Can you match into prelim IM even if you get no interview invites?

[lovebes]

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Hello everyone, I would like to ask 2 short questions:

background: I am going to take CK and CS in December. US-IMG, not stellar Step 1 score, average background. Applied super broadly into FM.

1. As a backup I'm gonna apply to some 20~40 prelim IM spots as well (going for FM).
If I don't get any interview from the prelim IM spots, is there still a likelihood I can match into prelim IM?
That's assuming I don't match into any of the FM choices - since I'll be putting prelim IM at the bottom of the rank list.

2. Also, do you I should play it real safe and rank the prelim IM's first? and hope for better results next match?
(Another reason is maybe that can bump up my possibility of matching into California FM programs)

Thank you so much. I'm so stressed and have little idea of how to plan these variables floating around.
I would really appreciate any input.

 

[gutonc]

Hello everyone, I would like to ask 2 short questions:

background: I am going to take CK and CS in December. US-IMG, not stellar Step 1 score, average background. Applied super broadly into FM.

So, this is the crux of your problem. You're about 5 months late taking Step 2 if you're an IMG. Most programs won't even look at your app unless you've got those in the bag. At the same time most programs have deadlines for having a complete application in November or early December (usually 12/1) and you're not going to make that cutoff.

1. As a backup I'm gonna apply to some 20~40 prelim IM spots as well (going for FM).
If I don't get any interview from the prelim IM spots, is there still a likelihood I can match into prelim IM?
That's assuming I don't match into any of the FM choices - since I'll be putting prelim IM at the bottom of the rank list.

2. Also, do you I should play it real safe and rank the prelim IM's first? and hope for better results next match?
(Another reason is maybe that can bump up my possibility of matching into California FM programs)

Thank you so much. I'm so stressed and have little idea of how to plan these variables floating around.
I would really appreciate any input.

Don't waste your money on any more applications. Most prelim IM programs are at least as, generally more, competitive than the bulk of FM programs. And since your likelihood of getting interviews anywhere for any specialty are remarkably low (see above), save your cash.

If you don't have your PTAL in hand (which you don't), you're not matching in CA this year.

At this point, your best hope is to SOAP into an FM spot this year (last year there were 132 of these spots available, anticipate similar or lower numbers this year).

 

[Doctor Bob]

If I don't get any interview from the prelim IM spots, is there still a likelihood I can match into prelim IM?

You cannot match without being on a program's rank list as well.
Programs will not put you on their rank list if they have declined to interview you.

 

[lovebes]

Thank you both for your honest, sincere replies.
Can you also please advise me on further plans?

If I don't get any interview invites by end of December, I guess I will pass CK/CS, just sign up for NRMP and go for SOAP.
I guess that's my best bet this year.

For Plan B, what would be the best option to get myself ready for next year's match?
I was thinking about:
1) FM shadowing at local clinic or any possible clinical exposure/ medicine related activity
2) enroll myself to get a MPH degree
3) pass Step 3
4) anything I'm missing

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I've been fighting against constant self-discouragement that started since Step 1, but no matter I think about my life I still gotta be a doctor that practices medicine, so I've matured/healed enough to gain energy for remedying my faults.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thank you both for your honest, sincere replies.
Can you also please advise me on further plans?

If I don't get any interview invites by end of December, I guess I will pass CK/CS, just sign up for NRMP and go for SOAP.
I guess that's my best bet this year.

For Plan B, what would be the best option to get myself ready for next year's match?
I was thinking about:
1) FM shadowing at local clinic or any possible clinical exposure/ medicine related activity
2) enroll myself to get a MPH degree
3) pass Step 3
4) anything I'm missing

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I've been fighting against constant self-discouragement that started since Step 1, but no matter I think about my life I still gotta be a doctor that practices medicine, so I've matured/healed enough to gain energy for remedying my faults.

I would probably do both 1&3. I don't think mph realstically adds that much for the noncompetitive spots you are likely shooting for.

 

[lovebes]

Thanks Law2Doc. Do Step 3 require health institution's sponsor? I might've heard that's the case.

 

[Raryn]

Thanks Law2Doc. Do Step 3 require health institution's sponsor? I might've heard that's the case.

No. It used to require an application through a state board (which you could easily game) but not even that anymore.

 

[lovebes]

Thanks.
Instead of MPH, what about Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP)? It's a fellowship, 2years, much like a masters program, and one of the institution that offer this is the CDC. Would PD's not like this because it's IT related?

 

[gutonc]

Thanks.
Instead of MPH, what about Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP)? It's a fellowship, 2years, much like a masters program, and one of the institution that offer this is the CDC. Would PD's not like this because it's IT related?

You're missing the point. None of those things are going to make up for the rest of the issues (IMG, Low Step 1, delayed matching because of not taking Step 2 in time, etc). Your chance of matching decreases every year after you graduate and nothing (not even a PhD with multiple top 1st author pubs) is going to fix that. So taking 2 extra years to do something that PDs won't care about at all (since they're looking for clinicians) is likely going to make things more difficult for you in matching.

Now, if you're doing one of those things in order to transition to a backup career, that's a reasonable approach. But don't use it to improve your chance of matching down the road...it's not gonna work.

 

[rokshana]

Hello everyone, I would like to ask 2 short questions:

background: I am going to take CK and CS in December. US-IMG, not stellar Step 1 score, average background. Applied super broadly into FM.

1. As a backup I'm gonna apply to some 20~40 prelim IM spots as well (going for FM).
If I don't get any interview from the prelim IM spots, is there still a likelihood I can match into prelim IM?
That's assuming I don't match into any of the FM choices - since I'll be putting prelim IM at the bottom of the rank list.

2. Also, do you I should play it real safe and rank the prelim IM's first? and hope for better results next match?
(Another reason is maybe that can bump up my possibility of matching into California FM programs)

Thank you so much. I'm so stressed and have little idea of how to plan these variables floating around.
I would really appreciate any input.

the BEST thing you can do for your application is to do the things that PDs look for….an in this case get the best scores on your steps…and do them in a timely manner…if you are graduating in 2015, well you have already put yourself behind the 8 ball with this and most likely will not match this year since, for IMGs, the steps needed to be in on the 1st day that eras opened and with a crappy step I score only, most will not give you an interview based on just that. If you have already graduated, then realize that you may need to prep to enter the match next year.

now trying to do another degree, added things that PDs don't care about…this comes up all the time…the best place to put your energies into improving is to get your steps done instead of a bunch of things you somehow think are going to impress a PD.

 

[lovebes]

Ah, I see. Thank you for the advices and putting my head straight. I really appreciate it.