Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Hi all,
Firstly thanks for all your help with your posts, you have been really awesome!
I am an IMG, graduated 1998 then did Medicine residency in Europe and came here for research. They made me a good offer to stay (residency+ fellowship in a top program) so I had to be ECFMG certified in 6 months to make it (they didn't care about scores).
I started my preparation last October for Step1:
Preparation Time: 3 months with full time job.
Recourses: Kaplan videos and notesX3. Really good, very high yield!!! and
FA=the best X3
MCQs: Kaplan (just ok) and UW: very helpful, did them all twice
Scores:
UW ~55%,
Kaplan ~65% both went around 70% at the end.
NBME 1: 360 1 month before exam, scary
NBME 2: 420 10 days before
USMLE CD: around 30-35/50
Exam: Dec.26th
Score: 196/80 reported after 3 weeks
After 5 days of resting I started step 2cs
preparation: 4 weeks with my job, little lazy
Recourses: FA, Kaplan book and some videos
Exam date: Febr. 5th in Houston, I have posted my experience.
Score report: after 5-6 weeks, PASS
Then started STEP 2CK Febr. 15th with full time job always... Killing
Preparation: 6 weeks
Resources: Kaplan notes for Medicine, Surgery and OBG, the rest Boards and Wards. I also did Secrets and Deja, both high yield.
MCQs: UW for a month, started 50% finally ~65%, very very high yield.
Kaplan qBook, around 70%
Scores: NBME 1 450 2 weeks before,
NBME 2 420 5 days before
USMLE CD: 40/42/39 or something like that
Exam March 31st: thought I failed, started packing to go back home...
Score report: April 23rd., 218/90 unexpected.
My 2 cents: Kaplan notes are a must for step 1,2. UW absolutely for CK and FA for Step 1 and CS, Secrets for CK. Do all NBME forms for evaluation but then find the questions and study them. This forum is really good, stay tuned!
Getting ready for step 3 now, I only have 3 weeks, I will try....
Wish me luck
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| mangoshaikh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 30
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wow what an amazing experience. Thank you for the post. congrats... reading this just gave me some motivation to keep going.
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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Thats awesome ki67! especially doing all that with a full time job.. !
Thank you for sharing your experience,.. Wish you all the best with step 3 !
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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Congrats, you deserve it!
But for all people reading it, one advice: "Be careful, don't try to do this at home!" or "For demonstration only - professional drive in closed circuit". Note the phrase "they didn't care about scores". 
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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Agree.. Do it if you dont care about scores either 
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Thanks everybody, I really appreciate your comments
hehe Arlete you are right, it's kinda crazy but I had to gamble, specially cause it is a PGY2 position so I won't have to do internship again.... It was really scary when I thought I had flanked step 2 ck and at the same time I had signed a contract for 08-09. I am starting in 2 months, probably these people believed in me more than I did myself.
My advise: if someone wants to go to a top-5 program+ competitive fellowship ( I will do cardiology) should spend 2 years on research where he wants to apply, publish a couple of papers but more importantly show that can work hard. With good recommendations from the inside it's incredible what these people can do for you. Then, they really don't care about scores since they know from someone they trust that you can work hard. Of course If you have time the boards are really good and I wished to had 99s', It's just that I had 6 months only....
My last goal is to get that H1B visa now just started studying for step 3 and I am taking it in 3 weeks,
any advise? books, resources? qbanks?NBMEs?
Thanks again!!!
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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 Are you a genius of some sort or just plain lucky..! the former seems more likely.
As i see it, they offered you a PGY2 position, assured you a fellowship, are sponsoring your H1b, and didnt care about your scores..!! Dude, they really want you there.. Why dont you negotiate for a higher pay as well.. 
Who wouldnt love to be in a position where you are... Congratulations!
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Hi hitesh thank you very much for your comments
I think I was lucky enough to be there at the right time and smart enough not to loose such an opportunity, but not genius at all, trust me.... I am sure they liked my research and I did pretty well in the interviews but that's all.. and I am doing research in cardiology here the last 3.5 years AFTER finishing my residency in Europe so that's not a small sacrifice i guess...
the only reason I posted my experience was to show that making people trust you here is sometimes more valuable than getting 99% in the steps, like an alternative way of getting a position you really want. Take some time doing research, take the steps and if they like you they will keep you for sure. To me was not a part of a plan, but I am sure if someone plans it can make it as well.
Good luck to everybody- hope to pass step 3 now
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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Thank you for sharing your experience. Good Luck with step 3 !
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| match2010
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 104
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thanx arlete ..that advice was very helpful
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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You're welcome, match!
Ki67: You were lucky but you certainly did your share to get there, once again, you deserve it. It's nice to know the rules are not that strict, such as double 99s and fresh graduates will always come first. It gives hope to us. Good luck from now on. I am sure you are going to be up to or even excede people's expectations there. 
