I am a IMG and a us citizen I'm done with step 1 and got a score of 252 and preparing for 2nd step I have red flags in my 2nd year of med school had to repeat it.Is it going to be a problem if I want to compete for good program in IM or gendral surgery. What are my chances in other specialtys. Please give some advise
Positives
-US citizenship.
-252 on Step 1.
Negatives
-Failed an entire year.
-Failed 2nd year (usually if you have to fail, then the first year is the "best" year to fail).
-Your command of the English language doesn't appear to be very strong, which would be very important in interacting with patients, colleagues, other staff, etc.
-I'm betting your familiarity with American cultural and social customs and etiquette isn't all that great either.
Unsure
-Where did you go to med school? If it's a med school in a nation like the US, then subjectively speaking you may have a better chance than if you went to a med school US programs are more uncertain about. Basically, it tends to "look" better to most US programs if you graduated from a med school in the UK or similar than if you graduated from a med school in a developing nation.
-What's your cultural background? The more similar it is to the US, the more likely the better off you will be. For example, if you're from a French cultural background, then it might play better to US programs than if you're from a vastly different culture. Although that said, most Americans are very open and understanding, and a lot of it is about how you "sell" yourself too. How do you come off? That sort of thing.
What all this may imply is, even if you do make the cut thanks to your Step 1 score and US citizenship status, once you get interviews, it's possible you may not interview well, and thus you might be ranked low or not ranked at all.
I doubt you can get into general surgery given your background. I would forget general surgery unless you have a burning passion for it. But since you are also considering IM, I'm guessing you're not passionate about GS. (By the way, interesting someone would like both IM and GS! That's usually one of the first divides med students split on when trying to figure out which specialty they want to go into. Have you actually done your rotations in IM and GS yet?)
Anyway, assuming you definitely know you want either IM or GS, if I were you, I'd focus on IM. You should apply EXTREMELY broadly including community programs. If I were you, I wouldn't bother to apply to the top IM programs (e.g. MGH, Hopkins). In fact, mid-tier IM programs might be a reach for you as well.
However, it doesn't cost you anything except time and money to apply, I suppose. So if you really want, and you are able to do so, then go ahead and apply to every single program in both IM and GS including the top ones. I'd say you're likely just burning cash, but that's up to you.
Again, I'd focus all my efforts on getting into ANY IM program, not just a good one. Again, focus on community programs or IM programs in undesirable areas.
Good luck.
