AhsanCorleone
Forum Newbie
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Posts: 6
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I graduated from a prestigious medical school in Pakistan that is well recognized in the US. Almost all of the alumni of my college have managed to gain admission into decent residency programs in the US, some even managing to get into places like Harvard, Duke and Mayo.
I was an above average medical student and have a good (score) transcript. I did three months of electives in the US (ENT, Cardiology, Gastroenterology) and got excellent letters of recommendation. My LOR from doctors at my own college are just as good. I actively took part in several research projects during my training as well. The point that I am trying to make is that until the point I graduated from med school, I had everything going for me.
Right after graduation I was hit with a personal tragedy. As a result, my preparations for the USMLE faltered and I wasted a year, not being able to take the exam in time. For some reason I lost focus after this event. I had always been an excellent, hard working stuident, and even now I fail to realize just why I dissociated myself from my profession.
Thankfully, I have now regained my desire. I am currently both studying for the steps and working 2-3 hours a day at a hospital doing voluntary research. I am confident I can achieve 90+ scores in both USMLE steps.
I am also positive I will do well in an interview. I can speak fluently and word myself precisely, and I do not get nervous or tense.
The problem is that I have a 5, yes, FIVE, year gap to explain. I cannot but feel this will severely hit my chances of getting a residency. In the interest of being realistic, I realize I have no chance of getting into a highly competitive program. However, I strongly desire to gain admittance into a university based program (Internal Medicine).
How do I go about this? How do I explain the 5 year gap in my CV? Should I just go with the truth or concoct something (which I'd rather not)?
Will my brother be able to help? He is a gold medalist resident from the State University of New York and an author, amongst other things. Will a good word put in by him grant me a decent chance to get into SUNY's program, provided I get very good USMLE scores?
Finally, will research in the US help? Say a one to two year stint?
I'm desperate right now. I never saw this coming, and I deeply regret losing sight of what I could have achieved. Any help is deeply appreciated.
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| minang
Forum Senior
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Posts: 229
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well...the truth will always prevail. So don't tell lies or make up any fake story. And another thing is the US....connection matters. it's more about who you know than what you know. And don't be too arrogant, especially during an interview. It could hurt you some times. 
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| AhsanCorleone
Forum Newbie
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Posts: 6
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Yeah, that I know. I come of as confident, not arrogant. My post might have seemed otherwise but I was attempting to stress that the only weak link in my application will be several idle years.
I'm certainly not perfect, but what I'm concerned about right now is the affect the five year gap will have on my chances. Hopefully some people who have witnessed similar cases will be able to provide me with insight.
As of now, I am also considering applying for a 1-2 year research stint in the US, before I apply for a residency. I'm not sure if this will help my chances, so information on this will be appreciated as well.
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| minang
Forum Senior
Topics: 3
Posts: 229
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I know people who entered residency after 5+ year of graduation, e.g., staying-home moms etc. Just take your USMLE exams....scoring high on both (95+)...then you will see how residency programs will rate your ability/capability.
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| AhsanCorleone
Forum Newbie
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Thank you for your replies.
I myself am acquainted with a few moms who applied several years after graduating. However, I feel that they have a valid excuse, ie taking care of their child. A valid excuse is what I probably lack.
While the realization that having wasted several years depressed me at first, I have shaken the feeling off and am now focusing on scoring well.
I'd still like to know if I have a reasonable chance of gaining admittance into a university based IM program in the US, even if its a mediocre one. There seems to be only one kink in my application, but I fear its a big one.
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| AhsanCorleone
Forum Newbie
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I made a slight miscalculation, please let me correct myself.
Since I am working at a hospital as I study, the duration of my idleness is actually four years, not five.
I'm not sure if thats significant in any way though.
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| silver
Forum Guru
Topics: 21
Posts: 773
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hi AC,
i just came across your post today. i'm also a grad. from Pak. studying for steps these days. i just wanted to encourage you to keep going. you seem to be doing well obviously. the fact that you are back in the game and really want to pursue your career should be more than enough assurance to you that you will get in to a good program and this gap of 4 yrs or whatever that is haunting you at this time will no longer matter. i would say tell the truth, don't lie. if you're willing to work hard and ppl see that, you will be selected. a lot of ppl have been discouraging me from giving the exams, because i'm also following it up after a gap of 3 yrs (i was working during this time) but everyone keeps scaring me that programs are more interested in 'fresh grads'. but you know what, none of that matters...ppl will say things to scare u and whatnot, but my advice would be to keep at it, block everyone out, work hard and you'll see one day you'll be exactly where you want to be. as they say, "lagay raho!"
___________________
Every disaster hides an opportunity.
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