Need some advice regarding effect of second attempt on residency chances

[billy7]

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I'm an IMG. During step 1, I panicked and felt that I'm not performing well enough. So I made sure that I screw up the last 3 blocks and fail so as to get another shot at it. I jus managed to fail it. Next time I got 99. I jus want to know how much would an extra attempt harm me for getting an IM residency? How do I explain my extra attempt in an interview (if I manage to get any)?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Frankly I'd fudge the truth.

That is, rather than telling people you purposely failed the exam, which while I can understand your reasoning, might make others look askance at that decision, is to say something along the lines of "I was feeling poorly that day and unable to finish the examination in the time alloted."

 

[billy7]

Frankly I'd fudge the truth.

That is, rather than telling people you purposely failed the exam, which while I can understand your reasoning, might make others look askance at that decision, is to say something along the lines of "I was feeling poorly that day and unable to finish the examination in the time alloted."

Hey thanks for the reply. Your answer seems much appropriate.
Can you also answer my other question regarding my chances for getting a interview and eventually a residency.
Also i read somewhere that applicants with failed/missed attempts should try to justify their reason in their Personal Statement. Do you think I should try this? It seems to be a double-edged sword!

 

[billy7]

You should never tell anyone that you did this.

I understand. Thanks for the advice

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hey thanks for the reply. Your answer seems much appropriate.
Can you also answer my other question regarding my chances for getting a interview and eventually a residency.

We don't really answer "WAMC" (what are my chances) questions because they are essentially unanswerable in most cases.

Some programs will not consider IMGs/FMGs, some will look at your two attempts at Step 1 and be turned off by it and there is nothing you can do about that. Having a 99 on your 2nd attempt obviously improves your chances over a lower score but I am unsure if it offsets it being a second attempt.

Also i read somewhere that applicants with failed/missed attempts should try to justify their reason in their Personal Statement. Do you think I should try this? It seems to be a double-edged sword!

It is a double edged sword and I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule. If you choose to discuss your multiple attempts in the PS, you should mention it briefly and move on. Do not dwell.

I'd probably err on the side of not mentioning it with the idea that programs that are unlikely to invite you with two attempts on Step 1 are not going to be reading your PS anyway, and those that would, will ask you when you interview.

 

[billy7]

It is a double edged sword and I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule. If you choose to discuss your multiple attempts in the PS, you should mention it briefly and move on. Do not dwell.

I'd probably err on the side of not mentioning it with the idea that programs that are unlikely to invite you with two attempts on Step 1 are not going to be reading your PS anyway, and those that would, will ask you when you interview.

Thanks a lot. Your reasoning is flawless 👍

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thanks a lot. Your reasoning is flawless 👍

heh...I'm sure there are some flaws in there somewhere.😉

 

[Oatcell]

you'll be able to match and even prematch to an IM program as an fmg. no worries! just focus on completing the usmle sequence now~good luck👍

 

[billy7]

you'll be able to match and even prematch to an IM program as an fmg. no worries! just focus on completing the usmle sequence now~good luck👍

Thank you very much for the confidence booster

 

[billy7]

heh...I'm sure there are some flaws in there somewhere.😉

i jus hope they are acceptable🙂..
Thanx a lot for your timely advice

 

[dragonfly99]

agree with above comments
I would NOT mention it in your personal statement
I would DEFINITELY not confess to purposely failing the 1st time you took the test. Some people might not understand your logic and would judge you for it. I'd say something like "I wasn't feeling well that day and I didn't feel well enough to finish so I just tried again a different day".

I think you have a decent shot at landing a residency. A lot of it is a numbers game (impossible to match even for a US medical grad in many specialties like ortho and dermatology, while spots go unfilled each year in things like family practice). I think internal med, psych, family practice, physiatry, and some others (? path) just have a lot more spots vs. the number of applicants than other specialties.