- Joined
- Feb 7, 2009
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 5
Hello, long time lurker first time poster. I have quite an unusual background and training path and would greatly appreciate feedback on my prospects for interviews this year.
I graduated from a low-mid tier allopathic medical school in the US roughly 5 years ago. I had an undiagnosed/untreated mood disorder throughout medical school that interfered with my performance as evidenced by a failed 2nd year, failed attempts at step 1, and having to retake around 3 3rd year shelf exams.
USMLE step 1: 201 (3rd attempt); USMLE step 2 ck: 203 (1st attempt);CS: passed (1st attempt).
However, received honors on my home institution’s PM&R rotation, and a HP on an away elective rotation.
I did not match as an MS4 applicant, but also was unable to really apply to any programs (complicated story; due to my health at the time). Right after medschool I completed a postdoctoral clinical research program in PM&R, which initially went well, but subsequently went poorly due to an exacerbation of my (still undiagnosed, untreated) disorder.
After finally getting properly diagnosed, I took a year off to receive full time treatment, which was eventually successful. Since then, I have completed a couple of very productive years as a postdoctoral research fellow in PM&R-related research, including more than 10 publications, many of them 1st author in high level journals, more than 10 posters, and 10 oral presentations.
In summary:
Cons: low board scores, history of failures in medschool, several years since graduation, history of illness
Pros: outstanding research (both in quantity and quality), clear and un-wavering passion and interest in the field, prior failures are explainable by a single issue that has been fully addressed, good grades in PM&R rotations, US graduate, strong LORs, was able to maintain clinical experience and skills after graduation (reflected in my LORs), and resilience to both overcome adversity and advance my training.
I’m literally the stereotypical person who eats, sleeps, and drinks PM&R, and am passionate about developing a career as an academic clinician and researcher. I have strong LORs from attending physiatrists from my medical school and current postdoctoral institutions, and am confident in my ability to convey my interest and capabilities during an interview. My primary questions is will the complexity of my background come through and be considered, or will most programs likely filter me out from interview invites based on my red flags? My ‘home’ institutions know me well and know my abilities. I am taking a conservative approach by applying to all programs, and am genuinely interested in just about every program out there. I’m just curious to hear the thoughts of some of the experienced people out there.
Thanks very much.
I graduated from a low-mid tier allopathic medical school in the US roughly 5 years ago. I had an undiagnosed/untreated mood disorder throughout medical school that interfered with my performance as evidenced by a failed 2nd year, failed attempts at step 1, and having to retake around 3 3rd year shelf exams.
USMLE step 1: 201 (3rd attempt); USMLE step 2 ck: 203 (1st attempt);CS: passed (1st attempt).
However, received honors on my home institution’s PM&R rotation, and a HP on an away elective rotation.
I did not match as an MS4 applicant, but also was unable to really apply to any programs (complicated story; due to my health at the time). Right after medschool I completed a postdoctoral clinical research program in PM&R, which initially went well, but subsequently went poorly due to an exacerbation of my (still undiagnosed, untreated) disorder.
After finally getting properly diagnosed, I took a year off to receive full time treatment, which was eventually successful. Since then, I have completed a couple of very productive years as a postdoctoral research fellow in PM&R-related research, including more than 10 publications, many of them 1st author in high level journals, more than 10 posters, and 10 oral presentations.
In summary:
Cons: low board scores, history of failures in medschool, several years since graduation, history of illness
Pros: outstanding research (both in quantity and quality), clear and un-wavering passion and interest in the field, prior failures are explainable by a single issue that has been fully addressed, good grades in PM&R rotations, US graduate, strong LORs, was able to maintain clinical experience and skills after graduation (reflected in my LORs), and resilience to both overcome adversity and advance my training.
I’m literally the stereotypical person who eats, sleeps, and drinks PM&R, and am passionate about developing a career as an academic clinician and researcher. I have strong LORs from attending physiatrists from my medical school and current postdoctoral institutions, and am confident in my ability to convey my interest and capabilities during an interview. My primary questions is will the complexity of my background come through and be considered, or will most programs likely filter me out from interview invites based on my red flags? My ‘home’ institutions know me well and know my abilities. I am taking a conservative approach by applying to all programs, and am genuinely interested in just about every program out there. I’m just curious to hear the thoughts of some of the experienced people out there.
Thanks very much.