Any Chances at Residency?

[Hashirama]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Well...I'm a sad case. Started offshore med school from one of the top 4 in 2006, passed step 1 and CS barely and failed step 2CK 2 times before passing it barely as well...took a lot of time off due to social issues (divorce/abortion...all during step 2Ck prep) almost got kicked out of Med school but finally was able to finish school last year. Got a MD, ECFMG certificate...nothing else. My med school GPA was 3.4, high grades at my rotations years ago...but I know those are irrelevant now.

Didn't even apply for residency this year because I thought I wouldn't even stand a chance and was hoping to do well in Step 3 to compensate for my flaws....but doesn't feel like I am doing it. Working odd jobs to support myself and pay my loans. I don't even know whether or not I should continue my path in Medicine. Depression and thoughts of suicides constantly plagues me. US IMG, 30yrs old. No job, no outlook...really really want to be a physician, but don't know how to anymore....wasted a lot of time and money. Any suggestions or comments welcome. Please help...

 

[Residentcool]

Well...I'm a sad case. Started offshore med school from one of the top 4 in 2006, passed step 1 and CS barely and failed step 2CK 2 times before passing it barely as well...took a lot of time off due to social issues (divorce/abortion...all during step 2Ck prep) almost got kicked out of Med school but finally was able to finish school last year. Got a MD, ECFMG certificate...nothing else. My med school GPA was 3.4, high grades at my rotations years ago...but I know those are irrelevant now.

Didn't even apply for residency this year because I thought I wouldn't even stand a chance and was hoping to do well in Step 3 to compensate for my flaws....but doesn't feel like I am doing it. Working odd jobs to support myself and pay my loans. I don't even know whether or not I should continue my path in Medicine. Depression and thoughts of suicides constantly plagues me. US IMG, 30yrs old. No job, no outlook...really really want to be a physician, but don't know how to anymore....wasted a lot of time and money. Any suggestions or comments welcome. Please help...

I don't think it's impossible. It may not be easy but not impossible. I think you still have a shot at FM/IM/peds/psych. Have you also thought of residencies like preventive medicine? They usually go outside the match, and there are frequently positions open as not too many people go into them.

Don't lose hope.

 

[umean2tellme]

I'm sorry to hear about your issues. You should definitely study hard for Step 3 and have that score before you apply for next year. Definitely look at specialties like primary care specialties and psych and apply broadly. As far as the depression, maybe you should consider getting some professional help for that so that you do not hurt yourself. You are a medical school graduate, which is a lot more than many people can say. Don't give up hope and keep pushing forward.

 

[Rendar5]

honestly not sure you're in any condition to deal with the psychologic rigors of a stretchy residency application if you're currently suicidal. You've got a few months before the next application cycle. See psych or therapy and get your mind in a better place first.

 

[Vita]

honestly not sure you're in any condition to deal with the psychologic rigors of a stretchy residency application if you're currently suicidal. You've got a few months before the next application cycle. See psych or therapy and get your mind in a better place first.

This. I think you need to get some help for your psych issues first, and then worry about step 3/the match process. The depression/ suicidal thoughts will not make it any easier to focus on studying, and I don't think getting a stellar step 3 score would cure your depression either.

 

[unsung]

You can likely find a psych residency somewhere. Spin your life difficulties into "experiences" that will make you a better psychiatrist.

That said, I don't think it's necessarily a good thing that many who go into psych have issues themselves. I would encourage you to sort out your depression first before looking into residencies.

 

[bennybrak]

Sorry about your situation. I just want to say that other people have also been in situations like yours. The fact that you are even seeking here is a sign that there is still a fighter in you and that uou are strong enough to pull through this. I recommend you get some therapy to clear your head. The mere fact that you've been able to complete med school and even pass the steps means you are smart enough to be a doctor. Don't give up! Listen to the advice suggested above. Work your way into a specialty that is easier to match into. Sometimes some slots pop up after the match through sites like residencyswap.com so keep your ears on the ground. Wherever you find yourself eventually, just be thankful. After all, it's all about helping sick people.

 

[Top Gun]

Agree with the others. Work on your depression issues first. Get started on antidepressants, go to therapy, etc... Once you've done that, and you're no longer suicidal, start the application process. I don't think your situation is necessarily hopeless. It will be difficult, but not impossible for you to land a residency. Your best bet is the less competitive specialties like FM, psych, path, maybe IM or peds.

 

[Hashirama]

Thank you very very much everyone. For the past couple years I have been isolating myself from my friends and family. Doing odd jobs to get by and pay off my loans. I have just recently started to talk with couple of my friends. I know there is still a lot of work to be done in order for me to get back up on my feet, but I am eager to do whatever I can. I am tired of sitting around mopping all day, hating my job, reminiscing my mistakes, and feeling depressed. I am very eager to work...I want to start working as a physician and help others. I miss those times I spent in a hospital as a student...doing things I enjoy. I think that is the only way I can start to feel better about myself.

I have seen couple therapists in the past, but all I got was some mood/sleep meds (trazadone). I think at this point I need some sort of guidance on how I can accomplish my goal...I have come so far as a 1st gen college student...and I owe it to myself to cross the finish line. I am willing to work hard but I need a strategy...I feel so lost and often wonder if what I am doing is right or wrong.

