Unable to scramble into anything

[anyresidency]

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I wasn't able to scramble into a position this year and I don't know what to do. I tried to scramble into a family medicine residency because I thought it would be the easiest to get. I also have to think about what I can do for a year until the next Match. I would like to find out what I can do with a MD besides clinical medicine. Please help.

Temple med school graduate
Step 1, 201 third attempt
Step 2cK 203 fourth attempt
Step 2cs pending

 

[DarthNeurology]

I wasn't able to scramble into a position this year and I don't know what to do. I tried to scramble into a family medicine residency because I thought it would be the easiest to get. I also have to think about what I can do for a year until the next Match. I would like to find out what I can do with a MD besides clinical medicine. Please help.

Temple med school graduate
Step 1, 201 third attempt
Step 2cK 203 fourth attempt
Step 2cs pending

You can do research, i.e. a post-doc I believe with an MD (it is similar to having a PhD), or you could maybe also get another degree and work at the interface between law and business or go straight into a pharmacy rep job or work in a pharmaceutical company. Some states have rules about not licensing people who failed the steps multiple times . . . I would research which states would allow you to get licensed after failing a step, this obviously might affect the training license for residency as well.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Here is the link to the state licensing requirements: http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html

As you'll see there are several states in which you would not be eligible given the number of attempts at Steps 1 and 2. This may be a reason for your difficulty this year (if you were not aware of these requirements), as programs will not offer you a position if you are unable to get a state license.

 

[Blade28]

As you'll see there are several states in which you would not be eligible given the number of attempts at Steps 1 and 2. This may be a reason for your difficulty this year (if you were not aware of these requirements), as programs will not offer you a position if you are unable to get a state license.

Wow, I had no idea there were these limits!

 

[anyresidency]

Here is the link to the state licensing requirements: http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html

As you'll see there are several states in which you would not be eligible given the number of attempts at Steps 1 and 2. This may be a reason for your difficulty this year (if you were not aware of these requirements), as programs will not offer you a position if you are unable to get a state license.

States where my degree doubles as toilet paper:
Alaska
DC
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Minnesota
New Hampshire
North Dakota
South Dakota
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Texas
Wisconsin

 

[Blade28]

Did you apply to any programs in the above states?

 

[anyresidency]

Did you apply to any programs in the above states?

yeah, a few in Minnesota, Texas, and Illinois but that that doesn't fully explain it.

I wonder how many applicants per position were were Scrambling.

 

[mgdsh]

Given the multiple attempts at both Step 1 and Step 2, I'm sure a lot of programs are afraid to essentially roll the dice on you, as they are concerned you may not pass Step 3 during residency. I think the most important thing for you to do in your year off is to get a passing score on Step III and do something constructive towards a residency application (research, volunteer, working in some capacity that applies clinical knowledge, etc).

 

[anyresidency]

Given the multiple attempts at both Step 1 and Step 2, I'm sure a lot of programs are afraid to essentially roll the dice on you, as they are concerned you may not pass Step 3 during residency. I think the most important thing for you to do in your year off is to get a passing score on Step III and do something constructive towards a residency application (research, volunteer, working in some capacity that applies clinical knowledge, etc).

That's good advice. I would love to take Step 3 but you have to be enrolled in a residency to be eligible to take it.

 

[docrv]

Not in Connecticut and some other states. Check their requirements. Goodluck!

 

[anyresidency]

Not in Connecticut and some other states. Check their requirements. Goodluck!

I checked a few months ago because I wanted to take Step 3 while the Step 2 material was fresh in my mind. In Pennsylvania a residency program director has to sign the application. Maybe I could take the test in another state though. They sure make it much more complicated than sitting for Step 1 and 2.

I can't find a page that lists the state-specific eligibility requirements, but from their FAQ...
8. Does it matter where I take the Step 3 exam?
No. While you will sit Step 3 under the eligibility requirements of a specific licensing authority, you can take the exam at any Prometric test center in the United States or its territories.
9.Do I have to take Step 3 for the medical board of the state where I reside?
No. While many people do this, it is not required.

So I guess I can pick a state like Connecticut to write on the application and then take the test in my home state of Pennsylvania? That is so goofy but whatever I'm not complaining.

