I have failed CS - PLEASE HELP!!!!

[docdochope]

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Hello, Im in my 4th year of medschool (carribean school) and have been interviewing heavily in internal medicine...I passed Step 1 and Step 2CK ...been offered prematches by the few programs, but turned them down...few days ago I got a failed CS exam (I have studied for it for 2-3 days and now paying for it since I was in the middle of surgery rotation!)...Im lost now on what to do since even if I take the CS in early January my scores will NOT be in for the Match nor scramble...

1) Should I contact those programs who offered me prematches saying that I would like reconsider and try to re-assure them that I will definitely pass...

2) Should I continue with my interviews like nothing happened...and if programs offer prematch explain the situation....

3) Should I contact the programs which I had a very good interviews at with the request for a prematch and an explanation to my CS failure and re-assurance

4) Or should I just cancel all the interviews and just wait for next year....


SO SO lost please help🙁

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Much depends on whether you automatically released your score or not.

If you did, everyone already knows you failed. You can still sign a pre-match, and then that allows you to take CS anytime before graduation (assuming CS is a requirement for your school, which perhaps it is not) and be fine. Depending on the rest of your application, programs may be fine with this plan.

If you did not release CS, then no one knows. In that case, your best bet is to sign a pre match. If they don't ask about CS, you are under no obligation to tell them. Then you take CS again, pass it, and start your residency. Will your future PD be angry / disappointed? perhaps, but as long as there isn't anything in your contract saying you passed CS and as long as they didn't ask, you haven;t done anything wrong. If you can start on time and do a good job, they will be happy.

You will be withdrawn from the match if you do not have a reported passing CS score when ROL's are due.

Good luck!

 

[docdochope]

I didnt choose an automatic transmission so no-one knows...but I hate lying or withholding an info🙁 I think that is so so bad🙁

Also, I have an excellent background with a research and masters from Yale...I guess I will still attend the interviews and only those that offer pre-match...the rest is in Gods hands....Please pray for me🙁

 

[docdochope]

I would truly appreciate opnions of others.... thanks

 

[tkim]

I would truly appreciate opnions of others.... thanks

that's probably the best advice you're going to get. aprogdirector, is really a program director, as in IM residency PD.

 

[buckley]

guard the cs dates---many vacancies pop up when they are very near so you can take it as early as possible (but make sure this time that you are well prepared...CS is about *acting*, remember that)

i agree with APD's advice. if you were offered the prematch, however, why are you still attending interviews? with your precarious situation, i would seriously consider the prematch offers. good luck.

 

[voltron77]

You said that you turned down the pre-match offers so why would you now reconsider after failing Step 2CS? I think that you should try to limit interviewing and focus on passing Step 2CS. First Aid was a good source that I read a few days before. Also, I would try asking someone at your school to go over what you think you did not do as well with to improve.

 

[docdochope]

Thank you for everyones input..

I failed history taking & PE part...passed communication skills and the language....I know what I did wrong..my exam was weak and also, I was running out of time on the note and couldnt come up with the wording while at it - e.g. forgot waht to write for muscular skeletal exam, neuro exam, eye exam..i just had it blank -obviously didnt practice enough🙁

All what you're saying guys make a perfect sence - Im re-considering the places I didnt want to prematch originally just because I failed CS...and I dont want to waste a year...but honestly...I so dont want to be at those places🙁


There are couple of interviews I have left at the programs that do offer prematches and those programs are excellent! I will be going to those...I just dont see how I can withhold the fact that I failed CS...

 

[Smurfette]

Much depends on whether you automatically released your score or not.

If you did, everyone already knows you failed. You can still sign a pre-match, and then that allows you to take CS anytime before graduation (assuming CS is a requirement for your school, which perhaps it is not) and be fine. Depending on the rest of your application, programs may be fine with this plan.

If you did not release CS, then no one knows. In that case, your best bet is to sign a pre match. If they don't ask about CS, you are under no obligation to tell them. Then you take CS again, pass it, and start your residency. Will your future PD be angry / disappointed? perhaps, but as long as there isn't anything in your contract saying you passed CS and as long as they didn't ask, you haven;t done anything wrong. If you can start on time and do a good job, they will be happy.

You will be withdrawn from the match if you do not have a reported passing CS score when ROL's are due.

Good luck!

Unless this has changed in the last 3 years, this is not true.

You do NOT need to pass CS (or CK, for that matter) before you submit your ROL. I didn't take either CK or CS before submitting my ROL, and I matched, etc. without problem. My med school required us to take both parts of Step 2 prior to graduation only; most programs I interviewed at had no problems with me because I was compliant with my school's rules (which my school would willingly tell them if they wanted to call to confirm this fact).

When I was interviewing, no one gave a crap about CS since it is sort of unproven territory with only a "pass/fail" ranking (my year was the first year of CS). People might care a little bit more now, but I think it is highly program and/or specialty specific as to how much they do or don't care.

Just take CS again, pass it, and you shouldn't have to worry about it again.

 

[Shinken]

Unless this has changed in the last 3 years, this is not true.

You do NOT need to pass CS (or CK, for that matter) before you submit your ROL. I didn't take either CK or CS before submitting my ROL, and I matched, etc. without problem.

Perhaps you're a US med student? According to the NRMP, foreign medical grads (like the OP) must pass all requirements for ECFMG certification before submitting ROLs. Requirements for ECFMG certification include Step 1, Step 2 CS, and Step 2 CK.

http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/special_part/ind_app/verif_new.html

 

[tkim]

Perhaps you're a US med student? According to the NRMP, foreign medical grads (like the OP) must pass all requirements for ECFMG certification before submitting ROLs. Requirements for ECFMG certification include Step 1, Step 2 CS, and Step 2 CK.

http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/special_part/ind_app/verif_new.html

Yeah, it makes perfect sense, since the OP mentioned prematch offers, which would make the OP a USMD grad, DO, or IMG. But if DO, would have failed the PE, not the CS.

 

[docdochope]

Thats correct...I have mentioned that Im FMG..from carribean school...thank you fo this discussion..any other advices would be greatly appreciated as well...thanks

 

[Miyagi]

I am sorry to say but my roommate had the same thing happen to him 3 years ago, he was also from a Caribbean school.
The school REQUIRED that you pass everything in order to get your ECFMG certificate.
Because he didn't meet the qualifications of not being able to obtain the ECFMG certificate (only failed the CS), he was automatically withdrawn from the match and during the scramble places only wanted to talk to you if you were ECFMG certified.
My advise take the CS ASAP..tomorrow if you can, fly any where anytime..u will get screwed out of a year if you don't have you ECFMG certificate before the match,scramble and the worst is JULY 1st. You are not legally able to start !!!

 

[docdochope]

Miyagi,

Im afraid I cannot do that...due to few reasons,

First: I just got my scores and I need some time to study...
Second: My application to re-take CS needs to be processed by my school first...in other words...it will take few business dates to process my application to re-take CS,,,its not as easy as it seems...I cant just go and schedule a date...

I honestly think I will be awaiting for a year...or sign a prematch (by withholding the info about failed CS - which I HATE to do)....Alltogether, Im screwed big time🙁