DH Failed Step 2 CS and I'm freaking out!

[SoonerTexan]

What are his options in his home country?

[EKG]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and encouragement.
We have spent the last couple days recalibrating.

Having spoken to his advisor, we will be going ahead with the 2014 match, and rescheduling CS as soon as possible (for now there's nothing available until Jan 2014!!!). We were told that it's not unprecedented for someone from DH's program to get a spot conditional upon passing CS. We are hoping for that. If he doesn't match this year, we'll be out a bunch of money, and will try again next year.

The logic being, that since everything on your record is visible anyway, you don't gain much by waiting, since they'll see you failed no matter when you apply. This way, at least there's a CHANCE of matching in 2014...

So, fingers crossed...

Trying now to keep both mine and his spirits up high enough to keep moving forward, and squash out all the self doubt that comes with failing (* should I quit? ; should I find another field? ; What's wrong with me? etc. etc.), and praying he passed CK.....

[MissCrabette]

No, he doesn't have to be ECFMG certified to get interviews. People who haven't graduated yet cannot be ECFMG certified. Programs sometimes get confused by the terms ECFMG certified versus ECFMG verified. Sadly, he is neither because he has a failed Step.

I see what you mean about programs seeing your entire record anyway. The difference is that in this case, if you apply on time and before he passes the retake, they will only see the failure. If you apply late, after the results come in (and it's probably really, really late for that anyway), you will miss out on a lot of interviews, like Cinderella mentioned.

I wish you nothing but the best of luck in the upcoming match, but I cannot help wondering if that time and money would be better spent trying to pursue something else for one year.

[Cinderella]

Oh yes sorry I forgot about those that haven't graduated yet and the difference between Certified and Verified. Verified being they haven't graduated yet and Certified being they have graduated from a medical school. Also sorry if I wasn't more clear about having the ECFMG verification/certification in regards to interviews vs. matching.

From the ECFMG website IMGs that haven't graduated yet have to be verified by the ROL deadline which is Feb. 26th next year. Otherwise they're withdrawn from the match.

must have passed all exams required for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®), and the results must be available by the rank order list deadline

That's verified not certified.

About the timing of taking CS that's why on the IMG forums they recommend taking the CS no later than Dec. 31st in order to get the results in time for the ROL deadline so the IMG can be certified/verified. Otherwise without Step 2 CS by the ROL deadline for the ECFMG certification/verification you're withdrawn from the match.

This year the match was pushed back by 2 weeks from September 1st to September 15th. I'm not sure how or if that affects the ROL deadline and Match date as well. If you have two extra weeks for the ROL deadline then taking the CS in early January may be an option. What did your adviser say about that?

With a low Step 1 score, a failed Step 2 CS score that needs to be retaken in time, and a pending Step 2 CK score whose results will come at least 10 days after the application start date, and whose diagnostics said barely passable prior to taking the exam and an acknowledgement that he may fail it then realistically and honestly I believe in that situation his application won't make the cut for interviews. Most of the interview spots will fill up too by the time the exam results come in.

I still recommend saving your money for the match and applying for the 2015 match REALLY widely next year. Add some research experience to his application to make up for the low scores and failed Step.

The odds are stacked against you guys but if you want to give it a chance and have the money or are willing to risk being out of a bunch of money I wish you guys well for this upcoming match and exams. He could possibly get a preliminary one year spot somewhere as a trial basis. (Fingers crossed for good luck though) If it doesn't work out this match I wish you well for the next match. And if worse comes to worse he doesn't have to be a doctor and he could still do other things. I think with one year of training in a preliminary spot he could work in Urgent care. That depends on insurance companies and how that works out in the future. He can also be a medical consultant, a researcher, or something health related.

[SoonerTexan]

Although on the other hand, if all of this will truly stop him from getting interviews, I guess then you are only out the application fees vs actual interview expenses. :/

Is there a stigma associated with going through the match a second time?

[Cinderella]

Although on the other hand, if all of this will truly stop him from getting interviews, I guess then you are only out the application fees vs actual interview expenses. :/

Is there a stigma associated with going through the match a second time?

As far as I know no, but from what I've read on here there is a stigma the longer you're out of school and not in the medical field. At least they have that going for them. In our case some have also said that they also consider the year the IMG took the Steps if they're older graduates. But really it's the Step scores and the immigration status that holds the keys to the kingdom.

[medlibrarian]

My husband failed Step II CK and we're also dealing with the aftermath... he hasn't taken CS yet. It's a nightmare. Totally understand. I cried and cried. Now we're just trying to figure out the next step and hope it didn't damage his chances too badly... I know as long as he takes it again and passes by December he'll graduate with the class, and, if he takes it again *soon* and passes it will show that it was likely a fluke/bad day and programs are more likely to be understanding... I think taking it again as quickly as possible (and as is reasonable -- he wants to do well, of course) is important. Hugs. -CL

[medlibrarian]

Also, apply broadly! We're thinking 100 programs for EM...

[EKG]

My husband failed Step II CK and we're also dealing with the aftermath... he hasn't taken CS yet. It's a nightmare. Totally understand. I cried and cried. Now we're just trying to figure out the next step and hope it didn't damage his chances too badly... I know as long as he takes it again and passes by December he'll graduate with the class, and, if he takes it again *soon* and passes it will show that it was likely a fluke/bad day and programs are more likely to be understanding... I think taking it again as quickly as possible (and as is reasonable -- he wants to do well, of course) is important. Hugs. -CL

I totally feel you. Hang in there.

We're waiting for CK scores, which will be the big determining factor. If he fails, we'll withdraw from the 2014 match. In the mean time, we're moving forward, and hoping a CS date opens up before January...

Also, I recommend that the 2 of you take some time and do something non-med-school related. Tensions were rising so high, and things were so stressful for us, that we just needed to take a couple hours to do something together outside the medical world. In our case, it was a short hike. But either way, so important to find a little escape so that the medical stuff doesn't completely overtake your relationship...

[metroguy]

probably a good idea to talk to an academic advisor.