z73MD
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 3
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Dear Usmle forum readers,
First I would like to thank everybody that contributed their exam experience in this forum whether they have good or bad experinced on their exam.
My story (optional to read)
I am an IMG who graduated in 1998..yes that's right ten years ago. I did practiced medicine in my country I did moonlighting for about 3 years until I decided to go on a formal orthopedic residency training. I am on my third year residency when I decided to leave my country and my profession as a doctor to work here in US as a Medical Technologist hoping it will give better future for me and my family. Let me tell you it was not easy giving up my profession to work in a Laboratory with the worst person that you can ever imagined working with. I experienced everything from feeling of low self esteem, losing self pride and confidence upto probably depression but I have to be strong for my family ( wife and kids ) because I know this is just temporarary and I will try my best to go back and work my way up to become a doctor again. So that's what I did, I decided to take part time job to another hospital so I can save money to finance my step1... boy it was not easy working almost everyday and being on call on most of that day, staying in one of the hospital from 4 days and sometimes 8 days straight without seeing my family and go home for 3 days at the same time working and being on call that day and then drive back again to my other hospital which about 350 miles apart plus studying in between. After almost 18 months of hardwork I decided to quit my part time job and just focus on one job since my exam date is already approaching, I need more time to study and most importantly my family plus my new baby is missing me and I miss a lot programs of my son and daughter. (note my challenges did not end on this but I dont think everybody will be interested to know what happens before and after my exam)
My strategy took about 6-9mos rigid preparation
-I didmy schedule ahead of time and adjusting according to my needs.
I did FA(3X), FA Q/A(1x), BRS PATHO/ANA/PHYSIO,LIIPINCOTT PHARMA,UW 2MOS ( 60's) NBME 1 ( 640 ), WEBPATH and GOOGLE SEARCH.
-a week before the exam I printed from google map the site with actual satellite feed, printed my permit, call prometric to confirm my schedule, call the hotel that we're going to stay. I went to the actual site on that weekend jus to familiarize my self to exam area( restrooms, cafeteria, roads and time for me to go from place to another)
day before the exam I relax and enjoy time with my family at the hotel with indoor pool, ate light dinner pray with my family before we sleep.
day of the exam I took a light breakfast, I brought sandwich, bottle of water, a can of coke ( not a good idea ) and pack of bubble gum. I wore sweat pants and sweat shirt and pair tennis shoes for me to be comfortable.
before starting the exam i prayed hard and start the exam, first few question i just felt i did not study at all i just keep on marking question but i remember what forum says focus and go on. i took 2 blocks quick break just to pee and 2 blocks again take my lunch 15 mins only,5th block felt the effect of the soda i took the break again then finish the 2 remaining block. then the survey thank god it's done.
I realized that it is not the preparation period that is stressful but the waiting time for the result.
I took my exam Feb 28, yesterday my wife call me from my work she told she opened my email and their is email from ECFMG that result is available, she was directed to OASIS and she ask for my pin and password. We were both nervous during that time she told me that our computer at home is slow so I also tried it our computer in the Laboratory where I worked and men it was also slow my heart is just pounding then it pops out I GOT 234/98 I just jumped in the Lab like a basketball player made a winning shot, my wife was crying on the phone when she also saw it. I told it to my supervisor and some of my co-worker, upto to this time I can not still believe that I got that score beacause the day before I had a dream that I failed the exam.
Now I must prepare for my Step 2 CK hopefully I can get same or more than that grade then pass my CS so that I can have a shot to be matched and be accepted on a residency training here in the US inspite of being a graduate ten years ago.
Z.md
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| Eduardo
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 11
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Congratulations on your tough work and Score !
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| step99
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 195
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Congrats..
best of luck with your ck preparation..
___________________
Shoot for the Moon.Even if you Miss..You will..land among the stars
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| milee99
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 899
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Hi
Congratulations !!
i am sure you will get into residency
make sure that you stress in your resume/personal statement your work experience of being on call for 8 days etc .. and that you enjoyed it
they want to see that you are hardworking , tough , and a team player ...with a passion for medicine
way to go !!!
___________________
Do not pray for easy lives,Pray to be stronger men; Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, Pray for powers equal to your tasks; Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.
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| hmmm_hmmm
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 27
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i am happy for you. great job.
best of luck to you in the future.
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| Kalyann
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 530
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i actualli felt evry moment of it
there is something that makes ur narration very appealing despite average english.
kudos to u
u deserve such a splendid score....
tc
___________________
Just hit the Bull's Eye with a 99.
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| medisfun
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Truly inspirational Thank you for posting! all the best to you and your family...looking forward to reading on your step 2 experience
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| cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 198
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Congratulations..........my situation is somewhat similar except for the wife and kids and the fact that I'm still waiting for my Step 1 result.
All the best ! Hope you do really well on your remaining exams
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| sidiyaa
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 39
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congrats........................I think if you are married you can got high score...........
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| z73MD
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 3
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Hello Everybody,
Thanks for all your replies if I did it anybody can do it to just study hard, focus and most importantly start everyday with prayers. Can anybody tell me where I can buy Kaplan Step 2CK notes and videos? Im kind a short of money and I can not afford to buy directly from kaplan because it is very expensive.
Zmd
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| sidiyaa
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 39
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Hi z73MD YOU CAN GO THROUGH THIS WEBSITE .YOU WILL FIND ALL THAT YOU WANT.
http://blog.usmleturk.com/
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| yarab99
Forum Elite
Topics: 15
Posts: 260
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well done...wish u the best in ur step 2 prep...
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| good_girl
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 12
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Congratulations z73MD and thanks for sharing.
I find myself at the same situation as you are describing in the first paragraph of your story. But your score definetly picks the sprit up. Thanks.
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| match2010
Forum Senior
Topics: 3
Posts: 219
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kudos for such hard work and truly said that hard work always pays off .....congrats !!
___________________
Target the moon then you will land among the stars.
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| dowjunk
Forum Elite
Topics: 14
Posts: 306
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a really great and inspirational stuff! .................Plz keep your momentum going....wish you the best!!!
___________________
Grad of 2007. Work in progress.......
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| sigh
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 191
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All the best!
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| jaguarprince
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 26
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well done, you deserve the result
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| falcon
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 217
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CONGRATULATION AND GREAT STRUGLLE U DID.
GL
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| spinal shock
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 99
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DEAR FRIEND
when i hear a success story just like yours, it motivates me again reminding me of people that i wanna be one of, i read once in time magazine that ronald regan said approximately 20 years ago( those who say that we are living in a time when no heros can be found they just dont know where to look), i think he was right you are a real hero
___________________
we expect others wishes, we dont miss something that we dont expect to have
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| SOS
Forum Guru
Topics: 17
Posts: 534
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you are a real hero. CONGRATULATIONS...
wish you all the best for residency.
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