yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Hi everyone!
I need your advice, I am an IMG, graduated in 2001 and I have this situation:
I finally decided to take step 1, unfortunately I know that ERAS opens in September 1, and in order to get a better chance to get an interview, sharvil, another member told me that it is better to have as many results as possible by september 1. In my case this is definitely impossible, it is March, and I would only have 4 months to study in order for me to apply in late July for step 1 and have my step 1 score ready for September 1.
I know scores are important so if I study for 6 months and take step 1 in late September I would have my score by late October, so my question is....should I do this and apply for a residency until late October and only with my step 1 grade to match in 2007, and do step 2ck and cs in December or should I realize that I am not going to have sufficient time to match in 2007, and I should aim for 2008 match??
I thank you in advance for your help!
Yolanda
___________________
Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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| zoya1
Forum Senior
Topics: 14
Posts: 47
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Hi, I was in a similar situation to you last year...I also graduated in 2001 and was unsure whether i would have enough time to study for both steps in 1 yr, i ended up fgiving step 1 in august 2005, and my step 2 was planned for Nov 2005 and CS for Dec 2005..Due to unforseen circumstances my step 2 got delayed till Jan 2005 and my CS to feb 2005...But in reality it is possible to give all ur steps in 1 yr...plus u will remain in the 5 yrs since graduation...So give it a shot, my cs result isnt out yet as if you give it past dec 31st you dont get ur result until after march 29th, other wise in post match scramble i had a very good responce and would have gotten a residency if only i has timed my cs before jan 1st..Also in the match itself i did get an interview call on my step 1 and for a long time was on waiting lists for a ew other hospitals just waiting for my other results.. My advise is go for it, see how u feel just before ur exams if you are ready or not,and be positive...By the way i submitted my application to ERAS early oct...so there is always time..
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| tania_b
Forum Elite
Topics: 10
Posts: 119
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Hi Yolanda,
If you dont mind, whats your visa status? I am asking you this, because , if you apply for 2007 match with only step 1 scores with H1B, I really have serious doubts, if you are going to even fetch enough interviews. Rather, you will waste a lot of time from September onwards till Jan 2008, attending interviews, with minimal chances.I would suggest take significant time for step 1 and 2. At least 4 months each. I myself had started applying with STEP 2 scores and CS results, with STEP 1 scheduled for November 1st.I was lucky, that by middle of November, i had my ECFMG certificate. So, if you think, you can have at least 2 scores in hand..say step 1 and CSA results, you still have a good chance of fetching interviews...but eventually, if you really want to go for 2007 match, you will HAVE to have the last set of scores ready too, for which I am afraid you might not get enough time.
So, my sincere advice to you is, to take your time, and prepare thoroughly for all 3 exams, and go for 2008 match. You can take step 1 in July-Aug, step 2 in dec- jan, and CS in mar- april. Get your ECFMG certificate by April end / may. Plan up a 1-2 month Observership / Externship, so as to get a US LOR, and work real hard on your CV and Personal statement.Also, during this time, you can make a rough sketch of which programs you would apply to and you will be RIGHT ON TIME for september 1st 2007 to apply for match 2008.
Of course this is just a sugestion. If you think you can make it earlier, with good scores at the same time, then go right ahead with 2007 match.
You can also go through some of this year's match experiences, in order to get some idea, of how people applied with what credentials, and how many people matched / unmatched etc. I am sure that would be helpful.
Good luck to you! , and whatever you decide, go with it.
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| doc_droc_apurva
Moderator
Topics: 38
Posts: 1,705
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all good things come to those to those who wait
i gave my s1 in june. s2 in nov. cs in dec. i had applied to 110 places. had 6iviews - 3j1 and 3 h1. decided not to match. my scores were decent and had a perfect s1 score when i applied in sept 1. barenaked cv.
my friend with slightly worse time frame and slightly lesser scores and gc - 10 uni iviews and match in uni.
i will be out shootin again this yr..
if u dont mind the cash - go for it. but under no circumstances compro ur scores. scores are god for u. bcoz watever ppl say about cv - its the scores which get u an iview.. so u dont want to mess up ur life for savin my year. my advice now - no target approach. study now and give exam wenever ur confident of a superb score and then decide for urself..
apurva
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Aut Invenam Viam Aut Faciam
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| azirikani
Forum Elite
Topics: 49
Posts: 158
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Dear all
I think ,the best advise was given by DOC-DROC- APURVA.
cofidence befor exam is a key issue for getting high score,do not put your future career in danger
because of hurry up,there it is difficult to make up a low score or failure in exams .it can
decline you chance for matching but,it is your choise.
Good luck.
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Hi everyone!
Thank you to all of you for your opinions.
Tania-b, yes I will need a visa, I have the good fortune that I already have 4 LORS from US doctors, and I've been attending grand rounds at list once a month and will keep doing this this year at a hospital in CA, and I am sure that I can shadow a physician for a couple of months before sep 1, but I definately agree that I won't comprimise scores like doc_droc_apurva said.
I guess, that I will start to study, hard, and if by July I feel confident I will do it, if not I will wait till September, and depending on the grade I will decide if I apply late October to a residency program with just step 1 grade. The problem is the cash like doc_droc_apurva says, I can't afford to take step 1 and not pass, or to apply and not match, it is too much money, money that I don't have.
Ok so to zoya1, tania_b, doc_drox_apurva and azirikani THANK YOU!!!!!
Hope to see you around in here! I will leave you with some quotes that I like:
"Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back" -Babe Ruth
"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through" - Rosalynn Carter
"It is not because things are difficul that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult" -Seneca.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!
___________________
Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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