Sharing Your Struggles
- US IMG
- Step 1: 200 [Fourth Attempt]
- Step 2CK : 223 [Second Attempt]
- Step 2CS : Pass
- Step 3 : 201
- YOG : 2014
- Three prior attempts at Matching
Here's an inspirational story about an IMG who got her opportunity by being open and sharing her struggles.
Hi Dr Barone...
I took your Kaplan course back in 2010.. I had 4 attempts on step 1, 2 on ck, no attempts on cs and step 3. I matched in family medicine this year! Thank you for your help. I would love to share my story on your website.
C.S. March 24, 2020
Dr. Barone: Congratulations!!! With all of your struggles most people would have given up.... how did you keep going during the dark times?
Thank you! Yes I wanted to give up many times but I always knew I would be a great doctor. I fought cancer twice in my life and I would love to be an inspiration to my patients. My last battle was in 2016 where I had breast cancer. That’s where I really wanted to give up but with the support of my husband and friends I kept going.
Dr. Barone: What was the secret of matching for you?
No secrets in matching. I did research for 3 years, published and did an oral presentation at a conference and did not match for 3 years. I met the department chair of my program at a symposium and I was honest with him. I emailed him my resume and he offered me an interview. I let all the interviewers know my struggles for matching and I matched there. Some programs just want genuine people who have a story and have struggled. I was one of them.
Dr. Barone: What advice would you give to students who are struggling?
- My advice to people is if you truly believe in your dream keep trying and it will come true.
- Also passing step 3 on the first attempt helped a lot as that showed the program that I can pass the specialty boards.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema (Unsplash.com)