 

[docrv]

Eligibility
All Step 3 applicants for the Connecticut Medical Examining Board must meet the core
USMLE eligibility requirements and the following state-specific requirements:
Post-Graduate Training: None
Attempt Limits: None

When applying for a Step 3 exam, FSMB will ask you to choose a medical examining board. Choose Connecticut on the website and it will lead you to a pdf with instructions and requirements.

http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_requirementschart.html?

 

[anyresidency]

Eligibility
All Step 3 applicants for the Connecticut Medical Examining Board must meet the core
USMLE eligibility requirements and the following state-specific requirements:
Post-Graduate Training: None
Attempt Limits: None

When applying for a Step 3 exam, FSMB will ask you to choose a medical examining board. Choose Connecticut on the website and it will lead you to a pdf with instructions and requirements.

http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_requirementschart.html?

Thanks, I am so excited about being able to get Step 3 out of the way. I'm actually pretty good at taking tests. I failed all those times because I didn't study (dealing with a bad marriage and depression issues).
You made my day 🙂

 

[docrv]

You're welcome! Goodluck with Step 3!!

👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

 

[skypilot]

i bet once you are licensed and board certified in any state it may be possible to get a waiver to get a license in another state.

 

[zinjanthropus]

Thanks, I am so excited about being able to get Step 3 out of the way. I'm actually pretty good at taking tests. I failed all those times because I didn't study (dealing with a bad marriage and depression issues).
You made my day 🙂

FYI - I think you can register for Step 3 in one state that allows you to take it without residency but then you can actually sit for it in another state. This might save you a trip if that's what you were planning.

 

[wolferman]

I did an ortho rotation with a group in Boise, and they liked me enough that they offered me a job assisting in their surgeries in my free time during the remainder of 4th year. The trouble was, the hospital they worked at only allowed MDs, RNs, PAs, and CSTs to assist in a paid capacity. I could assist as a student, but I would not be allowed to be paid.

Since you will be an MD, there is a chance you could find surgeons around your town that will want an assistant on days their PA is unable to scrub in. It gives their practice a bit more freedom, plus you'll get surgical experience and an assistance fee. It might be worth investigating.

 

[edmadison]

There's another possibility and I'm lothe to suggest the trap, but I imagine you can get an Army or Navy Internship for 2009 -- you'd have trouble getting a residency and would have to do general medical stuff after that year, but it would get you a medical license and, who knows, you could show your stuff that year and then get picked up later for the rest of residency.

Ed

 

[mochief2000]

I am curious. I thought their was a lot of prelimenary surgery positions usually available after the match. Why don't you try one of those. Its better than staying out a year.

 

[silas2642]

I wasn't able to scramble into a position this year and I don't know what to do. I tried to scramble into a family medicine residency because I thought it would be the easiest to get. I also have to think about what I can do for a year until the next Match. I would like to find out what I can do with a MD besides clinical medicine. Please help.

Temple med school graduate
Step 1, 201 third attempt
Step 2cK 203 fourth attempt
Step 2cs pending

There has to be a family medicine position that you can obtain. Have you tried the more rural areas that are less selective? It would suck to go this far in your education and then have to sit out a year.

 

[Top Gun]

There's another possibility and I'm lothe to suggest the trap, but I imagine you can get an Army or Navy Internship for 2009 -- you'd have trouble getting a residency and would have to do general medical stuff after that year, but it would get you a medical license and, who knows, you could show your stuff that year and then get picked up later for the rest of residency.

Ed

Um, don't they fill during the match or scramble? I thought military internships and residencies filled through the NRMP just like civilian
programs.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Surgical assisting is not a bad way to go, although it may not be an option for someone who is a junior resident as you have to be credentialed by the hospital and may not meet the requisite experience (plus getting credentialed is usually several hundred dollars). But its worth a try.

 

[persia]

I might consider the surgical prelims as well. From what I hear they are a very difficult year, and you are on your own in many ways. But! Sometimes the only way to come back from a bad reversal is to come back from a bad reversal.

In other words, if you did not do well on the steps and have other weaknesses in your application - then improve your test taking skills and improve your application. Because you will be the unwanted stepchild of the surgical floor expectations will be different. So, you be different and try and change whatever it is you feel you need to to become that excellent resident you want to be. If you do a really awesome job, without any great expectations - you might be able to turn all this around. This could be soul-searching time.