 

[Noegrus]

If you have health insurance through your employer then go see your PCP. It is likely that your PCP will start you on an SSRI. Trazadone is also an antidepressant. If it is not working for you then it maybe time to change that. Go out, join a gym - most have daily aerobics classes. Physical activity is great for depression. If you have medical schools or community hospitals with primary care residencies closeby than email the PDs and ask to meet them for advice. Write short emails. Many if not most PDs agree to meet up. Talk about the future, not the past (besides mentioning that a couple of major points showing your struggle). Ask them for advice on how to approach the application process and how to present yourself as a great candidate by focusing on your strengths. Many a time these same people will end up matching you or giving you an out of match position.
You'd do just fine, provided you try. You will succeed.

 

[J-Rad]

Thank you very very much everyone. For the past couple years I have been isolating myself from my friends and family. Doing odd jobs to get by and pay off my loans. I have just recently started to talk with couple of my friends. I know there is still a lot of work to be done in order for me to get back up on my feet, but I am eager to do whatever I can. I am tired of sitting around mopping all day, hating my job, reminiscing my mistakes, and feeling depressed. I am very eager to work...I want to start working as a physician and help others. I miss those times I spent in a hospital as a student...doing things I enjoy. I think that is the only way I can start to feel better about myself.

I have seen couple therapists in the past, but all I got was some mood/sleep meds (trazadone). I think at this point I need some sort of guidance on how I can accomplish my goal...I have come so far as a 1st gen college student...and I owe it to myself to cross the finish line. I am willing to work hard but I need a strategy...I feel so lost and often wonder if what I am doing is right or wrong.

I am glad to read that you are trying to get through this rough period in your life. I agree with everyone above (and thank them for their level-headed responses) that you should continue to seek competent professional help with the depression and suicidal thoughts that plague you. I would also like to provide you with some information about some resources for when you feel you are at your lowest and you might think things look too bleak: One free resource available in the US is the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Their website also lists local crisis centers.

Welcome to the SDN community and I hope you'll stay and enjoy the community, but I would remind you that SDN is not an appropriate place to obtain counseling or other advice regarding significant psychological issues. Above all, we want all our members to remain safe and professionals available in real-life to you are best.

 

[Hashirama]

Thank you MOD. I did not come here to seek counseling nor any sort of professional help in regards to my mental state. I have come a long way since my depression and this is me getting back up...I came here to seek advice and strategy on how to accomplish my goal of becoming a physician. I want to sincerely thank everyone's helpful comments. I know there is still a lot of things I need to do, and I should man up and finish what I have started.

 

[dragonfly99]

I don't think it is hopeless.
A lot of people have dealt with depression in the past, and you just failed 1 of the steps, which doesn't necessarily make it impossible to get some sort of residency.
There is a lot of variability in difficult in getting into residencies, according to what specialty you try to get, and where the program is located. Places in rural areas just don't get nearly as many competitive applicants, and it's not necessarily even that they are "bad" places, just that a lot of people like to be in a big city (this includes a lot of US students as well as FMG applicants who might fear social isolation in a rural area and/or tend to be from large foreign cities in India, etc.).
I think first off treat your depression and then after a few months start looking for a residency spot.
The person who had the idea about emailing local program directors (for family practice, psych, etc.) had a good idea. The worst they can say is "no" and then you are just back right where you are, not worse off. Probably you will be able to get some form of advice from some of them - as long as you are not stalkerish and emailing and calling them 10 times, there is not much down side to trying.
I also think it is important to think about what you would like to do as a career. It seems that you still have enthusiasm about treating patients/patient care so I don't think you should give up on medicine yet. I'm not sure taking the step 3 is necessary right now. I've never been an FMG or IMG applicant, but I thought that 1/2 is all that is necessary to apply for residency. I would first worry about becoming not depressed, and then about formulating your residency application, and then if there is time maybe take the Step 3. But maybe that is something to ask some of those program directors (about whether it is helpful or necessary to take the Step 3 @this point, or just wait).

You should think about which specialties you would like. For example, do you like to treat adults more, or kids? Or both? If both then family practice might be good, and it's less competitive that pediatrics. I personally didn't like treating kids that much (or just didn't like dealing with anxious parent + kid together), so it narrowed down my potential specialty choices. Think about which rotations you liked during med school. If you liked ER and surgery, then family practice might be good b/c they do more procedures, etc. If you think you might want to subspecialize later, and/or you liked the problem solving and the over aged 45 type patients, then internal medicine might be good. If you like having good hours and are interested in physical medicine type stuff, then PM and R is one specialty that I think doesn't get that many people applying and might be easier to get than a lot of other specialties. I also noticed in the past that neurology and psych tended to turn up with open spots in the middle of the year sometimes (in addition to fp and occasional internal medicine spots showing up).

 

[Buzz Me]

Depression and thoughts of suicides constantly plagues me.

Please seek some professional help for this. Your health and well-being are much more important than anything else right now.

 

[Hashirama]

Thank you for your response!! You have been a big help. Question: Do you think it would be a good idea to finish step3 or should I get started on observerships or research? Will a good score on step 3 help? I know there is only a few months since the next application pool. I want to be ready. Thank you again.