10-10-2009, 08:20 AM
Finally, I passed Step 3. This forum has meant a lot to me. Anytime I felt depressed, I came here. You guys always encouraged me. I want to say thank you and good luck to you all. As an old graduate of 1988, Step3 was the hardest exam. It is a tough test for someone who learned medicine long time ago. I failed it last year, after studying on uw moq/ccs, kaplan notes (step2), and crush. Then I started over with premier home study (cheapest one comes with MP3 and old notes), first aid, and swanson. I think most of the review books are not good enough for the MOQ except premier. Uw ccs and first aid ccs are more than enough. If you graduated medical school in a several years, it should be fine to use just a few review books and question bank, but for old graduates who forgot everything, you need something more, such as premier. I am currently in residency program at some university. Because of my strong basic research background, I got a position through match without knowing anyone in any programs in the US, and I had no clinical experience at the time of interview. I got only two interviews, and matched to the first pick (I was very lucky). I did not match to my preliminary position, but I got it outside match through the program. After starting my prelim-year in medicine, it was very difficult for me to adjust myself to the system in the US that is completely different from the one in my country. The program put me on probation for a while because I had no clue what to do in the ward. But eventually, I graduated my internship, and started the residency in my speciality last year. I would like to give you some advise, regarding match, if you are applying for the program without outstanding score (like me, all of my scores are less than 85), and if you are an old graduate, I found many FMGs have matched to the program after spending a couple of years doing research in the department you are interested. If the primary investigator is a physician, it is better, because your boss can write a good recommendation letter, and help you to get a position in their or outside program. The way to get a research position is to write a letter directly to the program director or other faculties to ask for the possible research opportunities or observation. If you are working full-time like I was, it might be difficult, but unfortunately it is the way it works. Convincing the person who are known in the filed is the fast-track: that is something I have found during my residency.
Thanks again, and do not give up. You never know what is going to happen. While I was going through match process, many, many, many people told me that there was NO chance to get a position. But see, I am here finishing my residency in one of the most competitive field even for the american graduates. So, do not listen to negative input, just believe in yourself, be practical, be positive, and wait to see what is on your way.
God bless you,
Thanks again, and do not give up. You never know what is going to happen. While I was going through match process, many, many, many people told me that there was NO chance to get a position. But see, I am here finishing my residency in one of the most competitive field even for the american graduates. So, do not listen to negative input, just believe in yourself, be practical, be positive, and wait to see what is on your way.
God bless you,