Do I have a chance?

[google_singh]

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Hi there!

I am an FMG. I passed my step 1 with 88/213 and CS on 1st attempt. However I failed CK by 1 mark. Actually I was surprised because according to me, I did CK pretty well and much better than both Step1 and CS. the reason I screwed up my score was probably I wanted to match this year and in order to complete all steps b4 september, i gave it without adequate prep.
I did 1 month observership in Anesthesiology in US and I did my med schooling from a consistently #2-3 ranked medical college of India.Also I need a visa as well(i.e I not a GC holder/citizen)

Now my question is -is it worth giving CK again? I wanted to land in IM but would probably settle with FM as well.What other specialties will accept me? I saw on lots of forums that IMGs with scores in high 90s are getting very few ivs this year and many not at all. What other options are there for me? Should I give Step 3 as well to make my CV better? What else can I do? I feel so depressed at times!

 

[Blade28]

If you failed Step 2 CK, you're not going to be ECFMG-certified without passing, IIRC.

Check www.ecfmg.org for more info.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hi there!

I am an FMG. I passed my step 1 with 88/213 and CS on 1st attempt. However I failed CK by 1 mark. Actually I was surprised because according to me, I did CK pretty well and much better than both Step1 and CS. the reason I screwed up my score was probably I wanted to match this year and in order to complete all steps b4 september, i gave it without adequate prep.
I did 1 month observership in Anesthesiology in US and I did my med schooling from a consistently #2-3 ranked medical college of India.Also I need a visa as well(i.e I not a GC holder/citizen)

Now my question is -is it worth giving CK again? I wanted to land in IM but would probably settle with FM as well.What other specialties will accept me? I saw on lots of forums that IMGs with scores in high 90s are getting very few ivs this year and many not at all. What other options are there for me? Should I give Step 3 as well to make my CV better? What else can I do? I feel so depressed at times!

Unfortunately, we have no good answers for "WAMC" (what are my chances?) threads. That said, your application will not be well received with a failure in one of the USMLE Steps and no real plan to rectify it.

Regardless of what you apply for, IMHO, you must retake the CK portion prior to your application because programs are going to want proof that you can and have passed it. Taking Step 3 is a bonus, but without Step 2 completely passed, I think most programs won't look at your application once they see you have failed the CK portion.

So, I don't think its a matter of WHAT you should apply for, but rather you should retake the CK portion (and pass it) before you apply for anything because without passing CK, you aren't eligible for ECFMG certification and without the certification, you are not eligible for a US residency in any field.

 

[Doowai]

I think my favorite (in the sense of the horrible singers on AMERICAN IDOL are my faves) is WAMC of dying alone/single/getting married.

I have a physical examination with my primary care in February. I am 46. What are my chances of getting a prostate exam?

 

[Blade28]

I think my favorite (in the sense of the horrible singers on AMERICAN IDOL are my faves) is WAMC of dying alone/single/getting married.

I have a physical examination with my primary care in February. I am 46. What are my chances of getting a prostate exam?

👍

 

[buckley]

the hardest pill for me to swallow in making the decision to take the mle road is the uncertainty of it. it's high investment, and there are no assurances. nobody can tell you what your chances are, what you are willing to risk and how much do you really want US training. believe me those questions will ring in your head all through out...hahaha

admittedly, it's tough. i think you need only to check out certain websites to get your fair share of depressed IMGs. but there are many also who have traveled the road and are quite happy with where they are. there will be tales of 99ers who did not match and 76ers who matched.

my advice on your case? take CK and ace it as best as you can. your next move will come from the results of that. get more usce if you have to. apply to not-so-popular states and small programs. put in a long shot or two just to inspire you to ace the exams...besides, you never know...right? good luck!

 

[google_singh]

Unfortunately, we have no good answers for "WAMC" (what are my chances?) threads. That said, your application will not be well received with a failure in one of the USMLE Steps and no real plan to rectify it.

Regardless of what you apply for, IMHO, you must retake the CK portion prior to your application because programs are going to want proof that you can and have passed it. Taking Step 3 is a bonus, but without Step 2 completely passed, I think most programs won't look at your application once they see you have failed the CK portion.

So, I don't think its a matter of WHAT you should apply for, but rather you should retake the CK portion (and pass it) before you apply for anything because without passing CK, you aren't eligible for ECFMG certification and without the certification, you are not eligible for a US residency in any field.

