HELP! LATE 2008 Match Application

[Amilas]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a 4th yr med student at a Caribbean med school. I have all USA clinicals; US MD letters of rec; Step 1 = 226 (92); Step 2 CS Pass. I was about a B-average student, in the upper third of my class ranking.

HOWEVER I'm taking CK in Mid-Nov -- and thus my Step 2 CK results won't come out until mid-Dec!!!

I haven't applied yet as I was under the impression that most programs wouldn't invite me for an interview without the Step 2 score, but now I'm rethinking that thought and am going to apply... but my documents won't be uploaded to ERAS until early NOVEMBER.

Please, anyone, give me some advice!

-- Will I get invited for an interview if I am an FMG without Step 2??
-- Do most places fill their interview slots by December?
-- Do programs even look at applications completed (Step 2CK scores arriving) just a few days before their application deadlines??
-- Are there any programs you would suggest?

Thank you SO MUCH!!!

 

[voltron77]

I'm a 4th yr med student at a Caribbean med school. I have all USA clinicals; US MD letters of rec; Step 1 = 226 (92); Step 2 CS Pass. I was about a B-average student, in the upper third of my class ranking.

HOWEVER I'm taking CK in Mid-Nov -- and thus my Step 2 CK results won't come out until mid-Dec!!!

I haven't applied yet as I was under the impression that most programs wouldn't invite me for an interview without the Step 2 score, but now I'm rethinking that thought and am going to apply... but my documents won't be uploaded to ERAS until early NOVEMBER.

Please, anyone, give me some advice!

-- Will I get invited for an interview if I am an FMG without Step 2??
-- Do most places fill their interview slots by December?
-- Do programs even look at applications completed (Step 2CK scores arriving) just a few days before their application deadlines??
-- Are there any programs you would suggest?

Thank you SO MUCH!!!

All of my interview invites came without my Step 2CK scores being available. US allopathic medical student at UCLA......

 

[Faebinder]

Hate to tell you this... it's too late for you this year. But you can try scrambling (and with that score you probably will be successful.) That is assuming you dont have a visa issue.

 

[Amilas]

I'm a US citizen so I don't have visa issues... But I don't understand, why do programs have application due dates which are in DEC 31st, or even in JAN, (and I have even seen Feb!) --- but they wouldn't accept an application completed (with Step 2CK) in mid-Dec? I'm not actively seeking a big university program, just anything! 🙁

Does anyone else have any other news for me? 🙁

 

[voltron77]

I'm a US citizen so I don't have visa issues... But I don't understand, why do programs have application due dates which are in DEC 31st, or even in JAN, (and I have even seen Feb!) --- but they wouldn't accept an application completed (with Step 2CK) in mid-Dec? I'm not actively seeking a big university program, just anything! 🙁

Does anyone else have any other news for me? 🙁

I would have to disagree with Faebinder on this issue. Many programs offer interviews without Step 2CK scores............Interview dates may be limited by the time a program offers you an interview date but that does not mean that they are done handing out interview invites.......go and apply and best of luck......

 

[Frijolero]

Yeah, I think you shouldn't be freaking out just yet. I have yet to hear back from quite a few programs and many interview slots are still open. Get your stuff in as quickly as you can and don't tweak. Make some friends in the registrar's office and get your stuff in tomorrow, why do you need to wait until November? Whoever gave you the impressions about needing a step 2 store did you a major disservice. The majority of people with good step 1 scores, especially for the more competitive specialties, intentionally wait to take step 2. Crazy man, crazy...

 

[Saluda]

I have a friend who got her score in late Jan and she was fine. She is a US grad, but I think you should be fine too. You are an American and you have a respectable Step 1. You will probably get invites and while you are there (or just before they make the invite official) they will want to know:

1. you are scheduled to take the Exam
2. they will get the scores before the program's ranking meeting- usually end of Jan/ first of Feb

Get as much of your app in ASAP. Within a week or two you should get invites, and if not start calling to express interest. If they call you first, ask each program about the test date.

 

[shirya]

The problem is that you as a foreign grad have to have ECFMG certificate in order to apply for residency, and is not able to get it without all tests done. Program coordinators will do an initial screening of applications based on US grad vs foreign grad and then foreign with Certificate vs without. In our program for 6 positions we received about 10-15 applications from US grad and of course all of them will be considered even if some of them have any deficiency (lack of some scores, etc.). Also we received about 1200 applications from foreigns. Usually we invite about 10-15 out of them for an interview. Do you think our coordinator will read all details in your application once she noticed you're not certified yet? your application will be thrown away and would never be re-considered. Sorry but this is a reality. However I believe you will have a lot of opportunities to get into residency during this season. Good luck!