Stick to your Guns
- US D.O. Student
- Step 1 : 186
- Step 2CK : 220
- COMLEX Level 1 : 501
- COMLEX Level 2 : 493
Here's the success story of a US Osteopathic student (DO) who failed the USMLE step 1 and was told by her advisor to give up on her desired specialty but she “stuck to her guns” and matched in Emergency Medicine!
Hi Dr. Barone!
I saw your post about wanting success stories so I figured I'd share mine. The first thing about me is that I switched careers. My degree is in hotel management. I spent a good chunk of time working in hotels before I decided to return to school to fulfill my lifelong dream so I'm about ten years older than most of my classmates. Getting your brain back into school mode is a challenge in itself. I did average in my classes, average on Comlex 1 and 2 but the thorn in my side was my USMLE Step 1 failure: 186.
I signed up for both USMLE and COMLEX because I figured I needed to with the merger. Assessments told me I'd most likely fail it but my ego caused me to forge ahead and still take the exam.
A faculty member at my school told me I should consider just applying FM since EM is so competitive and I basically ruined my chances with the failure. That didn't fly with me. I worked hard, changed my strategy and managed to pull out a 220 on Step 2.
I chose to report all of my scores on ERAS because I decided not to hide it and face it head on. After all, as physicians we have to take responsibility for our actions and not sweep errors under the rug, right? I asked you for advice and I'm took in what you had to say (see our prior messages). I set up the max number of auditions my schedule could allow (5) and focused on “DO friendly programs”.
Even with that, I got minimal interview invites: 5 from the places I auditioned and 3 more by reaching out directly to programs. So I had to work for even those 8 I got. Most of those addressed the failure in the interview to which I replied: “I understand some measure is needed to gauge students and weed some out but with all the hard work I've put in over the last 8 years I refuse to be reduced to 'one number from one day'. I know what I bring to the table and any program that can't see that isn't the right one for me anyway.”
So fast-forward to now, a few days post-match, where I couldn't be happier because I ended up matching at my #1 EM program! So never give up, keep fighting for what you want and don't let anyone knock you down. In most instances, you can find a way to achieve what you want.
Dr. Barone: I'm so glad that you didn't listen to that advisor and keep the faith alive!
I am also glad I did not listen to him. What was most disheartening about it is that I expressed my absolute love for EM and he quickly dismissed it. What a good advisor would do is say, OK this is your situation, how can we make it work from here? Actually a second advisor after that first one did do that, said similar things that you told me, like facetime will be important, etc. Now that's helpful. Although I do realize there are times when it's necessary to hang it up and be honest with yourself but I wasn't yet in that category. So yes, your advice was helpful and also just your general positivity and encouragement you send out to us!
Dr. Barone: What advice would you give others students who find themselves in similiar circumstances?
My advice for other students is to stick to your guns! If you really love a specialty, find people to turn to who will support you and help you reach that goal with good advice.
Never be afraid to use your resources. If you know attendings or residents at programs, reach out to them. Programs you're interested in but don't know anyone-send an email to the program coordinator and express your interest with a personalized note stating features of their program and your connection to the geographic area. Building relationships is so key.
Also, just be yourself! People loved talking about my prior experiences and personal interests. Let your good attributes shine because if PDs see you're someone who is genuine, fits into the culture and is teachable, that can most certainly weigh heavier than poor board scores.
Finally, get as many auditions as possible then work your butt off!!
G. L. March 30, 2020
Photo by Martijn Hendrikx