Can you get a residency after the scramble as an img?

[ohno]

are there residencies that fill spots after the scramble?

if i remember correctly, last year, there were still quite a handful of family med spots left after the scramble...

I failed 2ck by 1 point, and I am not ready to retake it before most interviews are over.

I figure if i can beef up my 2ck score to 220+, then I might have a shot at the scramble. (I know myself best, and I know I can't be ready to take 2ck before xmas. to go from 183 to 220 takes a lot of work.)

If I can't successfully scramble into family med, are there many FM residencies that will take us between March-July ??

i really don't want to sit out for one year

[IfiGetTo5]

As discussed in a prior thread, the scramble/post scramble is a very difficult route to take to get a residency spot. Yes, there were a lot of FP spots open last year (224 to be exact), and 1,087 total unmatched positions. HOWEVER, there were also 1,072 unmatched US seniors (sometimes they don't match either!). The vast majority of the open spots will go to unmatched US seniors before they even get around to considering USIMGs/FMGs. I've helped people scramble in each of the last 2 years, and in about 90% of the phone calls we made to different programs the very first question they asked was what medical school the person went to. When we answered St. George's we were either told that they were not accepting foreign grads or that they would consider the application if they still had open spots after going through their US grads' applications.

Furthermore, you have a failure on the Step 2 CK and very often programs either point blank stated once called, or said it somewhere in their ERAS description that they were only considering people with first time passes on all exams. Again, not saying it's impossible but you are at a significant disadvantage with a failure.

The post-scramble (March-July) time is even harder to match in than the few days that comprise the actual Scramble (less programs open). I'd recommend signing up for residentswap.org if you end up having to do this.

Basically I would really push hard for a prematch - and use any connections if you have them! Good luck.

[ohno]

well, the most important thing, I think, is to raise the 2ck score, rather than rush to retake it and get another mediocre score.

some people make it sound like MOST of the places don't consider you if you fail a step. But I don't believe that.
we're talking about family medicine here....
there's nothing i can do about a failure. But i doubt it's gonna get me barred from most family residencies.

I'm only looking to get "a" residency somewhere, in the middle of nowhere if need be.

if possible, I was thinking about doing an externship at some hospital to try out for any open spots they have left and maybe they just might offer it to me?. <<< do people even do this?

[rokshana]

some people make it sound like MOST of the places don't consider you if you fail a step. But I don't believe that.
we're talking about family medicine here....
there's nothing i can do about a failure. But i doubt it's gonna get me barred from most family residencies.


sorry...it might make you feel better to think this, but even family is able to be pickier nowadays..the sheer numbers of the people applying allows them to at least say 1st time pass only...because there are plenty of people out there with just that...low scores, but at least 1st time pass.

i helped friends the last couple of years in the scramble and echo that the 1st questions that the programs ask are "are you a US citizen or GC holder, and what are your scores and did you pass the 1st time...and a failure in just one, even if it is just CS, kept people from getting a spot in the scramble.

good luck, but be realistic...most people who end up having to scramble don't get a spot.

[ohno]

sorry...it might make you feel better to think this, but even family is able to be pickier nowadays..the sheer numbers of the people applying allows them to at least say 1st time pass only...because there are plenty of people out there with just that...low scores, but at least 1st time pass.

i helped friends the last couple of years in the scramble and echo that the 1st questions that the programs ask are "are you a US citizen or GC holder, and what are your scores and did you pass the 1st time...and a failure in just one, even if it is just CS, kept people from getting a spot in the scramble.

good luck, but be realistic...most people who end up having to scramble don't get a spot.

nah. i never say things to make myself feel better. I'm a 'cup half empty' kind of person.

that brings up another question.

if most of the scramble spots are for 1st time passers only, then when do failures like me have a chance to get into a residency? during the regular application season from september-january??

am I doomed because of test failure? did i just waste $160000 just to blow it all on an exam?

I'm always trying to be realistic. That's why I'm trying to find ways around this, and devising a plan A,B,C etc....

some of these posts make it sound like I have close to zero chance of ever becoming an MD. But I have to wonder....... realistically, is a residency really going to pick an IMG with very low scores? they probably make up the 50% that don't match.

