Advice on my unique situation

[aw1090]

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So, as the title states, I'm in this situation of having graduated from medical school in 2020. During that time, I took step 2 and failed, but the school allowed me to graduate without passing step 2. Over the years I've worked in the medical field, but was really depressed and sort of lost. I've come around to the fact that I really want to do a residency. Is this still a possibility for me? I understand the argument for most that medical knowledge changes rapidly, but I haven't taken step 2. I would think that passing and possibly doing well on step 2 would verify that my medical knowledge base is up to date. Thoughts?

 

[EthylMethylMan]

Your chances of securing a residency are basically zero. Any gap from year of graduation is bad, especially when it’s more than one year. Add on a step failure and it’s essentially the nail in the coffin. Think about it from the programs’ perspective. They have a pool of MS4s whose medical knowledge is still fresh since they’re still in school. Most of them also don’t have a step failure. There are of course some programs that fail to fill consistently, and there’s a slim but non-zero probability that they would take a chance on you. But it’s such a long shot that I don’t think it’s worth the time or money. Also, be honest with yourself, there’s no way your medical knowledge is on-par with a clinical-year med student at this point. Not only would you be very far behind as an intern, but you’d potentially be a safety liability.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I unfortunately tend to agree, I think your chance to pursue residency has passed. It is no longer simply a medical knowledge base issue, but also now a concern for atrophy of your clinical skills from being out of medical training for 5 years (will be 6 by the time you would start residency).

I wish I had a more hopeful perspective to share.

 

[eforest]

So, as the title states, I'm in this situation of having graduated from medical school in 2020. During that time, I took step 2 and failed, but the school allowed me to graduate without passing step 2. Over the years I've worked in the medical field, but was really depressed and sort of lost. I've come around to the fact that I really want to do a residency. Is this still a possibility for me? I understand the argument for most that medical knowledge changes rapidly, but I haven't taken step 2. I would think that passing and possibly doing well on step 2 would verify that my medical knowledge base is up to date. Thoughts?

You passed step 1? That’s harder than step 2. What happened? Why didn’t you retake?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You also have the problem that many states have a time limit on completing the entire USMLE sequence - usually 7 years, occasionally 10. It will be impossible for you to do so now. Theoretically the rule won't apply to a training license, but many programs will be leery regardless.

 

[WIFEL585]

Yes it is possible. I wouldn’t listen to random anonymous internet people who say it’s not possible to get into residency after a failed board exam (many of the people who give this advice are administrators/business people and not actual medical doctors who are qualified to speak on this specific issue).

I personally know of people who failed the COMLEX multiple times, then went back to a different medical school that requires the USMLE instead, cleared that and got into residency. Of course it’s a much harder road but absolutely 100% doable.

It’s just a matter of studying and grinding hard and long enough, making sure the practice tests you take are within acceptable range, etc.

 

[Goro]

Administrators??? The people giving advice here are not administrators, they work for a living! They teach medical students and there are plenty of them who are involved in the aspects of delivering medical education, starting at the program director level.

Zebras happen, but then again so does life. I wouldn't plan on winning the lottery as a source of retirement funds for my 401k.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes it is possible. I wouldn’t listen to random anonymous internet people who say it’s not possible to get into residency after a failed board exam (many of the people who give this advice are administrators/business people and not actual medical doctors who are qualified to speak on this specific issue).

I personally know of people who failed the COMLEX multiple times, then went back to a different medical school that requires the USMLE instead, cleared that and got into residency. Of course it’s a much harder road but absolutely 100% doable.

It’s just a matter of studying and grinding hard and long enough, making sure the practice tests you take are within acceptable range, etc.

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Is it me, or aren't you an example of a "random anonymous internet person"? 🙂 (OP has a 10-year member badge!)

 

[GoSpursGo]

Yes it is possible. I wouldn’t listen to random anonymous internet people who say it’s not possible to get into residency after a failed board exam (many of the people who give this advice are administrators/business people and not actual medical doctors who are qualified to speak on this specific issue).

I personally know of people who failed the COMLEX multiple times, then went back to a different medical school that requires the USMLE instead, cleared that and got into residency. Of course it’s a much harder road but absolutely 100% doable.

It’s just a matter of studying and grinding hard and long enough, making sure the practice tests you take are within acceptable range, etc.

You missed the part where the OP graduated 5 years ago.

Agree that an isolated failed board exam isn't fatal, however that isn't what we're dealing with here

 

[trying-to-make-it]

So, as the title states, I'm in this situation of having graduated from medical school in 2020. During that time, I took step 2 and failed, but the school allowed me to graduate without passing step 2. Over the years I've worked in the medical field, but was really depressed and sort of lost. I've come around to the fact that I really want to do a residency. Is this still a possibility for me? I understand the argument for most that medical knowledge changes rapidly, but I haven't taken step 2. I would think that passing and possibly doing well on step 2 would verify that my medical knowledge base is up to date. Thoughts?

hey don't count yourself out just yet. it will be hard but if your willing to work towards passing your step 2ck and then basically showing a program that you learned from your past, then a program can look towards accepting you into a residency program.

