It's Just A Test!
- Step 1 : 205 (first attempt)
- Step 2CK: 219 (second attempt)
- Step CS: Pass
- Gap since Graduation : 6-years
- Non-US IMG
What do you think are the chances of matching for a non-US IMG with low boards scores, a failure on step 2CK, and a 6-year gap?
Hey Dr Barone.
How are you? I believe I have a good history of persistence for your website. I moved to the USA in 2013. I started studying and passed the Step 1 Exam on the first attempt with a score of 205. After the Step 1 score, I was feeling down and I fell into a severe depression which got worse after the CK fail! I got a 207 and the boards had just increased the passing score on the CK few months before to 209! Ugh!!
It was very hard to concentrate to keep studying for the second attempt and I felt very insecure. I kept reminding myself that I had to keep going because this was my dream. I worked on believing in myself with the help of my family and that a fail did not define me or my abilities! I made it thru the CK on the next attempt with a score of 219!
I applied to 20 programs only in pediatrics. I wrote to many people that I found on facebook that were in these programs, asking for advice and for help (I must have been very annoying 
). Only few a residents replied. I ask them for advice and to help me getting the interview if possible. Most of the residents who replied couldn’t help with the interview, but 4 of them helped me getting the interview by talking with their PD. So I ended with 4 interviews!!! I prepared every interview very very well. I knew was my only shot. And today I found out I matched!!!!!
The most important thing in my success was being always focused on the goal. I couldn’t let a score to define my future. And the end, it was just a test.
Sometimes the horizon looks dark for IMGs. We have to struggle with a lot of things... language, being far away from family, money, etc. We we have to trust always in ourselves. If you have a goal/dream and you love your career, you will find a way to achieve your goal. There are many ways, you just have to find it.
- J. A. March 12, 2018
Editors Note: There is a big difference between politely asking for help and being intrusive, aggressive, bothersome. Being overly aggressive will hurt you chances so please be careful and respectful.
Comments
Thank you for your post. He did not know these residents but he respectfully and politely asked for help.
Thanks