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Arlete,
thanks for your reply and your wishes!!
All the best with your residency!!!
Are you taking step 3 as well?
Good luck with everything,
K.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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I am studying for step 3, I want to pass it in June or August. Are you going for it too?
Thank you.
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Yes, unfortunately there is no time as usual and I have to take soon so I got my results back before June 15th.. I have applied and I hope to make it for May 18 and 19th.
Doing UW, Crush step 3 and FA and reviewing my recent UW notes from step 2.
Any ideas/suggestions for my limited time?
Good luck with your studying I am sure you will do great!!
Thanks!!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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I think your plan is good and since you've passed step 2 CK recently, you'll be fine.
Good luck for you, too, and congrats again!
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| praying4a99
MS-III
Topics: 100
Posts: 2,432
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Amazing!
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| Toledo
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 20
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Actually i am really amazed after i had read ur experience and i wish u all the best with Step 3. but indeed i need ur advice.
i know my circumistances are different from urs. i dont have such long history of research( if i have any at all) and i dont have such great contacts within the US.
my question is that if i start my first exam(CK in june) will i have any chances for 2009 match? it means in the remaining time since now afterwards will i be capable of accomplish the remaining steps and gaining the recquired recommendations and plus points to have a good chance in the coming match or it will be better to wait for 2010 match?
hope to hear from u soon
thanks alot and best wishes
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Hi Toledo,
Thanks for your kind words
I am not really sure about it because I did not really went through the 'match' system... As I had done my medicine residency in Europe already, I was offered a position in the second year of a medicine program (PGY2) last September and then I started studying like crazy to make it... I had to be certified by April to start in July of the same year and as I mentioned scores were not important in my case.
A friend of mine though that tried to make it to the '08 match for a normal PGY1 position in the same program had to be ecfmg certified by February to compete with the other applicants. I think that the applications start at September and if you are an IMG it's better to send it then for the interviews etc. My guess is that if you make it to be certified ( that's pass steps 1, 2ck, 2 cs) and possibly step 3 as well (required for a visa H1) you technically can make it. Bit risky but you can.
Do you have a program that you have been talking to?
If you will go through the regular match though and apply to many programs my suggestion is to take the whole year, study 3-4 months for each step ( step 1 is the hardest) and get high scores, get recommendation letters from where you are working at and then apply on Sept.'09 for the 2010 match. You will get much better chances to find a good program.
One more year is not that important I guess. Look at me, I am 35
Hope that helps!!
Best,
K.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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Toledo:
Your safest bet will be 2010. You need high scores.
Good luck!
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Hi Arlete,
do you know how the eligibility period works for step 3?
they have received my notary form and I am waiting to be able to set a date, I am worried if they are gonna make me take it month later... does it work the same way as step 1,2? or as soon as you are eligible you can schedule it even tomorrow if you find available dates? In Manhattan there are 3-4 centers so hope to find some date soon....
Thanks in advance!
K.
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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Toledo:
If you want to get into a good university program , it'll be better if u go for '10 match.
If you just wanna match and if money is not an issue, try to get a good score on ck and apply to as many programs as you can. It can be tricky but you can make it. Getting a good score on step 1 before you go for an interview (ie by oct end) will increase your chances. Ofcourse you'll need to plan things well and also stick to your plan. Most programs dont care about CS, but u need to do that well in time to be able to be certified by mid feb.. But as you can see, it can be tricky.
Good Luck!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 24
Posts: 1,782
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Ki 67:
From what I've heard, the eligibility starts as soon as they give you the green light, after processing your papers, and lasts three months. It's not like the other tests, when you choose the three months you want, even if they are far away. That's why I didn't apply yet. I want June, July, August, so I'll wait one or two more weeks.
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 31
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Oh, that's a relief... I will have it by next week anyway and I will let you know what's the deal.
Thanks!!!
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| Toledo
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 20
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Dear mates ( Ki67, arlete and hitesh),
i am more than grateful for ur sincere advices which realy helped me alot to draw thr road of my coming days. i hope really that u will find people who give u a hand when u need as u gave me such hand. hope u all the best in ur medical career.
just i have some more inquries and hope i can find some answers with u,
1-u told me i should have a good score, so what is the range of such score?
2- beside doing well at exams, what also should i do in these coming monthes to raise my chances in the 2010 match?
thanks alot again and hope to hear soon from u
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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There is no single answer to what a 'good score' is. it all depends on your application as a whole. But if you're gonna apply for '09 match with just the step 2 ck score, i'd say try to get a score of 95 or more (preferably a high 99 )
For 2010 match, you have plenty of time. besides getting good scores you should try getting some USCE. Research would help as well. Good US LORs and some publications wont hurt at all.
Good Luck!
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