Knock on Every Door
Step 1 : 223 (first attempt)
Step 2 CK : 226 (first attempt)
Step 2 CS : Pass (second attempt)
Step 3 : 227 (first attempt)
GAP since graduation: 7-Years
US IMG
Third attempt at matching
What would you do if you had a newborn son, a failure on step 2 CS, and two failed attempts at matching?
I immigrated to the United States with my wife and three-years-old daughter in 2013. I was very fortunate to have a green card and expected fewer challenges since we had family here. In retrospect, I completely underestimated the challenges ahead of a foreign medical graduate. Soon I started to prepare for the USMLE exams and passed my Step 1 on first attempt with 223. Then I jumped into the CS exam not being fully prepared which resulted in a failure. I was deeply depressed at that time and was thinking that the pursuit of my dreams in the United States is over. However I managed to get on my feet again and studied harder.
Meanwhile a new family member was added to our little family and my son was born. Struggling with the duties of parenthood, I kept on studying hard and passed my CS exam on second attempt and then took step 2CK and passed it with 226.
I liked surgery and realized that my scores was not competitive enough, however relying on my background and my LORs obtained from US surgeons I decided to give it a shot in my first year in the Match; no interviews! I was very disappointed.
I started to reevaluate my interests and priorities in life and decided to pursue my love of practicing medicine in a less competitive field. I prepared for the second season of the Match, I got new and good LORs and made new connections with inspiring mentors, however being naturally reserved I came short of making strong relationships with everyone that I met. I thought to myself having one good connection in a program would be enough, which was a major mistake and I didn’t match again.
I felt so desperate and it felt like it was the end of the world, but I, with the support of my lovely family, picked up, dusted myself off, and started again with a determined attitude. I knocked on every door and took every offer of help seriously, and was fortunate to meet people that changed my entire approach to this consuming and tiring process. I made sure not to leave any stones unturned. I travelled three times out of my state for observations and made new and strong connections. Meanwhile I studied hard for step 3 and passed it successfully with 227. I prepared for interviews in advance and did mock interviews again and again and again. And finally all this sacrifices paid off and I matched!
Final word; never ever give up! Its OK to feel depressed, angry or tired, but never let hopelessness get into you. Knock on every door, listen to people and think well about their advice and choose the one that best suits your situation.
- A. M. March 15, 2018
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