survivor2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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I want to tell you a story. I have been reading this forum for almost 3 years. I have had a very long struggle with my medical career and I want to give others hope. I’ll try to make this brief. I graduated high honors from a Bachelor of Science, Chemistry major. I wanted to go to medical school and had for some time. I moved to the Dominican Republic and completed my first 2 years of basic sciences. During my second year, I began preparing for Step 1. School was a joke. Tests were repeated, we were lucky if professors showed up, basically it was a big free for all. I took the Kaplan course and attempted Step 1. I failed. By the time I found out that I failed, I was already in the United States. I had transferred to complete my final 2 clinical years (of course I was NOT at a U.S. school…) I won’t go into my struggles with my clinicals and clerkships although there were many. I decided to postpone repeating the exam. Instead, I concentrated on my core rotations. Two months before the exam, I had a devastating breakup. One month before my exam, my father was hospitalized for a severe illness. It was not an easy time. I repeated Step 1 and passed. I was thrilled. It was not a killer score (77) but I was happy.
About 6 weeks later, spring 2005, while completing a very easy elective rotation, I took Step 2 CS. I had heard many people say “don’t bother studying, it’s a joke etc…” I did not listen to any of this nonsense. I got myself a partner (essential), signed up for USMLEWORLD and did every single case study twice. We quizzed each other on differentials and workup until it was second nature. I passed. I continued to complete my rotations. I graduated medical school in June 2005.
I decided to apply for the match. I studied that summer for Step 2 while I did volunteer research and completed applications for residency. Even without a score, I got about 12 interviews. I took Step 2 in October 2005. I failed. I was shocked. I quickly re-scheduled the exam, I still had a shot to retake it, pass and still begin residency in July 2006. But, I was traveling for my interviews, working to make some money and nervous as anything. I was still confident at this point. I had 2 pre-match offers, contingent upon me passing Step 2. I failed by 2 points. Devastation set in. People told me that I might want to consider a PA position (physician assistant) and other disheartening things.
I will admit, depression set in, but not for long. I decided to try again. I changed my angle on the exam. I applied for the exam for the 3rd time. My application was rejected. There was a SERIOUS problem with my school and at this time no one was allowed to take any exams. I started freaking out. The uncertainty went on for months. ECFMG would not allow any students or graduates from my particular school to take any Step exams. How the hell was I supposed to study with all of these unknowns? I was broke, loans creeping up, lost my pre-match offer, confidence shot and now serious problems with my school that might prohibit me from taking the exam for up to a year or longer. I was freaking out…again. A very long five months later, the decision was lifted and I scheduled the exam. I decided that this was my LAST attempt. If it didn’t work out, I wasn’t giving up, but I was going to take some time to really think.
I will say this: after taking the exam the 3rd time, I didn’t feel any differently than the way I felt after taking the exam the first two times. I just didn’t know. My ECFMG certificate arrived before my score report, so I knew that I had PASSED! The even better news came almost 10 days later. I had scored 85. A big accomplishment for me!
I know that there are MANY people out there posting a score of >90. And to you, I say congratulations; I wish that could have been me. To those that have failed the exam, please try again. I know it’s a long road but it can work.
For anyone interested, I have already contacted some of the schools I interviewed at last year, and they have already promised to interview me again. I will apply for residency this year and I will get it. It can happen, please don’t give up.
Thanks for reading,
A survivor
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| catmd04
Forum Elite
Topics: 26
Posts: 395
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My dear survivor,
Hat off to you and wish you all the best.
What else I can say with this story???
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| dr.barbie
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 42
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You're a great inspiration to all of us non-99ers. Best of Luck to you and thank you for reminding all of us that the only way to really fail is to stop trying.
All the best on your interviews!
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| kakye77
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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what i great post. i too went to school in the DR (UNIBE) what a joke. i have been struggling since. would you please email with your email. i have some questions that i would like to ask. kakye2006@yahoo.com
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| survivor2006
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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Hi,
I'm happy to answer any questions on this thread but I would prefer not to give out my email address if you don't mind.
I have been on many interviews. I know the long road but I also got an interview at an Ivy League school b/c I did a 4 week clinical rotation elective with the head of the department I'm interested in - he wrote me a great letter. I then did research in my area of interest with another MD from that same school. Bad scores are NOT the end of the world. They interviewed me (although straight up told me that if they didn't know me they would have done what they do with all other I.Gs applications, immediately to the garbage....no joke) I did all rotations for my 3rd and 4th year in the states. English is my first language....all of these things matter, along with a friendly and "I can get along with everyone" sort of attitude. The 99%er with the stuck up attitude, sense of superiority and stays to him or herself personality is NOT what they want......
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| Dragonfly
Forum Elite
Topics: 27
Posts: 338
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great sharing survivor.
Good luck for your residency 
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| achilles
Forum Guru
Topics: 90
Posts: 1,228
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truly inspiring and very good and imp tips. thanks survivor and good luck with your residency.
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" it's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up"
" i have miles to go before i sleep "
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| lecheah
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 83
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thank u, survivor 
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| dr.pumpkin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 168
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u r a winner , survivor ..thnx for such a boosting post !! gud luck for ur interviws n ur residency !! u surely gonna make it 
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