Need advice

[coldplay]

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Hi.
I am an IMG, graduated in 2012. I have a 230+ in step 1 but my step 2 score is 218. Cs passed. all first attempt. 1 observership in peds, 1 US LOR. My CK score came in october last year.
Last year I got only 2 interviews. I am worried about re applying this year because i cannot change my step 2 score. (applied in peds only).
I am thinking about taking step 3. I know programs have cut offs and step 3 might not help (or will it?). I have 7 publications in peds.
My question is. did anyone with low step 2 score match last year? I dont want to spend $$$ re applying again if I don;t have much chances.

 

[Stitch]

218 isn't all that bad, so I suspect that's not what's holding you back. Any red flags to the application? I'd look at where you applied, and make sure you have a good list of IMG friendly programs that might be within reach. There are plenty of excellent community programs that have great teaching and faculty but are less competitive. You may not be able to be selective about location, but ultimately you'll get good training. I'm pretty sure you have to complete an internship before taking step 3. Can you talk with the person who wrote your U.S. LOR? They might be able to point you towards specific programs.

 

[mvenus929]

I'm pretty sure you have to complete an internship before taking step 3.

You don't. One of my cointerns is taking it at the end of July. You just have to register through a state that doesn't require an internship.

 

[coldplay]

218 isn't all that bad, so I suspect that's not what's holding you back. Any red flags to the application? I'd look at where you applied, and make sure you have a good list of IMG friendly programs that might be within reach. There are plenty of excellent community programs that have great teaching and faculty but are less competitive. You may not be able to be selective about location, but ultimately you'll get good training. I'm pretty sure you have to complete an internship before taking step 3. Can you talk with the person who wrote your U.S. LOR? They might be able to point you towards specific programs.

Thank you so much 🙂. I feel better after hearing that my score isn't so bad. There aren't any red flags in my application that I'm aware of. Perhaps 1 mo USCE is not enough for IMGs? And that too was an observership. Or maybe late CK score release was a prob? As most IMgs apply with complete application.

I have another observership scheduled in September at an IMG friendly hospital. I have decided not to take step 3. I will look for more observerships for Oct-Nov and the interview season as well. I am not geographically restricted so will apply broadly. A few people suggested that I apply to IM as well but I'm not doing that because my CV is entirely peds oriented and peds is what i really want to do 🙂.

What do you think about my plan 🙂?