Is there any residency position for USMLE scores 76(I) and 80(II)??

[Lucia]

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I am from Brazil and I graduated from Medical School in 1995. I passed USMLE I and II and CSA, but my scores were just 76 in step I and 80 in step II.I applied for 140 programs but I didn't get any residency position. I had just 1 month of clinical experience in USA. I did some research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and had an abstract accepted for the ACC 2002 Scientific Session.I am very frustrated because I spent a lot of money and didn't get anywhere with this. Currently I live in PA, USA, and I am permanent resident. I am even thinking to do Medical School in USA in order to be accepted in a residency program and be able to continue my career. Does anybody have sugestions, questions or comments??

 

[andy toth]

you don't have to go to medical school /again/.

to what speciality did you apply?

retake your step I and II to get higher score.

did you do a brazilian residency?

also, the "years out of med school" index (ie, 1995) is going to make you less competative. in order to compensate, you will need to have good boards.

 

[wsu]

Lucia,

YOu can't retake Step I/II for a higher score if you passsed. The only means of reatking Step I/II are for those individuals that have failed.

There are programs like the fifth pathway for foreign MDs. one is in albany and the other is nycom. HOwver, i do not know too much about it.

What positions have you applied for? There are a number of unfilled spots in the primary care areas like peds, family pratice, internal medicine. However, again that depends on your interests.

good luck.

 

[wsu]

Also,

don't be concerned about being out for so long. I have a friend who matched into syracuse university that was in your situation as well. her scores were 80 and 85 though. but she took the exam about the same time as you and matched just this year (pre-match) outside the match.

 

[Lucia]

I didn't do residency in Brazil because I moved to USA a couple of months after my graduation. I did my step I in october 1998, and the step II in december 1999. The CSA I did in January 2000. I didn't tried the matching in 2001 because I had a baby and I was too busy. I registered to the 2002 Match and I didn't get any spot.I mostly applied for Internal Medicine, anesthesia and family PracticeAs far as I know we are not allowed to take the USMLE for 7 years.Please correct me if I am wrong.
Andy,My advice for you is to study hard and very focused. I felt that they ask a lot about pharmacology , pathology , biochemistry and neurology ALWAYS related to the clinic, diagnoses and treatment.

 

[dksamp]

Hello,
While you are waiting to get into a spot, you can help yourself by studying for USMLE Step 3. Passing that can give you a slightly extra edge. There are about 7 states that allow one to take step 3 without residency. Hoe this helps. basically, you have to keep on searching and NOT give up. Like the bible says "seek and you shall find"

-Derek

 

[NuMD97]

Try calling the FP hotline for open positions. They update their lists every two weeks with positions that have become unexpectedly available. It's an 800 number. Call either the 800 directory for the number or check the FP website. Hope this helps.

Also consider doing an externship at a VA hospital to get letters of recommendations from physicians who can speak about your clinical skills. Oftentimes the programs want to see from practicing physicians that you are capable of working in an American health care facility.

One other thing: remember to keep checking back regularly with those hospitals that appear completely matched. Frequently enough there are folks who promise to take the position that, for one reason or another, don't. Check back especially in late May and early June. There's a second wave to the scramble about then. Good luck to you.

 

[acurarte]

There are all kinds of FP programs with empty seats that are practically begging for residents.. I am surprised you could not find a spot....

 

[halothane]

One of my friends an FMG got 76, 78 or something. He is doing FP at the Brooklyn Hospital Center. FP should be easy with those scores.

 

[Rach1]

Hi All. My scores are 77 and 80. Looking for any spot in any residency program FP/Psych. Graduated 6 yrs ago. Can someone provide me with leads. Thanks 😕

 

[acurarte]

I would suggest checking out the unfilled program list on:

<a href="http://www.scutwork.com" target="_blank">www.scutwork.com</a>

then go to:

<a href="http://www.ama-assn.org:/vapp/freida/srch/1,2667,Y,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.ama-assn.org:/vapp/freida/srch/1,2667,Y,00.html</a>

Just call the programs you might be interested in and ask them if they are full. If not, find out their requirements for applying and apply.

DGod luck!

 

[HenryMD]

Lucia,

I can understand your frustration. I am an ECFMG cert. US citizen and have been calling every day since March 18th for vacancies in IM, Prelim Surg, Family Prac, and Transitional and still nothing. I've called EVERY IM and Transitional program 3X listed in the GME Directory. FP is taking longer and they still want scores of 80 & up sometimes 83 & up. My scores are 76 & 84 and I have more than 1 year of US and Canadian Clinical experience. I have classmates w/ no experience and lower scores get into strong programs. I just don't see the openings out there. Most of the websites w/ openings are inaccurate b/c I'll call w/in an hourof posting and they'll talk to me like I'm crazy- "Where did you get this information???" Apparently this was the best year for match results.
Really losing hope.

 

[shurale]

Don't give up. Here's my story: graduated overseas in 1989, went thru residency over there, worked after that another several years;immigrated to the states,passed usmle ,very very hard, several attempts,77/77, did research for 3.5 years. Result-matched from the first attempt, after deadline got 2 prematch offers maybe even better but it was too late to withdraw from the match. you have to show them your commitment and prepaere for an interview. Interview matters!

 

[HenryMD]

Could you tell me what and where you did research and how you found these positions in case I don't find a residency position.

 

[bold and beautiful]

Hi I graduated in 1994, took STEP 1 0CT 98 STEP2 OCT 1999 CSA 2000 JAN. Did not match for first time, did externship for about an year. got matched this year in IM. Score 76/77 both three attempts. Got low scors because I was out of touch for 4 years, had a baby, adjustment with the new country, husband---

Never compromised for my low scores because I knew scores are not all what matters. I know I am good at my clinical skills and communication skills. Worked hard in externship. Got very good letters from us physicians. And that was the thing the PD where I got matched was impressed with. Improved my written and spoken english.
Also wrote a case report and prepared extremely well for the interview.

So in a nut shell . Keep trying, You WILL get it. Don't get depressed and don't give up. Keep trying hard and at the same time enjoy with your little one and husband. The time will never come back again.

But nothing comes for free.

HARD WORK is the key.

 

[NuMD97]

Originally posted by Lucia:

•••quote:••• As far as I know we are not allowed to take the USMLE for 7 years.Please correct me if I am wrong. ••••Perhaps it's just a question of language, but the seven years that you cited refers to licensing requirements that are governed by the individual states. Most states currently require that from the time you pass your first USMLE test (be it Step 1 or Step 2) you have seven years to complete all three steps. A listing of which states mandate that can be found in the "Green Book", the directory of residency training.

And yes, you can find residency positions with those scores, and that long out of school. But you have to hit it very aggressively.

Hope this is of some help to you. Good luck.