I am currently serving as a Navy GMO (currently on 4rth year) and I am transitioning out of the military. I have applied for 2015 Match into civilian family medicine residency programs. I submitted my application on 15Oct2014 because I wanted all my letters in before I submitted my application (because of two step 1 failures).
I spoke to my two top choice program coordinators prior to applying and they were both enthusiastic about my military background. The programs did not have a board score cut off.
I haven't heard from any program for a week now.
I understand that a lot of programs have filters for step 1 and 2 scores to determine who they are offering interviews to. I am stressed however, because I have passed step 2 and step 3 on first tries. completed FM internship at top 25% of my class with high pass and honors in every rotation. I have four years of "real world" clinical experience...both with really unique and prestigious Marine Corps Groups and strong letters of recommendations (4 total, one from my former program director, two from department heads, and one from former attending). If ALL of that gets thrown out the door because of my step 1 failures...do I even have a chance in the future? I'm just feeling really discouraged right now. Should I contact the program directors? Should I wait? Should I look into other specialties? I really really want to do family medicine.
(btw just as I was starting the Step 1 study season, my mother became ill and I had to take care of her. I'm not using that as an excuse, but I definitely had a lot on my plate that was taking me away from the focused study that is required for that exam. The failures were regrettable, but I can't undo them. I do feel that I have proven since then, that I have the capability to be a good physician. I wish I could just get a chance to let them know this...)
help. input. advice would be much appreciated.
I spoke to my two top choice program coordinators prior to applying and they were both enthusiastic about my military background. The programs did not have a board score cut off.
I haven't heard from any program for a week now.
I understand that a lot of programs have filters for step 1 and 2 scores to determine who they are offering interviews to. I am stressed however, because I have passed step 2 and step 3 on first tries. completed FM internship at top 25% of my class with high pass and honors in every rotation. I have four years of "real world" clinical experience...both with really unique and prestigious Marine Corps Groups and strong letters of recommendations (4 total, one from my former program director, two from department heads, and one from former attending). If ALL of that gets thrown out the door because of my step 1 failures...do I even have a chance in the future? I'm just feeling really discouraged right now. Should I contact the program directors? Should I wait? Should I look into other specialties? I really really want to do family medicine.
(btw just as I was starting the Step 1 study season, my mother became ill and I had to take care of her. I'm not using that as an excuse, but I definitely had a lot on my plate that was taking me away from the focused study that is required for that exam. The failures were regrettable, but I can't undo them. I do feel that I have proven since then, that I have the capability to be a good physician. I wish I could just get a chance to let them know this...)
help. input. advice would be much appreciated.