please advise - Failed Step 3 right before applications are due

[MDhi5]

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I'm new to StudentDoc and I initially posted this question in a wrong thread. Sorry about the repeat if you've seen the question before.

I'm a US citizen foreign medical graduate. I'm interested in doing FM and I passed all my exams Step 1, 2CK and CS in the first attempt (not the highest of scores). I didn't match last year into FM and thought I'd try to take Step 3. However, I failed. That was definitely tough. And now, the exam is changing in November. The test will not be administered in October. Apps are due Sept 15th. My USMLE transcript is updated.

Is there any advice for me?

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Well, Step 3 is designed to test knowledge gained in internship, and since you haven't done one, you can argue that it's not the worst thing in the world to have failed it.

But yeah... it will hurt an application that sounds already a bit marginal. How long ago did you graduate? What have you been doing since then? Any other activities to buff up your application?

 

[MDhi5]

Thank you so much for the reply. It means a lot.

i graduated in november 2013

i volunteered at a FM clinic for a few months
i'm doing community outreach health education through an organization that has established itself nationally
i'm tutoring someone in english
i attended a national FM conference this year

these are all the things i've done so far since i didn't match this year. i also studied for the step 3 which sadly didn't work out :/

 

[MDtoUSMLE]

Try to get US LORs and mention your USCE in your PS and ERAS app. Step 3 is not one of the filters PDs use to pick you up for interview. They will come to it later on when they review your application but it's not an issue unless you persistently failed it. People with attempts on step 1 and 2 are even matching. Apply widely.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

You need to start working/volunteering at a place which has a residency program; hopefully your current volunteer experience is significant enough to give you continuing exposure to clinical medicine. Did you do rotations in the US as a student? Are your letters from here?

 

[MDhi5]

Thank you so much MDtoUSMLE and BlondeDocteur.

MDtoUSMLE, I definitely did mention my USCE in reference to FM. Should I mention anything about my Step 3 situation? Or should I hold off on that?

BlondeDocteur. Do you know how I can go about volunteering in places with a residency program? What type of volunteer work would this be...do I request a special position where I see patients and assist doctors or is it just the general adult hospital volunteer position? If I were to say seek a paid position, what exactly should I apply for (i.e. MA)? I think this has been one of the hardest parts for me to figure out. I'm not sure what opportunities are out there and unfortunately, I have no mentors to ask either.

Yes, I did do all my clinical rotations in the US. My LORs are all from practicing US physicians. However, none of these physicians are connected to nor are they a part of FM residency programs. I'm trying my level best to prove how much I really want FM through my PS and LORs, but I feel like the disadvantage is network. I applied for a few research assistant positions in programs with an FM residency and even put in my cover letters that I'm willing to relocate. But I haven't had any luck with that so far.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

You don't have malpractice insurance so you can't see patients in any capacity, not even that of a medical student. But you can shadow, observe, help with clinical research, or do anything else you think of that doesn't involve the actual delivery of medical care. Even CNAs and MAs have to complete official training programs to be hired (though they're only a couple of months long for CNAs).

I am curious from whom you obtained your letters, if they were from US MDs but not in FM? Is there any way to go back to your FM clerkship preceptors and get letters from them? I'm guessing you're a Caribbean grad- did none of the hospitals at which you rotated have any residencies?

I think you're going to have to start cold-calling programs, looking for someone conducting clinical research and/or shadowing opportunities. Br prepared for a lot of rejection. Show your ERAS app around to people you trust and ask for advice on buffing it up.

 

[MDhi5]

This year, I went ahead and lined up 3 LORs from FM and 2 from non-FM doctors. And yes, I am a Caribbean grad. Unfortunately, none of the programs I did my rotations at had residencies. I'm guessing that I probably don't have an upper hand in University-based programs. I'm applying broadly for several FM programs.

I will definitely be a bit more proactive and call programs.

Thank you again and I really do appreciate your time.

 

[MDtoUSMLE]

Just play innocent about step 3 and go with the flow. Try to find any excuse fir the failure incase you were asked during the interviews like flying for USCE, family circumstances......

 

[MDhi5]

So I submitted a re-score for the exam since I barely failed. Do you think I should still apply on September 15th? Or should I wait till mid-October to apply? My re-score results should come out by mid October. You mentioned PD's don't use Step 3 as a filter. Do you recommend I apply on the 15th or wait till the re-score comes out?

 

[MDtoUSMLE]

Apply on 15th whatever your application situation. This is a gold standard advice. Applications are downloaded on first come first served basis and people applying late get less if no interviews.

 

[MDhi5]

Thank you so much for your reply and all your advice!

 

[ROBINHO]

So I submitted a re-score for the exam since I barely failed. Do you think I should still apply on September 15th? Or should I wait till mid-October to apply? My re-score results should come out by mid October. You mentioned PD's don't use Step 3 as a filter. Do you recommend I apply on the 15th or wait till the re-score comes out?

U know it is hard for the scores to be changed right?
While you try this avenue....is there a way you can do the test within next 2 months. Rushing to take it might not be a good idea too

 

[link2swim06]

U know it is hard for the scores to be changed right?
While you try this avenue....is there a way you can do the test within next 2 months. Rushing to take it might not be a good idea too

No...they are changing the format of the test and the soonest you can schedule it is November. The registration for the old version closed in July (even though it is being offered through September). And if you take it in November you get your score in ~April of 2015.

 

[ROBINHO]

No...they are changing the format of the test and the soonest you can schedule it is November. The registration for the old version closed in July (even though it is being offered through September). And if you take it in November you get your score in ~April of 2015.

Sorry about predicament
U she still apply on day one
Hopefully some PDs are forgiving

 

[MDhi5]

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate the time.