Toledo
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
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Dear hitesh,
thanks alot for ur advices. really ur advice beside those of arelete and ki67 make the road clear for me. i hope u all the best
but by the way, is it possible for me to share int he match of 2009 with only my CK score? and if i do so, will this affect my chances if i share in match of 2010?
thanks again my dear and all my best wishes for u and all our mates here
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| hitesh
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If you mean participating in the match, yes you can with only the step 2 ck score. Ofc you will get far less interview calls than you would if you were ECFMG certified. But people have done it before, so you can as well. But, honestly, if there's nothing else on your resume that will 'make up' for not taking step1 /cs (like USCE, good US lors, research, publications etc), you will receive very few calls. So, plan wisely as it costs a lot., moneywise
If this will affect your chances with 2010 match, I am not sure. Some people say that programs might not like you when you apply for the second time 'cos they know they rejected you once but they dont care enough to find out why they rejected you the last time. Well, I personally dont think it works that way. Most programs use 'screens' to shortlist candidates, like scores/ med school etc.. I dont see why you should not get calls when you meet all the criteria they are looking for in an applicant.
Hope it helped. Good Luck!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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I think they don't remember people they rejected, because they are too many candidates. Unless there's some specific (bad) issue that makes you unforgettable...
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| hitesh
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Agree
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| Toledo
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Well again and again i am so grateful for both of you, dr hitesh and dr arelete and indeed hope u the best in the coming match.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Thanks! 
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| vinod14
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Thanks for all the information.
This might be a list of stupid questions, but will help us long way to plan for my wife's admission in to the program. As indicated I am not the one that will be writing the exam but I would like to help my wife with her application process and get into one of the programs.
Could someone plz. help me understand the timing aspect in getting ECFMG Certified and getting ready for the match program? I have broken down the questions as below.
1) Appearing for the Step 1 exam end of June, haven't yet registered for the Step 2 CK or CS exam. Given this, is it realistic to be applying for the 2009 match ?
2) Typically how long does it take to prepare well for Step 2 CK and CS ?
3) Is planning for Step 2 CK and CS by November 2008 reasonable? Is it well placed for the application for Step 3 with FSMB? or is it not realistic ?
4) Does one need to complete Step 3 before participating in the Match program ?
From what I have read in this thread, I feel that we are not ready for the 2009 match. Please let me know if I am wrong and help us plan.
Thanks
Vinod
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Posts: 2,216
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If she didn't pass any of the steps yet, personally I think it's too late for 2009. It takes at least 4 good dedicated months for 1, then 4 months for 2 CK, 2 weeks for CS (if the communication skills are good). Scheduling the CS for July, August at this point will require hours in front of the computer, waiting for somebody to give up a test date, and luck.
The ideal is to aplly on September first, with all the results. The farther you go from this date, and the least results she has, the smaller the number of interviews she's going to receive. But there are people who apply with only one (I bet very good scored) result and still get interviews. But it's gambling, and the process is not cheap. She's going to need time to create a good cv, personal state, dean's letter, gather letters of recomendation, etc, that will take her away from studying, as well.
She needs to pass step 3 only if she wants the H1 visa. But I think she has to do it before February (I am not sure) and she will be able to seat for it only after the first three results, anyway.
And I think scores matter for her, differently from this thread creator, right? So I think it's safer to have 2010 for the target.
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| hitesh
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Toledo : you're welcome. Good Luck!
Vinod :
1. You can apply with just one step passed. To decide if one should or not, scroll up and read this thread and several other threads on this forum.
2. For IMGs, typically it takes 2-4 months for step 2 ck and 2-4 weeks for step2 cs
3. Yes, if you finish all 3 steps ( step 1 , ck and cs ) by nov '08, you'll be able to participate in '09 match.
4. step 3 is required only if you want an H1b visa. you do not need to pass it to be able to participate in the match.
Ofc its gonna be a close call if you do decide to apply this year. But, if it helps you, yes it is possible..
Hope this helped. Hope you make a wise decision.. Good luck!
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| vinod14
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Thanks a ton Arlete and Hitesh, very valuable information and suggestions. I am million times more informed after your posts. Thanks again
We discussed and have decided to not rush in for 2009 and rather focus on doing her exams well this year. This also will give us good amount of time to research on institutions that are appropriate for her profile.
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| hitesh
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Glad i could help. Good luck!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Good luck! Maybe she'll be my intern then! 
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| Toledo
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 41
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Vinod14,
all my best wishes for u and ur wife. and ya it is wise to wait and well prepare for match 2010. may God Help us all.
Dear arlete, hitesh,
can u please help me some more and answer my questions in this topic:
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/71944/
thanks alot and waiting u
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| hitesh
Forum Guru
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Toledo: I'm sorry I cant help you on that one cos i havent taken CK myself yet. For that matter, i havent even taken step 1 as yet.  But, I am sure arlete's reply would be very helpful. All the best!
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| Toledo
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Dear hitesh,
thanks so much for ur reply and ya i belive that arlete will help alot as great as she always is.
by the way, u haven't started CK or step 1 and u have such experience, i think u will do more than great in the exams
thanks alot
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Thanks for the compliments, Toledo. And you are right, hitesh is a very bright young man, I have all my hopes on him.
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| hitesh
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Thank you toledo. I'm hopeful. Glad I could help.
Arlete: the reason I believe I will pass CS is because you told me so. Thank you for all your help and encouragement.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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I'll be sitting for my step 3 on the 18th, but I hope I'll have your PM telling me you passed when I arrive home!
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| hitesh
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Wish you all the best for your step 3..! I'll definitely send you a pm whatever my result may be.
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 8
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Just found out that I passed step 3!
I am so happy.
Preparation time: 3 weeks with full time job( 4-6 hours/day weekdays, 8-10h/day weekends)
Studied Crush 2X and UW all once and the wrong ones again
USMLE CD: 75-80%
NBME 1 week before: 310, was not very careful though so I took it anyway
UW ~55% first time, ~70% second
Took the exam: May 19 and 20, I thought it was not very hard, cases easy but MQCs vague, always had to guess between 2 possible answers.
Actual score reported June 4th: 206/85
I took step 2 March 31st and I have done my IM residency in Europe in 2003 so I guess these both helped.
Bye bye USMLE!!!! starting medicine in 3 weeks- thanks to everybody!
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| hitesh
Forum Guru
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Congratulations!!! Wish you all the best for your residency!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Congrats, nothing can hold you back now!
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| Ki67
Forum Newbie
Topics: 8
Posts: 35
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Hitesh and arlete thanks so much for your comments!
Good luck to you guys too, I am sure you will do great!!!
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