Did not match, need help.

[drkat]

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Hello all,
I am a 4th year DO student, soon to be DO (in May). I applied Pathology (only allopathic spots available) and unfortunately did not match. I have signed a contract to do a traditional rotating internship starting at the end of June.

I still want to do Pathology but am open to other possible fields, such as Pediatrics. I am wondering how to strengthen my application for my second round in the match.

I have taken and passed on the first time, COMLEX I, COMLEX II, COMLEX PE, USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK. I have gotten extra letters of recommendation in Pathology and am doing a month with a pediatrician for a letter after graduation and before I start my internship year.

Should I take USMLE Step 3 before reapplying?

Honestly that's all I could think of as a possible way to strengthen my application for next year. Any ideas? Has anyone gone through this and matched the second time? What did you do? Thanks!

 

[FutureInternist]

Well since there is not anything else you can do to strengthen your application other than research, USMLE 3 would be a good idea, as long as you do well. Were your previous USMLE scores good? or just barely pass?
Taking & failing would suck big-time.
For next year's cycle, make sure you apply even more broadly than before. You may also want to get in touch with some of the programs at which you interviewed to get a sense of what they thought was lacking in your application.

Good Luck