Be Stubborn and Be Patient

Be Stubborn and be Patient

• Step 1 : 208 (Fifth attempt)
• Step 2 CK : 219 (first attempt)
• Step 2 CS : Pass (first attempt)
• GAP since graduation: 11-Years
• US IMG
• Sixth attempt at matching
• Number of interviews: 2

How easy would it be to give up on your dreams of matching when you have 5 attempts on step 1, low board scores, an 11-year gap and 5 failed attempts at matching? How many of us would have continued to work for something that is against all odds? Here's a story of a US IMG that would not be denied because he was stubborn and patient!

Dear Dr. Barone,

So to add to our previous conversations, and my story of success. My summary : Old graduate (11 years), IMG, 5 attempts at step 1, 1 published article. I looked for rotations in hospitals around the country, got rejected from all, but I found one in Puerto Rico, rotated there, did well but did not get an interview.

The following year I rotated in another hospital in Puerto Rico and applied to their non-ACGME accredited internship. After 4 months of rotations, attending morning reports, and eventually giving a class on abdominal compartment syndrome I was able to impress the program director and I was accepted into their non-ACGME accredited internship!  I worked and studied really hard and tried to excel in all rotations. At the end of the year, I was awarded "intern of the year"!

I also was able to get rotations in ACGME accredited residencies through my attendings who also worked in those hospitals. I rotated there, impressed the attendings at those programs and made friends with the residents. Very competitive and it was very emotionally exhausting, but I knew that being stubborn and patient would help me eventually. It also helped that I teach everyone everything I learn. I believe medicine belongs to the world and not just me. The new interns in my hospital call me their big brother.

But I felt like all hope was lost, I had applied for 5 straight years without success and my application was more or less the same, I told my wife that this would be the last time I was going to apply.   I applied to 10 programs in Family medicine, including the programs where I rotated.   I got 2 interviews and both were in those same hospitals I rotated at and tried to impressed!!!   At the end of the year, I got an offer for prematch in both programs!!!!

Be stubborn and be patient.

- P. R. March 14, 2018

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