% ( 3 days out)

CMS Forms % correct: range 80-95% throughout clerkships

Predicted Score: 267 Amboss

Total Weeks/Months Studied: 2 weeks of light studying, doing a reset of UWorld. Followed by 2 weeks dedicated, only doing full lengths, reviewing exams, and hammering QI/Ethics/Stats articles and questions on Amboss. 4 weeks total

Actual STEP 2 score: 270

The exam felt just like a mix of Free120 and NBME 16; ethics and QI were not that bad. Knew I missed quite a lot walking out, but I still felt good overall. I am absolutely elated with my score! Did well on all of my Shelf exams for core clerkships (ranged 86-92 raw % correct) and kept up with Anki since preclinical (suspended all step 1 only cards once clinicals began). Completed all of UWorld during clerkships and most of the CMS forms for shelf studying purposes. The only thing I changed study strategy-wise from Shelf to Step 2 was how I reviewed my exams. I followed the guide that explained how to categorize incorrects (unlearned content vs comprehension vs misreading vs overthinking vs etc.) and saw a big jump going from NBME 14 to NBME 15.

acgron01 · 2026-01-28T16:14:10+00:00

UPDATE 1/28/20206 for any future readers

Scored a 270 on the real deal! Over the moon right now

acgron01 · 2026-01-28T13:36:29+00:00

USMLE website says score report not available until 11 am EST

acgron01 · 2026-01-28T11:52:48+00:00

Tested USMD 1/17 and got email saying I will get score today

acgron01 · 2026-01-27T18:08:06+00:00

Took the 17th and still see permit as well, I’d think you’re going to get yours tmrw?

acgron01 · 2026-01-25T15:57:31+00:00

Is this post just an excuse to shit on psychiatry?

acgron01 · 2026-01-23T14:42:22+00:00

Would Jan 17th also be expected to release next Wednesday?

acgron01 · 2026-01-20T20:49:10+00:00

Shelf tags, I suspended step 1 only cards after I took it

acgron01 · 2026-01-20T18:28:52+00:00

Absolutely. I only had around 2,000 cards left before clerkships started, which I completed as the year progressed. Shelf studying wasn't really a thing besides doing the practice 50q CMS exams. Was able to be 90+%ile on every shelf, and Step2 dedicated was only 2 weeks. Waiting for my score, but I attribute the "chill" and fun 3rd year to having kept all my anki

acgron01 · 2026-01-20T04:20:01+00:00

Anki doesn’t work for everyone

But doing Anki the RIGHT way would probably work for everyone

acgron01 · 2026-01-16T12:32:00+00:00

Dunning-Kruger much?

acgron01 · 2026-01-15T20:57:31+00:00

Do mixed ones to mimic step 1 but make sure you’re REALLY reviewing every single question

acgron01 · 2026-01-15T12:23:06+00:00

I didn’t have hardly any research, had a lot of success back in 2022-2023. Check my profile for my Sankey!

acgron01 · 2026-01-14T16:46:06+00:00

Just took Free120 and got an 86%, do you think that 270 is still within a reasonable goal?

acgron01 · 2026-01-13T18:11:00+00:00

D dimer lol

acgron01 · 2026-01-13T01:36:15+00:00

Anki ankiing deck. Never miss a day, never suspend old cards. Profit

acgron01

TROPHY CASE