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 😊

Heartiest congratulations to all those who matched this year and good luck to all the future applicants !!

Comments

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 ...

My Step 2 CK experience- 260

I’m writing this because I read about 30 or more experiences and it helped me make strategy. And I want to add mine to pass on this act of kindness. CK Score – 260, exam in mid march. Prep time – 4.5 months with 2 weeks gap so 4m effectively. I’m a recent grad. Step 1 score – 262, gave in mid sept last year. Resources - uw for ck (gold standard), did online 2.5 times. Cms all forms except family med. Nbme 4,6,7,8. Uptodate for reference. Uw step 3 for psych only. Kaplan patient safety notes. FA for step 1. Process – got step 1 score in mid October, celebrated for few days. Started ck prep in late October. Tried mtb 2 for cvs for a week, didn’t like it so started straightaway with online uw. My step 1 prep helped a lot in CK prep. Never did mtb again. Did uw first round till mid January. I also annotated new points to all uworld notes (whoever did the hard work of compiling it I send my best wishes and blessings to you, thanks a million). Revised the notes after 1st round....

Patel Smit- MATCH 2019

First of all I would like to thank you for your best wishes. Here, I am writing about my USMLE journey. My credentials- Medical school : IMG from India. Step 1: 209/ 1st attempt Step 2Ck: 227/ 1st attempt Step 2Cs: pass/ 1st attempt Step 3: 222/ 1st attempt Graduation: Feb, 2015 Visa status: Green card Clinical experience : 1.5 year clinical experience in home country, almost 1 year observership experience in USA Research experience : significant amount of publication. Specialty : Internal medicine Match 2017- First application cycle (without step 3)I have applied almost 250 IM programs. I got 6 and 1 prematch interviews. Unfortunately, I didn't match. Match 2018- Second application cycle (without step 3) I have applied almost 220 IM programs with more clinical and research experience. I got 7 interviews. Unfortunately, I didn't match. Match 2019- Third application cycle with step 3, more research and clinical experience I have applied almost 190 IM programs. ...

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