Medical Student in Dire Need of Advice...

[trex257]

To all on the forum, please forgive me for the lengthy message, but my situation is quite advanced and there is really no other way to go about describing it.

I attended a College of Medicine in Tennessee. I began school in August of 2002, and essentially finished in 2007. The reason for taking 5 years instead of 4 is that I needed to take a leave of abscence due to health issues (I had to undergo back surgery). However, I was unable to graduate with my medical degree from UT because I did not pass the second step of the medical boards. I actually missed passing by 6 points. Now, this requires some background eplanation so please bare with me.

I have never been one to perform well on standardized tests but I always did well in school and made excellent grades and my record at UT was no different. However, I took Step 2 CK of the USMLE exam 4 or 5 times and did not pass. I was going through some tremendous personal issues at the time including a divorce and other family problems. Due to not passing the boards and receiving a grade of an "F" in my final 1 week clerkship, I was essentially forced to withdraw from my medical school without the ability to appeal the withdrawal or any type of say in the matter. It was either withdraw or be expelled and lose the chance to ever be in good standing with a medical school again (or so I was told). So I took the former. I received the faling grade in my final clerkship because I didn't turn in a signed form by a resident saying that I received a grade of "A" for the clerkship. The reason I didn't turn the form in is because I had failed the boards and was literally fighting with my ex-wife over divorce related issues. I feel into a depression and remained there for a few years.

However, after my withdrawal, the medical school enacted a policy that a student has to have completed the curriculum within 6 years from starting medical school. I have been trying to find a way to get the school to allow me to retake my final elective (which was only 1-2 weeks long), and was relatively insignficant. However, I was told that I would have to completely re-apply to medical school and given my record and because of the 6 year rule this wouldn't be possible. Now, I cannot retake the boards without being in medical school, and I cannot technically graduate medical school without passing the boards. Furthermore, I will have to go back and retake all of the USMLE exams for medical school since there is a time limit there, but I don't mind this. However, since I was admitted to school and withdrew BEFORE the 6 year completion policy was enacted, and because my grades were A's and B's throughout my entire medical school career (with the exception of the one course), I hoped to be at least be allowed the chance to retake the elective since the new rule should not apply to me.

I have contacted numerous officials at the medical school all the way to the Chancellor of the medical school and have gotten no real cooperation. I currently work for a physician as a physician's assistant and feel that I should at least have the chance to finish school and hopefully retake the boards. Though I did not pass the second step of the boards, I did pass the first step and the clinical skills portion without issue. In addition to all of this, I have also contacted other medical schools in my state and encountered similar difficulties.

If anyone could give any advice regarding my situation I would greatly appreciate it. I am entertaining going to Caribbean medical schools (but they are more expensive than most US schools). Also, I entertained going to a DO school, but again, I would have to go through another four year program. If anyone has gone through a simliar situation I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you for your time in reading my post.

Sincerely,

trex

[rokshana]

get a lawyer and have him approach the officials of your school.

but why 5 yrs later?

[trex257]

I already did get a lawyer and there is nothing I can do. The medical school's policy is pretty much iron clad. I didn't adhere to their poilicies even though they changed the policies after I left. The reason I waited so long is because I fell into a deep depression after all of this happened. I went through a very difficult divorce which left me financially and emotionally broken. Furthermore, I was trying to re-evaluate whether or not I still wanted to be a doctor. On top of all of this, my financial situation is very bad. I have exhausted all of my financial aid options in the US with the FAFSA type program. Not only will my former medical school not alow me back in to finish the one clerkship, or even put me in good standing which would help me get into other medical school, but like I said, I am broke and I don't know what to do. Like I said, I did get a lawyer, but there isn't much I can do shy of contacting a ton of medical schools to see if they would let me in, and even if that happens, the money situation is an issues. Any ideas about what to do with this situation? Thanks again.