Also, saying "I took a surgery prelim year because I love medicine so much I was willing to do what it takes to move ahead and improve my skills," carries some credit. Good luck - 👍

 

[NinerNiner999]

Please dont take this the wrong way, but this may be the best thing to happen to you. Ever thing that you might have test-taking anxiety or a psychological problem with testing? Spend the next year finding out. If you are having this much trouble passing the step exams, you will have a very difficult time passing your specialty exam - which is really the only test that matters after all...

 

[pmick]

I am sure that this scenario is comical to most, but I was wondering if there was any hope of me landing a spot somewhere. I graduated from a caribbean school last June and finally past Step 1 on the 8th try in January2008. I am awaiting my Step 2 score now and plan on writing Step 3 as soon as I am able. I was diagnosed with ADHD last June and feel that finally getting help has made all the difference. I have been working as a pharm rep since June 2007 and would like to go do a FP residency anywhere in the US. My last real clinical exposure was December 2006 and was wondering what I should do now to give myself the best chance to get a residency, assuming I will pass Steps 2 and 3. I am a married, father of 3, and after all these years of schooling would like to finish what I set out to do. Do I have a chance in hell, or should I begin looking at other fields? Thanks in advance.

Phil

 

[Winged Scapula]

I am sure that this scenario is comical to most, but I was wondering if there was any hope of me landing a spot somewhere. I graduated from a caribbean school last June and finally past Step 1 on the 8th try in January2008. I am awaiting my Step 2 score now and plan on writing Step 3 as soon as I am able. I was diagnosed with ADHD last June and feel that finally getting help has made all the difference. I have been working as a pharm rep since June 2007 and would like to go do a FP residency anywhere in the US. My last real clinical exposure was December 2006 and was wondering what I should do now to give myself the best chance to get a residency, assuming I will pass Steps 2 and 3. I am a married, father of 3, and after all these years of schooling would like to finish what I set out to do. Do I have a chance in hell, or should I begin looking at other fields? Thanks in advance.

Phil

Here you state that you passed Step 1 in 2006 after 6 tries.

Nonetheless, whether its 6 or 8 tries, the problem is not getting a residency (although that is a problem as well) but getting a license. Most states have limits on the number of attempts which you have well exceeded. Without being eligible for a medical license, getting a residency position is a moot point. There are some states without limits: http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html

I'd suggest contacting some programs in those states and see what they have to say.

 

[Blade28]

I graduated from a caribbean school last June and finally past Step 1 on the 8th try in January2008.
...
I am a married, father of 3, and after all these years of schooling would like to finish what I set out to do.

I guess I'm a little confused about some inconsistencies as well.

In this thread from August 2006 you said you passed Step 1 on your 6th try. But then in this thread from September 2006 (a month later) you said you failed twice already and are looking to retake the exam.

Then in this post from yesterday you said you're a father of two, not three.

In the end the details don't matter as much and I agree with much of what Winged Scapula said above...just was wondering what's going on? 😕

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

I guess I'm a little confused about some inconsistencies as well.

In this thread from August 2006 you said you passed Step 1 on your 6th try. But then in this thread from September 2006 (a month later) you said you failed twice already and are looking to retake the exam.

Then in this post from yesterday you said you're a father of two, not three.

In the end the details don't matter as much and I agree with much of what Winged Scapula said above...just was wondering what's going on? 😕

Man, this is dedication. I would be too lazy to check the past posting history, unless something was VERY, VERY obviously off in the index post.

Have to work on this trusting nature of mine...

 

[Winged Scapula]

Man, this is dedication. I would be too lazy to check the past posting history, unless something was VERY, VERY obviously off in the index post.

Have to work on this trusting nature of mine...

We're surgeons...not very trusting! 😉

I don't generally go searching through people's posts and I'm sure Blade doesn't either but sometimes the story sounds familiar or when a user posts an unusual story, sometimes it helps to "flesh" it out a bit by reading some previous posts. I've never heard of someone taking Step 1 8 times, so I looked at the OP's previous posts for more information. Most of the time there is a reasonable explanation for the discrepancies.

 

[Blade28]

Man, this is dedication. I would be too lazy to check the past posting history, unless something was VERY, VERY obviously off in the index post.

Have to work on this trusting nature of mine...

While I'm very trusting (perhaps too much so!) in real life, I've been here on SDN long enough to have developed a more worldly, realistic view.

I also have a good memory and I remembered the OP's older posts on taking Step 1 six times.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

plus, it's easy since the poster only has 11 posts as of this date

background checks rule!