DiaHuq
Forum Elite
Topics: 46
Posts: 402
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Best wishes in your future role as residents as for now enjoy as much as you can from july 1st the real work will start. For those who will participate in next year's match both new and old, Good luck and I pray that each and every one matches.
I'd like to thank everyone in this forum for all their support and companionship, Sometimes all you need is a kind word and the knowledge that others know how you feel and what you are going through to help push you through all the frustration and headache associated with the usmles and the match.
I accepted a prematch at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, (6 minutes door to door from my house)
I applied only with my step 1 score (99/252), us citizen, no usce, 2003 grad, and got 12 interviews and waitlisted on 4 more. several programs said they would offer interviews only after ecfmg certified. after step 2 score (99/258) got 3 more interviews. however did not get my cs results until mid jan, so missed out on several interviews,
went to 6 interviews, was offered 4 prematches and 1 semiprematch. accepted prematch after 2nd look, must admit was tempted by the other prematches but this was best for my family in the end.
Things I would advise future applicants:not in any particular order
1. try to be certified before match starts, I didn't receive my certification until feb, and that really affected my interview offers
2. take time on your personal statement, even though it seems that the pd won't be able to read all the personal statements from all the applicants, during my interviews they discussed parts from it and trust me it's read, plus know your cv well
3.be prepared to explain gaps, i graduated in 2003 and haven't done anything since but i told them the truth about what i did and why(took some time off to travel and bond with my hubbie and then studied for exams). I was told by some people to not give that explanation but I think as long as you are honest and explain yourself well it'll be okay
4.If possible try to get usce before you graduated, another applicant I met who was from India did rotations at Northwestern univ and UTsouthwestern because while she was in final year emailed program after program and as soon as she took her final exam before she received her diploma she came here and did her rotations, it's not easy and you'll probably have to write to many many many university programs but in the end the hard work pays off.
5.Don't be nervous, be yourself and be relaxed, it's okay to smile and laugh. I had a great time during my interviews and they felt more like conversations, very pleasant, it was more like they wanted to answer all my questions then ask me questions.
6.apply early, I originally wanted to apply after taking step 2 but then found out that you can apply with only step 1 so i applied in late sept and my lors were uploaded early oct.
7. Most most important don't give up hope, and don't get bitter, I know the system seems bad but before the match it was a lot worse, just remember you gained admission into medical school beating out many others, and then managed to finish medical school, which again some people can't, you are taking the usmles, which itself is a feat and then if not this time, maybe the next, but in the end ultimately you will make it. In the end no one will care about your usmle scores, or how many interviews you had, in the end you will all be practicing in the states. Just remember to help fellow applicants good karma never hurts.
I owe so much to the people on this forum, I hope that next year I'll be back to help too.
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| DiaHuq
Forum Elite
Topics: 46
Posts: 402
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oh yeah, I ended up cancelling the rest of my interviews, lol, I hope that resulted in someone getting an interview that ultimately led to their matching.(forever an optimist)
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,734
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Very good advice - I am certain that you will do well in Dallas. I really enjoyed meeting you!
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| Googly
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 27
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i m happpy for u.u r really wonderful and deserve all the success.wish u goodluck
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| muryum77
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 27
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dear dia haq,
great post....I hope u have tons of fun in your next 3 years...this forum really has been great for all of us.  where in the world did u meet bbb? i was kind of thinking i met her in Austin, Texas. but i am just speculating...
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