How an IMG is slowly building her CV for matching in 2011

Experiences of Dr D K - Who says she will apply for the match only in 2011

The following are excerpts from a chat with Dr D K.Dr D K is an international medical graduate from Mumbai, India. She has the following USMLE scores,
Step 1: 92
Step 2 CK: 89
Step 2 CS: Failed on 1st attempt
Step 2 CS: Pass on 2nd attempt
Step 3: 99

She has now managed to get a fully funded research position in a reputed north eastern hospital. Welcome to residency-match.com Dr. D K and Congratulations on getting a research position.

First tell us did I miss something about you?

Thanks for having me here and have to say you have covered most of my qualifications.

How is the research position?

It has been a very good experience so far. The first few months were very slow, since I had to go through all these processes to get started. Being an IMG I had to get my visa sorted out and there was so much paper work to fill out. Now it has become normal routine and working and learning a lot.

What is your research about?

I cannot divulge too much details but I work for a renowned neurologist in North east. My research is actually for two members of the faculty here in this hospital. I help both the doctors in research.

So what exactly do you do?

Yes, for one doctor I collect data from several cases that were involved in a trail study. The study has been completed already and I joined them during later stages of the trails. We are now analyzing the data collected from those trails. The other one if about a specific neurological disorder, we are researching about this disorder and are planning to present a paper in an international conference soon.

Excellent, seems like you are doing some great work.

Oh yes, absolutely. In India I was more of a book worm and even though I worked in a couple of hospitals, this is a completely new experience. I am loving it.

Let's go to the preparation you did for USMLE. You have some great scores how did you prepare?

I wouldn't say I have great scores but good score. I also failed CS on first attempt.

First tell us how to prepare then we will go to CS debacle. We want to make sure we get all the knowledge from you.

Okay, I applied for match last year and did not get it. I started last January 2009 and took Step 1 then took CK in May 2009, CS first attempt was in July and second was in October, which was very late I think. I didn't have any US experience.

I am summarizing this for our community here, You took - Step 1: Jan 2009 Step 2 CK: May 2009 Step 2 CS (1): Jul 2009 Step 2 CS (2): Oct 2009

Yes.

Tell us about the CS first attempt.

I was very disappointed. I felt so down during that time. My family supported me so much and helped me move on. I come from a middle class family in India so it was very hard emotionally and financially, but I always knew I could study and take the exam again but felt bad for my dad who was burning all his money for me (laughs).

What do you think went wrong?

In my opinion I think I did well, but may be my communication was not good or they did not understand my accent. I am still not sure how I failed it, but CS is all about good communication and being loud and clear about what you ask and say.

so you took it the second time, was you preparation different this time?

I practiced more this time. I went to the Houston 15 days before the exam and shared a room with another doctor who was going to take CS soon. We kept practicing every day for each case.

What books did you use?

Quiet a few - First Aid, USMLE Step2 Secrets and took a lot of practice test in USMLE world and Kaplan. I can remember only these, since I used them the most.