[mdmb8857]

wow, my apologies

[devildoc8404]

I am sure that you could find a Carib school that would allow you to finish there, but you would likely have to complete a significant portion of medical school again. Probably clinicals, at least. It appears that UT is out of the question, so it might be time to forget about that place -- I am shocked at the way they handled your situation based on what you have written, but US medical schools are not always the best at managing stuff like that (based on my personal experience... different, but similar in some ways).

Assuming the depression issues are now under control, and assuming you still want to be a physician, find the best Carib medical school you can (one that has student loans, etc., since you mentioned money was an issue), and finish this off. You are almost there, and you don't need to be beating yourself down any further. Do it NOW, though, because the match for foreign grads is only getting tougher over the coming years. I wish you success. You are coming from a US medical school, with good grades and a passing score on Step 1... I'm sure that you will find a school. Good luck.

[veeday]

Dear Trex,
It takes one to know one...I am not exactly in your shoes but some what in a similar situation. Life is extremely cruel. So I would have PM'd you but apparently I cannot. So This is what I have in mind for you:
1) You say you got a lawyer and there was nothing he could do. Seems to me that you hired a pretty bad lawyer at that. You have evidence right there in your post. You were depressed. You were going through a divorce. Is there any proof of all that mental torture you went through? If yes then take a deep breath and start looking for a better lawyer who would take that into consideration. (if your lawyer didn't already)

2) You have completed your med school upto your final year but just because your medical school internal board exam crap you have been made to suffer. Am I right? correct me if I am wrong. Do you have all your transcripts with you? Proof of all other years that were successful? if Yes, and if the lawyer perspective does not work out then you can apply to places that would take transfer students. You say you have a character of good standing certificate or something , that was a smart move at the time, because they were all in to screw with your future in any case so you did something right. To transfer into another medical school you need your old transcripts and proof of ''NO objection Certificate" this certificate is also called certificate of good standing in some countries.

3) You are low on finances. No worries. Everyone is these days. I have been living off my fathers money and it is killing me inside but we are not talking about 'me' right now. No money, first find out as to what step you will be taking. Calculate. Keep healthy and focus. Your divorce was a slap in the face and it is time you pull up your socks and actually make a difference. You say you are a Prof's assistant? Keep that job. Until you are dead sure as to what you'll be doing. Make a plan. Even if it means to 'draw it on paper' stick on a wall somewhere to remind you that time lost was all 'MEANT TO BE'. But what you do with your future is 'upto you'.

4) You writing in this forum was your first step. I am surprised you didn't take any professional help. or maybe you did. Holler back and answer in detail. I am genuinely interested in pulling you out of this 'bullocks of a tunnel'.

God bless you and may He guide you to the straight path. InshaAllah.

[dshrrr]

Guys PLEASE this is not about flame wars, it's about residency seats and potential expansions that are CRUCIAL to all caribbean med students.

[devildoc8404]

Um... what "flame wars?"

This is a perfectly legitimate thread, with fairly supportive advice being proffered to someone in a tough spot. I see nothing at all inappropriate, here.

(And FWIW, VMD is about far more than "residency seats and potential expansions" for Carib medical students. For one thing, we aren't all Carib students. For another, there's a ton of additional information about medical schools, USMLE prep, interviewing, match application, and a host of other related topics. Feel free to have a peek around.)

[october]

Sorry to hear your ordeal. Nobody is perfect. We are all only human. Does "the americans with disabilities act" come into play? Don't be shy or ashamed about what happened. It can and does happen to the best of us.

If memory serves me correct, a surgery director at NY Hospital (Cornell) jumped out a window and killed himself. Thats someone that must have had high powered credentials.

If it were me, I would approach an entity such as dateline NBC. As long as a doctor can clear you as being Ok (depression ok/ under control), should help. Sucks after paying US tuition, after being good enough to get in.

[island86]

I agree with October - It definitely seems like you should take this to the next level...i mean i know its gotta be so stressful to keep living the same nightmare but you have to get justice, otherwise you wont ever be at peace...and if you got into a us med school the first time around, dont sell yourself short by settling on a carib school...stand tall bro