My plan is not to apply in this year's match but next year's. Obviously I would be ECFMG certified then.( I hope i pass CK in my 2nd attempt)
I just want to know are applications of FMGs with an attempt even considered or r they just screened out by most programs? I know this is a very relative question . But I mean even if I put my time & money to give Step2CK(again) and Step 3 , will it be worth?
And apart from IM,FM and Psy....which fields are likely to accept my creds

 

[mspushups]

1. FMGs who fail then ace on re-attempt are considered by residency programs.
2. There is no data on whether most/some/many/which residency programs consider said applicants, do not waste time trying to answer this question.
3. Do not pick specialty based on ease of entry. If you are unsure/flexible... go with primary care and choose adults(IM) vs. peds vs. both(Family).
4. Do not waste time with Step 3... if you pass it might help a little, if you fail it will definately hurt. Concentrate on CK re-attempt. Blow it out the water.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

4. Do not waste time with Step 3... if you pass it might help a little, if you fail it will definately hurt. Concentrate on CK re-attempt. Blow it out the water.

If you want an H1b visa, you will need Step 3 also. Otherwise, I agree with focusing on Step 2. In some ways, failing step 2 by one point works in your favor. Had you passed by a single point, you might have trouble getting a spot with a low score. This gives you a chance to score better.

 

[iamcatwoman]

My plan is not to apply in this year's match but next year's. Obviously I would be ECFMG certified then.( I hope i pass CK in my 2nd attempt)
I just want to know are applications of FMGs with an attempt even considered or r they just screened out by most programs? I know this is a very relative question . But I mean even if I put my time & money to give Step2CK(again) and Step 3 , will it be worth?
And apart from IM,FM and Psy....which fields are likely to accept my creds

Retake CS, Study hard and get a really good score on it. Get good USCE, and work on your personal statement (which I think is a really important component of your application, especially if you're thinking of applying for FM). From what i understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong) when programs do the first round of screening - which is usually based on USMLE scores - the ERAS software doesn't actually show the number of attempts. This is something that is then picked up when your application is further reviewed, and then you may have a better chance of having your entire application (LORs, PS) looked at.

You should be able to find a program that will consider your application as long as it is a good, well-rounded application. Also, contact the programs prior to applying and ask them whether they will consider applicants with 2nd attempt scores. In my experience, residency coordinators are usually very honest 😉,

 

[google_singh]

Thank you all for ur responses.......makes me feel somewhat better.

From what i understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong) when programs do the first round of screening - which is usually based on USMLE scores - the ERAS software doesn't actually show the number of attempts

Is it really true......if it is then its really good. And btw "aProgDirector", r u really a program director? If yes, then i hope u wont mind telling us about what iamcatwoman said about ERAS software if it's not against rules?

And yeah will the Observership in Anesthesiology and an LOR from an Anesthesiologist help ......bcoz in a sense i am not applying to anesthesiology but rather IM or FM....so will that LoR count ....also I did it under a DO doctor.....does it matter ?

 

[Blade28]

And btw "aProgDirector", r u really a program director?

Yes, he is (in IM, as stated earlier).

 

[secretwave101]

Once ECFMG certified, you'll get in somewhere. Just apply to a few more programs than you might have if everything had gone right.

You're all good, dude. Just pass the test.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Is it really true......if it is then its really good. And btw "aProgDirector", r u really a program director? If yes, then i hope u wont mind telling us about what iamcatwoman said about ERAS software if it's not against rules?

And yeah will the Observership in Anesthesiology and an LOR from an Anesthesiologist help ......bcoz in a sense i am not applying to anesthesiology but rather IM or FM....so will that LoR count ....also I did it under a DO doctor.....does it matter ?

The statement about ERAS above is true. If I ask ERAS to show me all international grads with a USMLE score above 200, it only looks at the last time you took each step of the USMLE. Then, when I review the application in full, I see the whole USMLE report with each attempt documented.

LOR's from outside your primary field of interest are fine, esp in IM and FM. If you're applying for surgery, then only surgical letters mean anything.

 

[buckley]

Once ECFMG certified, you'll get in somewhere. Just apply to a few more programs than you might have if everything had gone right.

You're all good, dude. Just pass the test.

not to be a cynic, but this isn't necessarily true...but, yes, you can still find a place

 

[google_singh]

Yes, he is (in IM, as stated earlier).

Wow .....thats so nice!

You're all good, dude. Just pass the test.

Hey Thanks a lot!

The statement about ERAS above is true. If I ask ERAS to show me all international grads with a USMLE score above 200, it only looks at the last time you took each step of the USMLE. Then, when I review the application in full, I see the whole USMLE report with each attempt documented.

Thats something which I never knew.Thanks for the info.