Poor USMLE performance

[Elmo_bigbird]

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I was wondering if you can get into a residency program after poor performance at USMLE. I am an IMG passed step I on second attempt and step II on 4 th. Do I have a chance to find a position?😕 😕

 

[Elmo_bigbird]

I will appreciate your comments, any comments.

 

[ny skindoc]

If you are a US citizen IMG and are presentable at an interview and are willing to take anything regardless of geography then you should get a spot.There are a good number of Family Practice,Internal Med etc which cannot fill even after the scramble and need residents to work.If you are not a US citizen then its more uncertain.

 

[Elmo_bigbird]

Thanks ny syncdoc
I have worked as research associate in both clinical and basic science and have co-authored (second author on most and first author on one) on publications. I have been having difficulty in finding program that will over look my shortcomings. How do I solve this problem?

 

[ny skindoc]

Go to scutwork.com look up family practice,internal med, rehab,and psych residencies that have not filled in the match over the past few years.Write them a letter explaining your situation..the good and the bad.If you get an interview and they seem unsure of you ask them what you can do to prove your competence to them and see what they say.Another not very competitive specialty to enter is pathology... but that is academically demanding and probably not for you.

 

[Fanconi]

Another not very competitive specialty to enter is pathology... but that is academically demanding and probably not for you.

Wow! That's most presumptuous and rudest thing I've heard all day. WTF??? Why would you ever say something like that? Sheesh!

Don't despair, Elmo. I'm sure there's a spot for you somewhere. Did you try to go through the match this year, only to come up empty-handed? Maybe you could try writing to program directors at still unfilled IM, FP, and psych programs? If that doesn't work, maybe stay busy with research this year and apply broadly through the NRMP to a bunch of these programs next year. Do as many interviews as you can emotionally handle/afford, and I'd be willing to bet that you'll match somewhere next time around.


Just don't bother applying to dermatology, right, NY skindoc? 😛

 

[Lara]

Elmo, there's a nice poster named Annette on the EM board who's an IMG and obtained an IM spot through the scramble this year (she hopes to eventually transfer to EM). Chances are she's done her research with regards to "IMG friendly" programs and might help if you PM her politely. 🙂 Also, there's a website called "ValueMD" which may also be helpful. Good luck!

Lara, who's just proven she spends way too much time online for an MS1 😛

 

[pathstudent]

Before we can comment, you gotta tell us how bad you did. Bad could be relative. Someone might think 230 is bad while another 213 and another 190. Just how bad are you?

 

[ny skindoc]

My comment about pathology was not meant as an insult to Elmo,I apologize if he took it as such. I was giving my opinion as to this field.Pathologists that I know are among the most well informed physicians I'v met.If someone has a big problem mastering the material in the first 2 years of med school(including histo,path ) then Pathology residency is going to be a challenge.By all means if Pathology interests you then go for it as the slots are quite available,but yes dont bother with Derm!!

 

[Elmo_bigbird]

No insult taken. I honestly want to find out my chances. I appreciate your help.