Carib Student, failed Step 1 and other red flags

[Mistfall1]

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I recently finally passed my USMLE Step 1 after 1 failed attempt. I scored a 240 on the retake, however it took me over a year the first time to study and now a second year for the retake. So literally I will have a two year gap in my transcript.

I have no idea how to improve my application for the next match with such huge a huge red-flag. I also need a J1-Visa which makes it even more difficult.

 

[IMPD]

There are all kinds of difficulties folks have with applications. J1-visa requirements are not one of them, as any program that is willing to interview an IMG will know what that entails.

Failure and delays are two big problems, however.

As in any kind of dating scenario, you have to compensate for your not-great features by having something else for the PD to look at. Research? Rotation at the institution you're applying to? Letter from someone the PD actually knows? A personal statement that actually expresses specific reasons for doing medicine?

The total mix of good-and-bad is impossible to quantify, except to say that the deeper your hole is, the harder it is (duh.)

There is another thread on here with an applicant with a 10-year gap. I would guess that his/her chances of matching are low, but I can't say they're zero, because of the multitude of factors.

 

[Top Gun]

As long as you don't screw up Step 2 CK and CS, do well in your clinicals, and get great LORs, you should have a chance at matching. You won't be matching into anything competitive like derm though. Your best shot would be at FP, psych, path, maybe IM or peds.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Well, the good news is that in your retake, you scored much, much better. That's a much better situation than a long gap and barely passing.

From your post, I'm assuming you haven't been dismissed from medical school, so that's good.

You need to basically do as well as possible going forward without additional problems:

1. Do well on your clerkships.
2. Pass Step 2 and get a similarly good score (although Step 2 scores have inflated greatly, 237 is the mean)
3. Choose a field to apply to that is reasonable.
4. Try to do an away rotation in that field at a US program. You want a SubI if possible, not an elective. You want to work hard, and prove you can do the work.

 

[gopher00]

I was in a similar situation, but you did way better than I did on your retake. I've been fortunate to have a good number of interviews this year probably due to the fact that I applied VERY broadly and got strong LORs. The fact that you need a visa is going to be tougher on you, but it's completely doable. I think it also helps to have a well formed personal statement on why you failed and what you learned. Show them that it was a one time mistake and you grew from it.

 

[MadHopsMD]

There are all kinds of difficulties folks have with applications. J1-visa requirements are not one of them, as any program that is willing to interview an IMG will know what that entails.

Failure and delays are two big problems, however.

As in any kind of dating scenario, you have to compensate for your not-great features by having something else for the PD to look at. Research? Rotation at the institution you're applying to? Letter from someone the PD actually knows? A personal statement that actually expresses specific reasons for doing medicine?

The total mix of good-and-bad is impossible to quantify, except to say that the deeper your hole is, the harder it is (duh.)

There is another thread on here with an applicant with a 10-year gap. I would guess that his/her chances of matching are low, but I can't say they're zero, because of the multitude of factors.

J1 visa is indeed a determinant. Apply broadly. Make sure you dont have any more redflags.