Skip to main content

Nidhi Kikkeri-- MATCH 2019



Matched in Neurology at a university program. I am writing this post specially for all the low scorers.
My credentials:
Step 1 : 210s
Step 2 CK : 230s
Step 2 CS : Passed
Step 3 : 220s
All exams passed in first attempt.
YOG : 2015
Visa status : Need Visa
USCE : Almost 2 years combined in Neurology and IM (IM > Neuro)
Research : 3 months in Neuro
Publications : 12 (Only 4 were published at the time of application)
Number of programs applied : 145 total
Number of interviews : 4 neuro and 9 IM
Ranked all neuro on top.
I matched in neurology with absolutely no contacts and connections.
Tips :
1. Scores matter a lot and may be the first filter in many programs. But remember, there are a lot of programs which review your application as a whole. So, prepare a strong CV.
2. If you are planning to apply for Neurology, try to tailor your CV to neurology. That helps. Also remember, the total number of spots in neurology is less compared to IM or peds or FM. That makes it harder to even get interviews in neurology. But its not impossible.
3. Once you apply, try to contact programs through emails, expressing your interest and why you would be a good fit for the program. Emails can help you overcome the score filter. Also, personalize the email to each program. That shows your genuine interest.
4. If you have any redflag in your CV, try to give step 3 asap. You can get into research and get published. That helps as well.
5. Prepare well for the interviews. Your interview performance matters a lot in ranking you.
Again, please don’t think its the end of the world if you score less on any step. There are a lot of ways to overcome low scores and scores are not everything. Its who you are as a person that matters in the end. And trust me, there are a lot of programs out there which will appreciate your efforts and see the potential in you. If US Residency is your passion, work hard and don’t ever give up. Its all worth the effort.
Where there is a will, there is a way ðŸ˜Š
Heartiest congratulations to all those who matched this year and good luck to all the future applicants !!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MY Step 2 CK Experience 284 Medhat Farwati

Dear (future) Doctors, I am Medhat Farwati, a Syrian graduate from Aleppo University, Faculty of Medicine. Hereby I share with you my experience with Step 2 CK. 1. Score: 284 2. Self-assessments: UWSA 1: 273 (2 months out) UWSA 2: 276 ( 1 week out) NBME 7: 277 (1 week out) NBME 8: 280 (3 days out) 3. Preparation time: After I was done with Step 1, I moved to the US as a postdoctoral research fellow. As such, I realized it is going to be challenging to navigate my research du ties, US rotations, Step 2 CS exam, and Step 2 CK preparation. Collectively, the actual preparation time for CK was 12 months with an average studying time ranging from 4 hours a day for the first 10 months to 8 hours a day for the last 2 months prior to my exam. 4. Materials used: UW Step 2 CK (x3) UW Step 3 (x2) Kaplan Q bank (x1) Internal Medicine Essentials Q bank De Virgilio (surgery textbook) Up to date and Medscape Google, YouTube, and Siri 😊 UW Step 2: Your baseline. Most people preparing for CK rega...
1 comment
Read more

USMLE Step 1 Experience by Abeera Ali (Class of 2012) - Score 254

Salam, I just got my usmle step 1 score and since reading about my seniors’ experiences helped me a lot, I want to share mine with you. Material used: Books: Kaplan series Goljan pathology First Aid 2012 and 2013 High yield biostatistics Conrad fisher ethics cases Internet resources: Webpath and neuroanatomy3d Videos: DIT Qbank: Kaplan and uworld Journey: I started studying step 1 books as my textbooks during my studies so by the time I had graduated in March, 2013 I had given at least one read to: Whole Kaplan series(except biochem), Goljan pathology, First Aid 2012, High yield biostatistic, conrad fischer ethics, patho and pathophysio from offline Kaplan Qbank (I didn’t use the rest.) I don’t know how useful that was since I didn’t start my official prep till August, 2013 3 months into my housejob. By that time I am sure I must have forgotten most of it but I guess I was more confident and comfortable then so I didn’t review much of it again. I started...
Post a Comment
Read more

Step 2 CK Experience (280)--vvimp

• Background: Hello everyone. This is Hasan Alarouri, a Jordanian graduate of Jordan University of Science and Technology (2017). I started my dedicated preparation for Step 2 CK during my internship, and the total duration was around 15 months. Owing to how helpful this group had been during my preparation, and the rarity of experiences similar to mine (Step 2 CK prior to Step 1), I thought I’ll have to share my experience with you. • USMLE Scores: Step 1: not done yet Step 2 CK: 280 Step 2 CS: Passed • Self assessment scores: Free120: 96% (5 mistakes); 5 months prior to exam NBME 4: 6 mistakes (offline); 4 months prior to exam NBME 7: 13 mistakes (offline); 3 months prior to exam NBME 6: 5 mistakes (offline); 2.5 months prior to exam NBME 8: 279 (online; 8 mistakes); 2 months prior to exam UWSA1: 286 (10 mistakes); 1 month prior to exam UWSA2: 274 (15 mistakes); 2 weeks prior to exam • Preparation duration and hours studied each day: The total duration was 15. This was supposed ...
2 comments
Read more