sachida
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
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Dear friends,
I am in real bind for now, not have completed my step 2 ck.
many of you know, I applied with step 1 score and had four interviews.
but situation at my home (mental and emotional exhaustion, with full time work), I have not been able to study well for the exam. I have completed 80% of the usmle world over 6 months with average score of 60%
I have only couple more weeks to even have opprotunity to be ranked. and subjects like pediatrics, surgrey, ob/gyn were read atleast 2 months ago
I beleive I will score between 75-85 if I went to exam with two weeks of full time study and it may not be sufficient for the programs I interviewed (PD asked for above 80).
Do I take a risk and save myself from agony of waiting another year?
Just so you know...Its been three years since I finished my PhD and everyone around me is pushing me to take exam and move on with the life. But I feel terrible and scared to commit. what would you do?
(step 1 93, step 2 cs passed, 1999 IMG, no visa needed, 2 publications and couple on the way, junior faculty at present in major university)
If I am forced to wait another year, I think I wont be doing fellowship...I think I dont want to go for it at the age of 35.
I know no one can fill in my shoes or tell me what to do but I am eager to hear peoples thought...
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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I think you did so good in step 1, you must be prepared for step 2 already. Try an NBME, maybe it will help you decide. Personally (because of my temper), I'd go for the test. But that's a huge decision, you have to make by yourself.
Good luck! 
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| robin082006
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You are in a marathon, you applied for the match and are studying step 2 at the same time. These concomitant jobs make you lose your concentration for step 2.
If you feel that your IV performance went well, go for the exam and participate in the match gamble. if not sure, be patient!
Good luck/
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| GLO MD
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Do you feel like you have the strenght for another round at the match?? If you do and you do not feel ready for the exam you should probably wait... but I have a feeling that if you decided to apply this year even if you were not done with your exams is because you really want to start residency as soon as possible...if this is the case go for it!! Step 2ck is way easier than step 1 and since you did so well on step 1 you will get at least an 85 for sure even if you don't feel that ready... maybe feeling ready for you is equivalent to getting a 99!! You'll do well if you decide to go for it!! Good luck and keep us posted.. 
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| mazinger
Forum Guru
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sachida dont drive so quickly into conclusions, you have gone through so many risks to this point... This is just another one you have to take, my advice is go for the one you feel its the safest. I always think safe of course within a frame of reference, because all of us have gambled so many things to get this point in our lives...
Remember you can get stucked with a low score for the rest of this process. On the other hand I have seen people who are corageous and risk it all and have achieved their goals. So there is no real trick or formula.
But, do consider once YOU make your choice keep to it UNTIL THE END, and never look back! And I mean it.. If you hesitate at any point.. That whatever choice you made is the wrong thing and start looking back, that will be the end of the road my friend... So whatever choice you make, DONT LOOK BACK and DONT REGRET..
Big decisions are made by all people, but only the BIG stick to them till the end!
GL and I hope you find your answers soon...
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| kity
Certified.............
Topics: 31
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I would decide upon how did the 4 ivs go. Do you think it went well, any +ve signs from PDs by mail etc? I too have pressure to give step 3 by this month end by 1 program, among my 3 Ivs.or else that proram wont rank me. Then i am left with 2 programs where I will be ranked. I am not going to give step 3 in this pressure although many have done it in few weeks time & everyone said step 3 can be done in 2-4 weeks. still I am ready to wait for next match rather than spoiling my scores.
Its my personal opinion as I am not confident abt my prep. Scores in online NBME will guide you I guess.
GL make wise choice for yourself.
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| prueba
Forum Guru
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The problem I see is that your report should be ready before ROL submissions (before feb 27) so you should have just 2 weeks from now
I would probably study full time (10-14 hours/day) for 2-3 weeks, take an NBME (1-2 days b4 test) and decide according to it... If you plan to take it, make sure you contact all the programs you visited (showing your interest in those programs) after the test and as soon you get your result...
Good luck with your decision ....but first study hard, then decide ...
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| sachida
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 438
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thanks guys,
those were great supportive post
I understand the risk and the reward.
My interview with one program went great, almost sure that I will be ranked if I get above 85.
Seond one was ok
Third one is on 23rd, and that is the place where i am junior faculty in research department, so chances are good if I get decent score.
As mentioned earlier, the real bind is two week time frame.
I have decided to study full time for next 10 days, go for NBME and see how I do.
if I am reasonably sure, I plan to go for exam and be done. (above 85- going for exam, 80-85 yellow, below 80-wont do any good).
My real furstration is with kaplan step 2 material is so incomprehensive when you do usmle world. And I hate to not know things and get answers wrong.
thanks once again
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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I think you'll do great on NBME. Just a guess.
Keep us posted, evrybody around here is rooting for you!
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| busybee
Forum Senior
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hi
i was in a similar position no so long ago..........its a real drain tryingto study and iving ........not to mention the distraction the whole match preocess is..........my take for myself had been to focus on the exam and try to get a good score.........coz if ur score aint good , very few will want u..........thats the hard truth u realise well into the process.........so , i think ur right , focus on studying and if u feel comfortable with ur prep.....gp fot it !..........if not , wait , coz that score will stay forever........and personally , i dont even trust wat most of these ppl we iv with say..........too many r too positive..........one place i really liked went on like they wud gimme a prematch the next day.........its 2 weeks and havnet heard from them........so u see.........despite all the feel good ivs..........no one can b sure..........ive met so many ppl with scores in 90s with grt promises of hi ranking not being ranked at all.......so , focus on the test.........i feel thats more important than another yr if u dont feel ready.......gl
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| sachida
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 438
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working hard, will do practice test on Sunday, having hard time wrapping up IM itself. No time to read anything else. Will test my memory...
thanks for all your help
my Georgetown Interview went great, I am reasonably sure if I do fine (read >80), I will have a good chance
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| sachida
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 438
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sad day, got expected score of 200 with margin of error of 12.
that is too close to call...i am dropping out of this race
wifey is very unhappy with this...
but i think it is too much of risk, below 85, i dont think two of three programs will rank me. And if my own school dumps me, I will have hard time next year with that score.
so i am going to need atleast 6 wks of more prep so i can bump score in 90s
thax all
good luck to all
some of you might be my senior recident ....
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Doubt is a luxury we cant afford. Future is predetermined by the character of the people who shape it
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
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So sorry sachida!!... I think you are making a wise decision though... painful and difficult but wise.... your time will come to get the reward for all your hard work... be patient and keep on going! Try to score as high as possible on ck. Good luck friend!
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| prueba
Forum Guru
Topics: 56
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I agree with GLO, It's a difficult but wise decision, and I would have chosen the same.
Good luck with your test. I would probably study hard for step 3 too, it is a big plus having it before sept.
Best of luck sachida.
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| sachida
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 438
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thanks for that vote of confidence GLO MD and Prueba
I am feeling much more relaxed now and confident that my plan is going to work and in grand scheme of life, this year is not "wasted"
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