Re: step2 cs
TheOne - 05-01-08 14:04

Congrats zahoor!! You have what it needs to be an excellent candidate for the upcoming match season. You need to use one of the following books to prepare for your CS test:

1) First Aid for USMLE Step 2 CS.
2) Kaplan USMLE Step 2 CS preparation.
3) USMLEWORLD.com preparation for Step 2 CS.

You also need to have a thorough look on our threads and posts as we have been discussing this issue for a while. GL

Re: step2 cs
radhamesramos - 05-02-08 22:49

Totally agree and congratulations! Hope you match next year

Re: step2 cs to..
zahoor - 05-10-08 08:18

thanks ," the one" and "radhamesramos" for ur reply , i have started my preparation for step2cs and m now practicing with my friend doctors, i m improving a lot in gaining confidence.
Since i m an IMG ,(BELONGS TO PAKISTAN) m facing a little problem with my spoken english, but even that i m sure have been overcome.
My visa has been approved, and i may cum over to the us , in June , and shall appear in that same month in My CS exam , so pray for me.
Now plz tell me the real scenario , that with 99 in step 1 and 90 in step 2 , as an IMG may i have the chance to get matched?
Regards

Re: step2 cs
TheOne - 05-11-08 02:34



Simply, You will have a great chance!!

Re: step2 cs
radhamesramos - 05-11-08 18:48



If you apply carefully (programs that might take you), you will get matched. If you happen to pass step 3 before the match, you will be matched almost for sure

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 05-16-08 05:23

Tanks a lot for that piece of information so i must preapre for the step 3, and that is awhat i m doing , along with my cs preparation

Re: step2 cs
radhamesramos - 05-16-08 09:08

...Another extra help would be an observership. but since you are so busy with all these exams, that can wait since your grades are so good. But, beware what programs and specialties you apply to, and that is basically it

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 05-20-08 03:47

i would like to apply for residency in Surgery , and better if at a university programme

Re: step2 cs
radhamesramos - 05-20-08 10:04

For surgery, I recommend you to do an observership first, because they want definitely some USCE. There are two programs that offer observerships, and grant you an interview if already there, but only for preliminary: University of Miami and University Texas-Houston, the latter can keep you as a categorical after a couple of years. Also there is Jacobi hospital (affiliated to Albert Einstein, NY) that could give you a prematch with those scores. Also try St. Vincent, New York (community), and Howard university

Re: step2 cs
dr_ryha - 05-21-08 08:42

hi zahoor!
congrats....since u have done v well in ur step 1,i wish to seek ur advice abt studying schedule and material u used for it...as iv just started my prep of step 1,and want to take it in dec,i d appreciate ur help,GL for ur next exam

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 06-02-08 03:15

thank u very radhames: for ur advise , i really appreciated it , and sorry for checking it that late .Radhames: let me know you that i m working as a faculty member in a government sector medical school in my country , and have teaching experience in basic medical sciences of more than one year . Is this going to help me out.
Regards

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 06-02-08 03:21

dr_ryha, thanks u very much.
I used only the Kaplan step1 review books, and also watched carefully the step1 kaplan's dvds (only physiology , biochemistry and behavioral sciences). I also listened to Goljan's pathology, and lemme tell u that for patholgy i did not used kaplan, but BRS, but i advise if u can combine the goljan with kaplan for patholgy that works alot becouse the BRS pathology is quite extensive and time consuming, and goljan covers almost all those concepts that are there in BRS.
Wish u GL.
I shall be pleased if i could help u any more.

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 06-02-08 03:23

Dear radhamesramos , you also mentioned Harvard university for me, so is that a good possibility to get into there.

Re: step2 cs
TheOne - 06-02-08 03:51



That would help.. But let me be clear with one point, being an FMG puts lotsa obstacles on the way. You're aiming for Surgery which is hard to get, except for prelim positions, so this is the first challenge. Now I read you're trying for Harvard, 2nd and much much bigger challenge.

Before you think that I'm discouraging you let me tell you that everything is possible with consistancy, hardworking and sacrifice.
My advice, finish all the steps including step 3 with the same powerful start; Get US clinical experience by joinig a research study, since you're aiming for a university program, and publish some papers. While doing all this you will meet new and important individuals who may have a jump-start effect on your career and future.

Staying in your home country won't help much even if you stay active. GL

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 06-03-08 00:33

THANKS THE ONE , YOUR REALISTIC REPLY IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HEAR BUT ENCOURAGING. Dear let me tell you that in my home country (Pakistan) i have two publications and i m trying to get more .Will they help me, one of the journal is WHO recognised.
Dear i m trying to get to US but my security clearance is pending,. When i shall get that i shall come over to US. And shall start my struggle. Thanks once again.

Re: step2 cs
TheOne - 06-03-08 14:23



Any medical activity you do wherever in the world would be helpful. But as I wrote previously, when you arrive to te States and work hard to impress everyone, well, that what really counts. So Good Luck with that.

Re: step2 cs
zahoor - 06-04-08 00:59

Thank you very much the one, .
after i have searched about all the stuff about residency , i have come to know that i must do some research activity in US when i shall come.
But some of friends told me that if is tart collaboration right from now , about a slot in paid research, it shall help me.Any advise in this connection from you shall be appreciated, highly .Also if i can go thjrough some websites , and any deatais of IMG friendly university programms' list , where i should do research and then to get matched in the same hospital.
If you could give me such links , in Pennsylvania or New York, or in Ohio.
thanks

Re: step2 cs
bazeee - 06-05-08 03:01

If u get some USCE it will have more weight than research in my opinion

Re: step2 cs
TheOne - 06-05-08 04:50

Well, zahoor is tryong to get into a university program, for which research and publication will weigh more than oservership.