I need advice on my matching process

[kamran58]

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Hi everyone,
These days I'm in a confusing situation ,and i'm getting really crazy about it .
I'm going to apply for this year residency but my application is not complete.
I have taken step 1 passed with 92, my cs result is pending and I'm going to take ck in december .
I have green card and I'm a fresh foreign graduate.
No usce or research !
A mixture of positive and negative points. Some people recommend me to apply , some say don't !
Personally i want to get matched in a good program , university based mainly .
What should I do ? Should I rush to take the ck ? Or is it better to forget about this year's match ?
Another qustion is about preliminary surgery or IM . If i get 1 year surgery prelim or 1 year IM prelim , do they help me to find a PGY-1 position the year next in a university program ? Is it logical to do so ?
I know this is a personal decision but I would like to know what u , as more experienced people think about it
Thank

 

[Blade28]

This topic concerns the NRMP Match - moving to ERAS and the NRMP Match forum.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You ask a few questions.

First, there is no question that as an IMG, you will be seriously limited by a lack of a USMLE Step 2 CK score. Many, many programs will not consider IMG's until the Step scores are in, especially university programs. By taking Step 2 in December, you won't have scores until mid to late January, probably much too late for this year's match. So, an earlier Step 2 would greatly help you in the match for this year -- that assumes that by taking it early you still do well on it!

Without US Clinical experience or research, your chances of getting a Univeristy program are not good, regardless of what your CK score is.

Prelim medicine slots are very competitive to get, and similarly without a Step 2 CK score you are unlikely to get one.

Prelim Surgery spots are much easier to get, and there are often many left in the scramble. However, they are usually a pathway to nowhere, and it is often very difficult to apply in the match while enrolled in a residency program (getting time off for interviews, etc).

 

[kamran58]

thanks alot for your comments,as they are quite realistic and true in my case . unfortunately this year's match has gone for me ! 🙁

 

[buckley]

Without US Clinical experience or research, your chances of getting a Univeristy program are not good, regardless of what your CK score is.

Prelim medicine slots are very competitive to get...


Hi Sith Lord...care to elaborate please? ANy IMGS out there without USCE or research and presentl in a University program, please shout-hey we were able to do it! Getting very scared here...

 

[skypilot]

I would imagine that it would be worthwhile to do a preliminary spot if you have no U.S. clinical experience. After doing it you would have contacts in the U.S. who could help advance your career. In addition you would have the intern year out of the way. If you find a good city to spend your intern year you could spend the whole year making contacts at other programs in that city who might take you for PGY2.

 

[nervous student]

Well I have a similar situation and wanted some advice. I am a US citizen with all US clinical experience who graduated from a Caribbean school. I have a 83 in Step 1 and a 78 in Step 2 CK. Does anyone think I have a chance to match in Pathology this year?

 

[mlw03]

Well I have a similar situation and wanted some advice. I am a US citizen with all US clinical experience who graduated from a Caribbean school. I have a 83 in Step 1 and a 78 in Step 2 CK. Does anyone think I have a chance to match in Pathology this year?

i follow the path forums since i'm applying this year myself. the usual answer when someone posts like yours is, "yes, it's possible as long as you passed, but don't expect one of the top programs. if you're willing to go somewhere less geographically desireable you can probably match somewhere even with just-passing USMLE scores." apply very widely and interview (and then rank) everywhere that offers it to you and you have a shot i would think.

 

[nervous student]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I am applying all over the USA and I have no restrictions on where I go. I know it will be tough to get a top program but I just want to be a pathologist wherever I can. Good luck to you in the match!