The reason why i say that is because of the fact that its not common like others have said, but there have been people who have been kicked out of medical school or people who have quit medical school and then go on to do something else (lets say pharmacy, and really wasn't happy with it b/c their true passion was medicine), those same people worked their butts off and was able to get back into med school and pass their boards and end up in residency. But like others have said, its not common but at the same time its not impossible.

It comes down to how bad do you want it and are you willing to at least get over that first hump which is passing the step 2ck exam and really taking a step back and looking within yourself to find out why you decided to stop yourself after failing the exam. Because at the end of the day there are people who fail the boards and then go back and pass them and end up in residency. Not everyone is a genius and just breezes through medical school. In fact i would say most people are struggling but they learn through those hard times and thats how they pass their exams but constantly learning from their mistakes.

So if your serious, then lets start doing questions as soon as you can so you can build back up a rhythm to learn how to break down questions and start reviewing the material. Also the other thing which others pointed out would be, when did you take step 1 exam but there is a 7 or 10 year time limit from the time that you pass step 1 exam to the time you complete step 3. If you haven't passed that time limit then you can just go on to step 2ck but if you did, it just means you would have to do step 1 exam all over again, which in reality as start to study for step 2ck you will have to review step 1 material.

Don't give up on your dreams. the reason why i am so passionate about this is because i listened to a podcast of a young lady who was 13 years out from graduating from medical school and now she is doing her specialty, if she can fight for so long and get into a residency program after 13 years and then do well in that program so much that she gets a fellowship, then every last one of us have no excuse to not attain what we want in life.

 

[Splenda88]

There is a chance for EM, FM and IM in that order, but it's not good especially if you are not a US student

My roommate in med school graduated in 2017. He failed step1/2 and he is a PGY2 EM resident now. He was out for 5 years working as a scribe.

I have another friend from a Carib school. Failed step2 CS once, Step 2CK twice and step3 twice. He is a PGY1 FM resident now. I think he was out for 4 years. He told me they have gotten rid of step 2CS and he did not have to retake it.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Without step 2, no chance. If by chance you do take it and pass your best bet would be a prelim or TYR year

 

[VincentAdultman]

Yes it is possible. I wouldn’t listen to random anonymous internet people who say it’s not possible to get into residency after a failed board exam (many of the people who give this advice are administrators/business people and not actual medical doctors who are qualified to speak on this specific issue).

I personally know of people who failed the COMLEX multiple times, then went back to a different medical school that requires the USMLE instead, cleared that and got into residency. Of course it’s a much harder road but absolutely 100% doable.

It’s just a matter of studying and grinding hard and long enough, making sure the practice tests you take are within acceptable range, etc.

I personally am shocked that “lie on your application” guy got his membership revoked.

Shocked and stunned…

 

[FMRESIDENT135]

I personally am shocked that “lie on your application” guy got his membership revoked.

Shocked and stunned…

😆😆😆 lmao who cares??? only losers care about their 'membership status' on an irrelevant anonymous internet forum that's been dead for the last 3 years at least. that guy is probably off to bigger and better things in real life like making physician money, not worrying about what anonymous SDN'er nobodies think of him. what he said is true though - lot of loser mentalities who think multiple failed COMLEXes = end of the road to doctor and those people are foolish and wrong, basically talking out of their azz.

peace out.

 

[VincentAdultman]

😆😆😆 lmao who cares???

Probably the guy who’s responding to a two month old post.

 

[Dr. Robb Bassett]

Hey, thanks for being so open about where you're at — that alone takes a lot of strength. The journey you’ve been on isn’t easy, and reading your post, I can feel the weight of the time that’s passed and the hope that’s still in you. That matters.

The short answer is yes, it’s still possible. People take winding paths into residency more often than we hear about, especially when they’ve had to step away for mental health reasons, family responsibilities, or simply to get clarity. You’re not alone in this, even if it feels like you are.

You’re absolutely right that doing well on Step 2 now would send a clear signal that your knowledge is current and solid — and honestly, that you’ve grown and endured. The test score becomes more than just a score; it becomes a kind of statement: I’m still here. I’ve done the work. I’m ready. Programs may have questions, sure, but many will respect the perseverance — especially if your application reflects reflection, resilience, and a genuine readiness for residency life.

A few gentle coaching-style questions to explore (just for you — no need to answer here unless you want to):

• What has your time away taught you about why you want to practice medicine now?
  
  
• What kind of environment would help you thrive during residency?
  
  
• How will you frame this chapter of your story — not as a gap, but as a growth arc?
  

If you do decide to take Step 2 again, maybe consider pairing that with something clinical — research, shadowing, volunteering — even just a few hours a week. It helps build momentum, reminds you why you’re doing it, and gives you something tangible to talk about on your personal statement and in interviews.

You’ve already done something huge by deciding you want this again. Don’t underestimate the power of that clarity.

Wishing you strength as you take the next step. You've got this.

 

[Anonymous2399]

Hi think you should take step 2. And then apply community FM or EM. Lots of new community programs opening up. I was told here I wouldn’t match psychiatry after I got a low Step 2 score. Matched psychiatry at a community program (over 10 interviews).

Also talk to application services which can help you craft a good story. That’s what I did. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous2399]

Also it will depend on whether you are a US MD, US DO, or US IMG. I am a US MD so I think programs were more forgiving.