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Beryl Kalul-- MATCH 2019


Matched into FM with low scores and attempts. I am sharing my experience in hopes it may help/encourage some of you going through the same experience as I did.
Step 1: 204 (2nd attempt) 2014
Step 2: 225 (1st attempt) 2015
Step 2CS pass (1st attempt) 2015
Step 3: 205 (2nd attempt) 2017
YOG: 2013 and Green Card Holder
Matched: 2018 to FM
This is my 4th time applying, and I finally got it. First time I applied I had only 2 LORs from private clinic doctors, 2nd time I applied I had 7 LOR from mostly internal and one from FM and no Step 3. 3rd time applying I had step 3 and several LOR, one even from a PD. 
I think what helped me the most was connections. I knew I had low scores and attempts, and it felt next to impossible to get matched. Most of the people in residency I talked to said that my chances were extremely low. I went to 2 big conferences, the AAFP national conference in Kansas City MO that happens every year in July and the FMEC that happens around November every year. I think the one in Kansas YOG has to be less than 3 years to get in otherwise you will need some major connections to get in. But it is also a great place to network. The one in November you can pay for membership and go there. Also a great place to network. By the time 2018 had reached I had networked as much as possible, I talked to everyone and anyone would give me the time of day. It is very important to keep an open mind in this process and don’t look down on people you think cannot help you. I have realized that people in medicine are connected in so many ways. I even got help with my PS from doctors in academics who forwarded my PS to program directors to review. Most of my connections were made in the most unpredictable way. It was hard to just approach PDs at conferences and talk to them. Some would half listen after you mention your scores and others would straight up tell you that you will never be accepted into any residency with those scores. I kept note if all these statements! When it came time to apply next season, I made sure not to apply to those areas as I had already spoken with them and knew I would be wasting my money. After my 3rd cycle applying I felt like I had no more energy in me and was seriously considering giving up this journey and looking for other career paths. I felt I had nothing to give any more especially because now I was over 5 years graduate. Since 2016 I had spent most of my time doing clinical clerkships, observerships and working as a medical scribe so I can get good/ strong LORs and to keep them current. I was now considering going into research or doing MPH and trying again.. But to my amazement one of the many contacts I made when I began this journey long time ago is who helped me secure a position. I cannot stress enough about connections especially if your scores are low. My application must have been filtered a lot so just to get in the door was very difficult. Even if it has been years keep in contact with your connections. Let them know where you are in the journey so if opportunities arise, they can think of you. Be ready! I was told again and again not to give step 3 and that if I failed it would be the end of me. Well I did and I failed the first time. But truth be told if I had not done my step 3, I would not have matched this year. So if you have low scores or attempts definitely do step 3. 
This was my first and only interview in this whole process and I matched. To God by the glory.
This is my journey and it may be unique to me, but I thought I could share it because I have been encouraged immensely by so many people’s stories here. Thank you all and best of luck.

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