Question about not making the deadlines for the match......

[Knicks]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Question about not making the deadlines for the match and the possibility/repercussions about having to "wait a year" to make the "next match".

I'm a US-IMG, and my school lets us take the Step 1 whenever we want. Unfortunately, there were some courses that weren't too great at my school and so I took/am taking a long time to imprint the material into my brain.

This, compounded with the fact that I was going through a personal issue throughout my studies, has kept me from being "ready" to take the Steps earlier.

Now, I want to take the Step 1 in early August. If I hopefully pass, do I have enough time to take the Step2 CK and CS exams and make the 2010 match? (I assuming I pass the exams, of course).

If I won't have enough time to fit in both parts of the Step 2, should I then just push my Step 1 back and have more time to study for it?


My next question: let's say I don't make it in time for the 2010 match, what are the (positive and/or negative) ramifications of "waiting a year" for the 2011 match?


I really want to match for 2010 and not "lose/waste time".


Any help, particularly from people who already matched, would be wonderful.

Thanks to everyone here in advance.

 

[4xpanda]

If you dont pass step 1 as an IMG .. that will be bad ... really bad. And that's what you should focus on.

pick a place that you want to match into, and fly out there for a month rotation, and do really well

you can take step 2 as late as march of your last year... as long as you pass, you'll be already matched anyway

 

[Winged Scapula]

If you dont pass step 1 as an IMG .. that will be bad ... really bad. And that's what you should focus on.

pick a place that you want to match into, and fly out there for a month rotation, and do really well

you can take step 2 as late as march of your last year... as long as you pass, you'll be already matched anyway

This is incorrect.

As an IMG you HAVE to have all the exams for ECFMG certification completed by the time you submit your Rank Order List of programs (usually mid February). If you fail to do so, you will be removed from the match.

In addition, many programs are not accepting applications from those without ECFMG certification. Please make sure you check this out before applying to programs without the certificate.

Agree otherwise with the above that your USMLE score is more important than waiting a year, if you have to. Without a good or at least average score your chances of matching are significantly reduced. Do everything you can to get a good score.

 

[Knicks]

LoL, thanks for the input guys but I feel like my questions weren't really addressed:

........

Now, I want to take the Step 1 in early August. If I hopefully pass, do I have enough time to take the Step2 CK and CS exams and make the 2010 match? (I assuming I pass the exams, of course).

If I won't have enough time to fit in both parts of the Step 2, should I then just push my Step 1 back and have more time to study for it?


My next question: let's say I don't make it in time for the 2010 match, what are the (positive and/or negative) ramifications of "waiting a year" for the 2011 match?

............

Also, just thought I'd mention that I'm already done with all my rotations (my school didn't require for us to take step 1 before starting rotations). I did them all where my school is located.

 

[Winged Scapula]

LoL, thanks for the input guys but I feel like my questions weren't really addressed:

That's because I didn't have enough time this morning to do so. I figured I could at least clarify some incorrect information.

Now, I want to take the Step 1 in early August. If I hopefully pass, do I have enough time to take the Step2 CK and CS exams and make the 2010 match? (I assuming I pass the exams, of course).

Yes and no.

There is TIME because you have until February to have all your exams completed and passed.

Whether you can complete them in a timely enough fashion to get programs to interview you is an entirely another matter.

Facts:

1) many programs require Step 2 before they will interview you; if you can complete and pass Step 2 before those program deadlines (depends on specialty but usually Nov-Dec), then you may have "enough time"

2) some programs requires ECFMG certification before they will interview you; if you can complete and pass Step 2 AND get your certificate before program deadlines, they may interview and you may have "enough time"

Every program has an individual deadline by which your application must be complete. Every programs has its own requirements, thus we cannot tell you if you have all the exams completed and passed by December whether that is "enough time". It may be for programs with January deadlines, it may not be if those programs require the certificate. For programs with deadlines in November, it will NOT be "enough time".

FWIW, if you are planning on applying for the 2010 intern class, IMHO you should have all your exams completed and passed (ie, scores available) by November 1 at the latest. For programs which require ECFMG certification, you will have to complete the program requirements by that date if you want to be considered for interview. Please note that I am using November 1 as a desired date...obviously there are programs that don't set app deadlines until January and you would still have a chance there with a later date.

