Should I continue with medicine?

[sp226]

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I am in pretty bad shape. I failed Step 1 during my first attempt and studied very hard to take it again. Although the last 4 NBME's I took, I consistently scored about a 215, I scored 193 on my second attempt. I am about to start my clinical rotations in America but am wondering is it worth taking out $80,000+ loans and continuing my education or should I pursue something else.

I would love to keep continuing my education but I need some guidance on whether it's realistic or not.

In short, with all that has happened, what are the chances of me getting ANY residency or what are future career options would I have with a medical degree.

Also, I am an FMG and I am an American citizen. If I continue schooling, all of my rotations will be done in America.

 

[officedepot]

The choice to quit is up to you. But you are already at a severe disadvantage being IMG. Failing step 1 the first time and then getting a very medicore score the second time around sure as heck doesn't help your situation.

looking at charting outcomes 2011 for IMG paints a bleak picture. Family medicine is probably your best bet since there are so many spots available. However the stats overall don't look great in your favor (but note that over 300 people's step 1 score were unknown so the avg step 1 for IMG is difficult to say - I bet there are foreign docs just wanting to move to the US so not in the same boat as you).

If you really want to be a doctor and it is your life's goal you'll just have to tough it out and apply to 100 FM programs (well maybe not that high but you get the point), go on tons and tons of interviews and rank all you can. This also costs lots of money (probably $2k just to apply that way and then you have travel expense).

But I would also investigate other opportunities to use your MD degree before you give up. You may be able to land a prelim spot and be eligible to take step 3. From there you can perhaps go work for drug companies, or whatever. There's got to be some intrinsic value to a MD degree even if you can't match into a residency somewhere.


and then again if you can stomach doing somthing else that might be wise as well. FM doesn't make tons of money and you could manage a walmart for example and do 10x better, and the lifestyle would be more enjoyable. Sure you may have to get a quick business degree and work your way up but you're probably a lot smarter than most people working jobs like that so you're at an advantage.

 

[DrDrToBe]

The choice to quit is up to you. But you are already at a severe disadvantage being IMG. Failing step 1 the first time and then getting a very medicore score the second time around sure as heck doesn't help your situation.

looking at charting outcomes 2011 for IMG paints a bleak picture. Family medicine is probably your best bet since there are so many spots available. However the stats overall don't look great in your favor (but note that over 300 people's step 1 score were unknown so the avg step 1 for IMG is difficult to say - I bet there are foreign docs just wanting to move to the US so not in the same boat as you).

If you really want to be a doctor and it is your life's goal you'll just have to tough it out and apply to 100 FM programs (well maybe not that high but you get the point), go on tons and tons of interviews and rank all you can. This also costs lots of money (probably $2k just to apply that way and then you have travel expense).

But I would also investigate other opportunities to use your MD degree before you give up. You may be able to land a prelim spot and be eligible to take step 3. From there you can perhaps go work for drug companies, or whatever. There's got to be some intrinsic value to a MD degree even if you can't match into a residency somewhere.


and then again if you can stomach doing somthing else that might be wise as well. FM doesn't make tons of money and you could manage a walmart for example and do 10x better, and the lifestyle would be more enjoyable. Sure you may have to get a quick business degree and work your way up but you're probably a lot smarter than most people working jobs like that so you're at an advantage.

👍 this. Such compassionate yet honest response...refreshing to see on sdn.