Step 3 before residency?helpful or not?

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Step 3 before residency?helpful or not?

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11 Posts

deoriveraMD
Forum Newbie

Topics: 5
Posts: 31

04/12/08 - 10:56 AM

Hi everybody wink

just want to ask for your honest opinions re: taking step 3 before residency..im planning to take step 3 however i got i GC/ immigrant visa already..do you think it would be advantagious to take step 3 in preparation for Match 2009? will the program coordinators rather directors use step 3 to filter IMGs for the match?i work as full time right now&my off days are spent taking care of my 2 1/2 yr old daughter...will step 3 boost my application?or having the certification will be enough for the match?anybody can pitch their opinion/s regarding this matter...it would be greatly appreciated...im just worried that i will not pass the test or get a low score that would screw up my matching application chances...btw i just got midrange steps 1&2 scores cool

motorola
Forum Extremist
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Topics: 66
Posts: 417

04/12/08 - 01:06 PM

Yes it will improve your CV especially if you were to be compared to an otherwise similar candidate. In addition most programs offer prematches only to IMGs who are done with Step 3.

If you are really worried and out of touch with medicine and there is a significant chance that you wont be able to prepare enough and might not make it in first attempt, don't take it, because an extra attempt will spoil the CV.

However I think there is enough time on your hands. Prepare well and get a good score. If you manage anything above 90 in Step 3 it may even partly mask your mid-range step 1 and 2 scores. So think of this as a chance to improve your CV than a risk. Mainly because you have enough time. (I think 2 months of dedicated preparation should be enough for anyone to get a 90+)

Good luck.

medicus_81
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Topics: 12
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04/13/08 - 03:35 AM

I agree with motorola only partially. I received several pre-matches without step 3(I also have GC). Step 3 is of particular importance when you need visa (H1). Since you are a GC holder, step 3 is kind of only the icing on the cake. If you score well it will help you, but if you don't have it I don't think it would hurt you a lot either.

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motorola
Forum Extremist
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Topics: 66
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04/13/08 - 11:41 AM

yes medicus but you had a 99 and a 96, you were a recent graduate, significant US observership and US LORs so you were bound to get prematches. this may not be the case with deorivera. So I still feel there is a SIGNIFICANT advantage in terms of prematches if Step 3 is done.

pinkyal
Forum Newbie

Topics: 4
Posts: 23

04/13/08 - 11:56 AM

Motorola, I might have missed your post, but what was your step3 score?

motorola
Forum Extremist
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Topics: 66
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04/13/08 - 02:09 PM

pinkyal wrote:
Motorola, I might have missed your post, but what was your step3 score?

91/220 what about you ?

ram3
Forum Guru

Topics: 47
Posts: 512

04/13/08 - 02:15 PM

I agree with motorola I think a Usmle step 3 is very important

arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Topics: 30
Posts: 2,235

04/13/08 - 04:01 PM

I think specially for the states with low number of attempts permited (and if you have already failed once or more), it's important that you pass the step 3 before you apply, even when you have the GC. Because if you don't pass and you go beyond that number, you'll be a big problem for the program.

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ram3
Forum Guru

Topics: 47
Posts: 512

04/14/08 - 11:06 AM

I also agree with arlete if you have attempts on a usmle test a passing step 3 score will really help you sticking out tongue

deoriveraMD
Forum Newbie

Topics: 5
Posts: 31

04/15/08 - 01:13 AM

#10

thank you vr much Guys!!!everything bols down to my confidence level wink

deoriveraMD
Forum Newbie

Topics: 5
Posts: 31

04/15/08 - 01:14 AM

#11

i mean boils down to my confidence level wink

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