Thread: readmission denied. where to go?

so i got the readmission letter back = DENIED... i did premed and med at aua and i really dont know what to do next. to be honest, i can't help but feel betrayed. I wasnt the top student nor was i at the bottom of the barrel. i passed 5th, passed comp but failed step once and this news has really taken a toll on me. Do i have a shot at even having them reconsider my file? Does anyone know of any schools that will take me in without having to go to the islands? please let me know.

thanks

Originally Posted by cardiomegaly

Dont give up. As I have state to some other people before I have met US graduates that have failed semesters, failed a year and have all been successful. I have talked to other students online that have failed the step 1 but have done well in clinicals, great on ALL the other steps and have matched. Some people have major problems taking exams. I know I am great with in-house exams but I have significant anxiety about standardized exams (oh I have learned how to resolve that problem).

US grad....way different....you cannot compare a US grad who has failed and a Caribbean grad(or student) who has done the same...a US grad will get 2nd and 3rd and even 4th chances because they are a US student...a Caribbean grad gets their LAST chance to prove themself when they are accepted to med school...

Originally Posted by rokshana

Dude, you should be happy that people in the upper levels of training, whether it be clinical students, interns, residents, fellows, and attending DO come back to post...even if you don't agree with them, they are the ones that make vmd a useful site...if all you had were a bunch of wannabees and noobs posting all would be just rumors and misinformation...

While he was harsh...the truth is with a failed step I score, it is going to be near impossible to find a creditable school that will accept that person into med school...why should they? They have PROVEN they can't pass a licensing exam...it's the standard that schools measure success...and a person who has failed such a big exam doesn't add to their stats.

Yeah, there MAY be a school that accepts them, but then you have to ask...what are the chances that they will, at the end of the day, get a residency? Because getting the MD is NOT THE GOAL...an MD without a residency is worthless if practicing in the US is the goal...better the OP quits now and saves himself the hundreds of thousands of dollars and looks to another way to make a living...PA, pharmacy, NP,...there are other ways to be in the healthcare field ...while med school isn't impossible, it's not something everyone is able to do...the OP needs to realistic about what his future holds...his best shot is to be able to get another chance at his old school..if they won't take him back, then there is very little chance some other school will take him in...not fair to give him false hope.

Dudette

At least you offer advice. Rahul doesn't offer any. And to be perfectly honest with you, plenty of Carib and US med school students who fail the boards the first time around will attain some sort of residency. It may not be a specialty or their first choice, but if they pass a second time around they can get FM or IM. The bottom line is there are possibilities and ways to meet the end goal.

I am not disagreeing that it will be exponentially more difficult, but I don't believe in kicking people when they're down. If someone truly wants to achieve a goal and is willing to make the effort and make some sacrifices to achieve it, it is possible and it can be done. Moreover, I find that there is an attitude of elitism displayed in the tone of the messages by posters who have graduated from Carib schools and have attained residency or are currently in practice. This is unnecessary. If MDs who have graduated from Carib schools and are in residency or practice respect themselves as physicians and human beings, then they should also respect those who have gone this route before them and those who will follow the same path after them. I'm all for providing sound advice, but the presentation of the information provided is equally as important as the message being conveyed. Perhaps Rahul will learn this in PGY 2.

Good luck to OP.

@ 7125: Just appreciate that we have residents to talk to. Everybody has a different way of teaching

Originally Posted by 7125

Dudette

At least you offer advice. Rahul doesn't offer any. And to be perfectly honest with you, plenty of Carib and US med school students who fail the boards the first time around will attain some sort of residency. It may not be a specialty or their first choice, but if they pass a second time around they can get FM or IM. The bottom line is there are possibilities and ways to meet the end goal.

I am not disagreeing that it will be exponentially more difficult, but I don't believe in kicking people when they're down. If someone truly wants to achieve a goal and is willing to make the effort and make some sacrifices to achieve it, it is possible and it can be done. Moreover, I find that there is an attitude of elitism displayed in the tone of the messages by posters who have graduated from Carib schools and have attained residency or are currently in practice. This is unnecessary. If MDs who have graduated from Carib schools and are in residency or practice respect themselves as physicians and human beings, then they should also respect those who have gone this route before them and those who will follow the same path after them. I'm all for providing sound advice, but the presentation of the information provided is equally as important as the message being conveyed. Perhaps Rahul will learn this in PGY 2.

I never heard of that. What I normally heard is Caribbean students even passing first try, with scores like ~200 and ~210 can't even get IM/FM. Even met a US med school grad that couldn't get a residency even though he retook Step and passed, didn't ask for scores though; That'll be rude.

Originally Posted by thxleave

I never heard of that. What I normally heard is Caribbean students even passing first try, with scores like ~200 and ~210 can't even get IM/FM. Even met a US med school grad that couldn't get a residency even though he retook Step and passed, didn't ask for scores though; That'll be rude.

I know 5 people that have graduated within the last 4 years that have consolidated residencies after failing Step 1 the first time that are in IM and FM programs or are currently in practice (SABA & Ross grads). It wasn't easy, but it is possible.

Understand that I am not saying its OK to fail Step 1, its not. But I don't believe in knocking someone down when they come on here looking for advice, especially when they are down in the dumps.

Originally Posted by rokshana

US grad....way different....you cannot compare a US grad who has failed and a Caribbean grad(or student) who has done the same...a US grad will get 2nd and 3rd and even 4th chances because they are a US student...a Caribbean grad gets their LAST chance to prove themself when they are accepted to med school...

I guess I should have clarified. I was referring to US and CMGs. I know people in both situations. US students who have failed and been successful and CMGs that have failed the step 1 & have been successful.

There are SOME residency programs that take IMGs who didnt pass on the 1st or 2nd try. Just about all are FM. A couple are psychiatry. It is possible but I know it will be VERY difficult. I did a super search one day to look at the requirements of many different residency programs.

Originally Posted by MerlinDoc85

Good luck to OP.

@ 7125: Just appreciate that we have residents to talk to. Everybody has a different way of teaching

With all due respect, it is nice to talk to residents who have something of value to say. If you are interested in a particular program you are more than welcome to e-mail the residents at said program. I doubt anyone of them will tell you to give up on medicine and serve them coffee ala Rahul.

That was really helpful

Originally Posted by 7125

With all due respect, it is nice to talk to residents who have something of value to say. If you are interested in a particular program you are more than welcome to e-mail the residents at said program. I doubt anyone of them will tell you to give up on medicine and serve them coffee ala Rahul.

Perhaps.

I have emailed many residents. I received very few responses.

I understand your point.

Granted, I'm all for boosting morals, honor, doing the right thing, being respectful, talking positive. I understand and advocate for those too. But considering we are in a forum where things are subjective, appreciate what you can get while you can get it. IDK about you, but most of the people here in this forum are in no position to criticize any resident - no matter how great or horrible their communication and social skills are/aren't. It would be nice if people understood - but you can not force people to understand.

That is my only point.


That being said, all students in Caribbean schools should not be given false hope. The more raw/bitter the truth, the more helpful it will be to current students. Inflating and giving them hope is great - but people need to know truths too. Different people have different perspectives. That's life.


FYI, you can give the moral support if Rahul did not. Granted he could have said it differently, you criticising him doesnt make you any better.