[rokshana]

if most of the scramble spots are for 1st time passers only, then when do failures like me have a chance to get into a residency? during the regular application season from september-january??

well, IMHO doing a rotation somewhere and showing the program that you are a hard worker, team player...that you fit in with the program can be a big boost...because ultimately a program wants a person that will do all of those things...you have one person at a program who will fight for you, then you have a chance

also look at off cycle spots, there are less applicants and if its unexpected opening, then the program is going to be looking to fill the spot quickly.

am I doomed because of test failure? did i just waste $160000 just to blow it all on an exam?

maybe...

some of these posts make it sound like I have close to zero chance of ever becoming an MD. But I have to wonder....... realistically, is a residency really going to pick an IMG with very low scores? they probably make up the 50% that don't match.

you will get the MD, but will you be a resident? that is the big question

[IfiGetTo5]

I didn't say that most places won't consider you if you fail a step... I said that most places IN THE SCRAMBLE won't consider you if you fail a step - this is based on my own experience calling many programs for friends (FP included) and having them tell me they were looking at people with first time passes only. I do have to agree with rokshana that even FP is getting pickier these days, and I do not know to what degree your failure on the CK will affect you. Of course there are many people who get spots without having first time passes on everything - so no one is saying it's impossible. I agree that it's more important for you to get a good score on the CK rather than rush to take it, but I would try to take it sooner rather than later.

I know one person who is doing an externship. From what I know, they're not easy to come by.

[devildoc8404]

You might expand your scope a little, and look at Peds and Psych, as well... or even some IM prelim positions. It's a competitive time to be in this process, and you want as many things running in your favor as possible.

[ohno]

IM prelim....... interesting.

so it's like something to bide your time until the next match huh...

at least you're getting paid?

[stateofequilibrium]

IM Prelim is no cake walk either. Please go to the NRMP website.

[citizenimg]

IM prelim....... interesting.

so it's like something to bide your time until the next match huh...

at least you're getting paid?

Just to give you a little perspective. I'm a US Citizen, AUC, step 1, 80 (4 attempts!!!) Step 2 80 (1 Attempt) and even I have 3 interviews so far this season. 2 Psych and 1 FM. Seems FM is actually being more selective, but I did make my application pretty psych oriented so that is probably showing through. I was the only male at my previous interview, so wondering if being a male interested in psych is having any benefit.
About to start calling programs and begging for more interviews....:) so will see what happens.

All I am saying is, don't give up hope, anything is possible. It just gets harder when you have failures.

[IfiGetTo5]

You are the exception and not the rule.

Congratulations on your interviews. USMLE scores obviously are not the major factor in what kind of doctor a person is going to be but are (perhaps unfortunately?) a big determinant in the residency process. I wish you all the best of luck in your interviews and hope you get a spot, and it's good that you're being proactive and calling. But 3 IVs does not (yet) equal a match or prematch.

No matter what specialty one attempts to scramble in, as a foreign grad, with a failure, a person will find the Scramble a very, very difficult process. I really can't emphasize that enough.

[Ubuntu]

what do people do if they dont match/scramble? Obviously they will re apply the following year...but thats a year of 200,000+ in debt and no job...I've heard taking step 3 and research..but what are some more options?

[citizenimg]

You are the exception and not the rule.

Congratulations on your interviews. USMLE scores obviously are not the major factor in what kind of doctor a person is going to be but are (perhaps unfortunately?) a big determinant in the residency process. I wish you all the best of luck in your interviews and hope you get a spot, and it's good that you're being proactive and calling. But 3 IVs does not (yet) equal a match or prematch.

No matter what specialty one attempts to scramble in, as a foreign grad, with a failure, a person will find the Scramble a very, very difficult process. I really can't emphasize that enough.

Yep, fully aware that I am an exception, just pointing out that anything is possible, and if you don't try, you don't know.
I also realize that I am in no way guaranteed a match, but will keep everyone posted as to if and when I do!

[LqdPls]

.....If I can't successfully scramble into family med, are there many FM residencies that will take us between March-July ??

i really don't want to sit out for one year

The answer is yes, and there are 2 services that are available. The first is through AAMC, or aka "FindAResident" program. The cost is 50$ to set up an account and most of your information will be transferred from ERAS directly based on your AAMC ID. The other service is residentswap.org, which is used by prospective PGY-1 applicants, and current residents/ interns who are trying to cross into other programs and/or specialties. From what I have heard the residentswap.org service is more expensive, but quite active, with the majority of openings posted during the months of July and August. The announcements go directly to your e-mail.

[rokshana]

Just to give you a little perspective. I'm a US Citizen, AUC, step 1, 80 (4 attempts!!!) Step 2 80 (1 Attempt) and even I have 3 interviews so far this season. 2 Psych and 1 FM. Seems FM is actually being more selective, but I did make my application pretty psych oriented so that is probably showing through. I was the only male at my previous interview, so wondering if being a male interested in psych is having any benefit.
About to start calling programs and begging for more interviews....:) so will see what happens.

All I am saying is, don't give up hope, anything is possible. It just gets harder when you have failures.


that fail in CS is gonna hurt....

[citizenimg]

that fail in CS is gonna hurt....

Really? No way!