If I won't have enough time to fit in both parts of the Step 2, should I then just push my Step 1 back and have more time to study for it?

It all depends on the above. If there are enough programs that will interview you without Step 2 and/or ECFMG certification, then you should go for it. But if you cannot meet these requirements and/or deadlines, there is no valor in pushing ahead unless you are considering doing the scramble.

My next question: let's say I don't make it in time for the 2010 match, what are the (positive and/or negative) ramifications of "waiting a year" for the 2011 match?

Negative:
- what are you going to do for that year
- how are you going to survive that year (financially)
- lower match rate for graduated physicians
- less help from medical school faculty during match and/or scramble
- less administrative help from school during match
- assumption you sat out because you could't match

Positive:
- perhaps better USMLE scores (if you need the time)
- chance to do something you've always wanted

 

[Knicks]

^^ Thanks for the thorough response, as usual.

 

[jigga]

Excellent post from WS. I will like to add the WS is right that now alot of programs require ECFMG certification for interviews as far as IMG's are concerned. I am from Pakistan and here this is the general consensus now. Though there are exceptions but in those, there is more to it than meets the eye for eg contacts, good US clinical rotations and the competitiveness of the speciality applied to.

If you apply next year, then PD's will hold you accountable for the time lag between your graduation and application. So you should take care about this. Ideal situation will be to spend your time in the US doing research and observerships. Post ECFMG certification you can even look for externships which will be gold. But as WS mentioned, this is going to cost financially and you should think about this. There will be quite a few months and if you do not have any relatives, then you can expect to spend $800-1000/month (can be higher and lower depending upon location. The cost does not include any fee, the instituion might charge you.).

It also depends how old a graduate you are? If you will be within 3 years till Sep 2010, you will do fine if your scores and application is good without any major red flags. Older than that it will be tough but not impossible. Greater than 5 years the chances become vanishingly small for an IMG and frankly speaking only 2-3 specialities are viable options... Provided scores are good.

And remember students in the US take on an average 3-4 months of study for both steps and that too during their medical college. So if there is a gap on your CV due to a long preparatory period, then for the PD's it wont be a justification.

 

[Knicks]

.........

If you apply next year, then PD's will hold you accountable for the time lag between your graduation and application.

How will they hold me accountable? What if I had some personal life issues that I had to deal with that made me "miss" the match deadline?

It also depends how old a graduate you are?

I graduated about 3 months ago.

And remember students in the US take on an average 3-4 months of study for both steps and that too during their medical college. So if there is a gap on your CV due to a long preparatory period, then for the PD's it wont be a justification.

Good point.

 

[jigga]

How will they hold me accountable? What if I had some personal life issues that I had to deal with that made me "miss" the match deadline?

From holding accountable i mean that if you or anyone for that matter is not able to justify the gap/period. If you have valid reasons, then it should be ok.

 

[jigga]

I graduated about 3 months ago.

You will not be old at all! I have seen very few IMG's who apply within 3 months since graduation. Primarily because the graduation dates do not match the application cycle. And secondly because we are not required to take the steps for graduation. So almost all of the students take it after graduating.

You will be absolutely fine if you have good scores and are doing something worthwile till sep 2010. And you will be atleast in a better position than me as far as the graduation dates are concerned. Though i will be within 3 years (2.5 to be exact). Ideally should have applied this year but could not due to pressing family problems. I know it might hurt but alot depends upon the scores (due for step 1 in Aug).

And to give you an idea about how i have had and will utilize my time till my application... I did my intern year. Did research (2 publications. 1 as first author and the other as 2nd author). Will start another international research project in Aug immediately after my paper. And go to US from Nov onwards for USCE and research till interview time. Also might do MPH from hopkins (depending upon the advice i get while i am in US) and apply as a hopkins grad. If God has a residency for me, i will get one, otherwise HE must have better plans for me.

 

[gutonc]

How will they hold me accountable? What if I had some personal life issues that I had to deal with that made me "miss" the match deadline?

You will need to be able to explain the delay in matching. I'm not sure "hold accountable" is the right way to put it, but you will be expected to account for all of the time between starting med school (undergrad) and your application. If there's a gap year while you're waiting to complete the Steps, you'll need to put that on your app.