Chances to match after an attempt in Step 3. (PDs, PCs and Faculty please give your feedback)

[serumplasma]

Dear Colleagues,

I am a Non-US IMG with scores of 228 and 239 in Step 1 and Step 2 CK and passed Step 2 CS, all these exams on the first attempt. My year of graduation is 2015. Last year before the match I had an unfortunate attempt in Step 3. I did not take this exam lighter, and I never do because I know being a visa requiring IMG, if I fail, I have so much at stake. I did everything best to get rid of this exam in my first attempt, but I was not lucky enough on that day. I passed the exam on my second try last year in October 2016 with a score above 200.

I have ten months of United States Clinical Experience, six months of research experience and eight PubMed indexed publications (4 publications first authored). I have oral presentations, poster presentations. I have been active and enterprising in every kind of academic activity possible. Currently, I am working as a research assistant in one of the Ivy League Universities.

This is my second match, and I have no interviews so far. I cannot get over the feeling of incompetence and disappointment as I am not getting interviews. I am so much demoralized you can say. I hoped my hard work would pay off, but I have never been so much disappointed in my life.

I know many of you will see this as foolish and silly, but I want your honest feedback about my chances of matching into Internal Medicine residency. I feel like I do not stand a chance in the USA since the system is designed in such way that I’ll be judged on my one failure in USMLE exam (Step 3 which is not even required by the programs for the residency) and not by my accomplishments and capabilities which I have throughout my academic life.

Any feedback will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

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[gutonc]

Specialty? Number of programs applied to?

Honestly, the failed (now passed) Step 3 is not the issue you're making it out to be.

 

[serumplasma]

Specialty? Number of programs applied to?

Honestly, the failed (now passed) Step 3 is not the issue you're making it out to be.

Speciality is IM. Programs applied is 130.

What do you think can be a problem with such a profile? Would like to take your feedback.

 

[Lexdiamondz]

You’re an FMG two years out with a visa requirement who failed Step 3. There isn’t much to boost your application, you’ve already done anything.

Your best bet is probably to network your ass off and try to build connections at lower tier community IM programs if you want a shot at being a practicing physician in the states.

 

[serumplasma]

Do you think contacts can help me get interviews? I feel shy taking help from them since their reputation is at stake with my attempt.

 

[serumplasma]

You’re an FMG two years out with a visa requirement who failed Step 3. There isn’t much to boost your application, you’ve already done anything.

Your best bet is probably to network your ass off and try to build connections at lower tier community IM programs if you want a shot at being a practicing physician in the states.

Do you think contacts can help me get interviews? I feel shy taking help from them since their reputation is at stake with my attempt.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

When you applied last year, did you already have S3 on your transcript? Or did you apply, and then have the score come back so it wouldn't be on your transcript?

What happened last year? Did you get any interviews?

What school did you attend?

 

[serumplasma]

When you applied last year, did you already have S3 on your transcript? Or did you apply, and then have the score come back so it wouldn't be on your transcript?

What happened last year? Did you get any interviews?

What school did you attend?

Yes. Step 3 was on my transcript as I got my result on September 1st last year.
I got four interviews last year. I was hopeful to match until the Trump ban issue in January. Two programs though very IMG friendly did not rank anyone with Visa. So technically I was left with two programs to match.

 

[Pathbusiness]

You are making a big deal out of nothing. You have a strong application and will match. An attempt in step 3 is not an issue. Even a lot of AMG's fail during residency. Don't loose confidence on something so small in bigger scheme of things.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The OP is definitely not making a big deal out of nothing. They applied last year, only got 4 interviews, and didn't match. This year they have a passed S3, so that's better.

I'm responding because you answered my questions, but now I'm realizing I don't know what to tell you. As stated, you seem to have a very decent application. If your visa needs to come from Iran or one of the "banned" travel countries, then that may be the issue. Programs may be skittish about dealing with a visa from those countries. Otherwise, I would expect you'd get nibbles from some of the univ affiliated community programs. I'm not sure why that's not happening. You have plenty of US experience, and reasonable USMLE's. What country is your visa going to be based out of?

 

[serumplasma]

You are making a big deal out of nothing. You have a strong application and will match. An attempt in step 3 is not an issue. Even a lot of AMG's fail during residency. Don't loose confidence on something so small in bigger scheme of things.

Thank you so much for your motivating response. I was thinking that may be this attempt will screen me out of the applicant pool and my application will not reach the table. When do you think I should be expecting interviews?

 

[serumplasma]

The OP is definitely not making a big deal out of nothing. They applied last year, only got 4 interviews, and didn't match. This year they have a passed S3, so that's better.

I'm responding because you answered my questions, but now I'm realizing I don't know what to tell you. As stated, you seem to have a very decent application. If your visa needs to come from Iran or one of the "banned" travel countries, then that may be the issue. Programs may be skittish about dealing with a visa from those countries. Otherwise, I would expect you'd get nibbles from some of the univ affiliated community programs. I'm not sure why that's not happening. You have plenty of US experience, and reasonable USMLE's. What country is your visa going to be based out of?

I am from Pakistan and i am in the US on a J1 visa as i am going research here in Ivy League University.

 

[Pathbusiness]

Apply to more programs and interviews will come. Step 3 passing is a big deal for a lot of programs.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

That could be part of the problem. There were some problems getting J visas from Pakistan last year, although if you're already here on a J that shouldn't be an issue since switching from a Research J to a Clinical J should be seemless.

 

[rokshana]

Apply to more programs and interviews will come. Step 3 passing is a big deal for a lot of programs.

no, its not...having failed it can be, especially if the program requires it for promotion.
Its the visa issue...

to the OP, is there someone where you are now for research that you can talk to? an APD or faculty that is involved in resident selection that could give you some guidance.

its early, but if you haven't received invites, you may want to start calling and find out what you status is with their program.