Dear Friends;

I got my Step 3 score.
Its a lot less than what I expected...

90[215]

Should I be happy about this score and cherish?

Im an IMG.
I tried to match for 2011 season.
Didnt match.
Didint have step 3 score then.

I thought - with good step 3 score I can be more comfortable this year...but Alas!

I Dont have any US clinical expe..
Can someone please guide me for some useful observership/research expe?


One more point-
I was in US last year for 5 months. For CS and Step 3 and Interview season. Returned March 31st...
so it will be tough to get back before July
[due to I - 94 policies...which are not definite rules...!]
[only IMGs will understand this!]

And Any US LoR or experience has to be shown/submited to ERAS before September 1....

So how to get both things done?


Please guide me.
Tell me if I should try to match for
Internal Medicine [My choice]
or go for
Pediatrics / Family Medicine?

And whether I should try to match at all !!!

Really need some Guidance...
some moral support too!

Congrats on your results.got my CSresult and i passed .all your hints was really helpful.pls what textbook did you study with for your step3.is it MTB or FA.PLS HELP.all the very best to everyone.

I read -
FA , Crush, Kaplan and MTB

Solved-
Lange Qbook Kaplan Qbook
Kaplan Online Qbank
UW online Q bank

My Advice-

MTB+ Kaplan Qbank+ UW Qbank.

Rest is upto you.
Lange Qbook>Crush>=Kaplan>Kaplan Qbook> FA

Akak sorry to hear you didn't match.

I think you should look for observerships in private clinics or hospitals. Make a list of the doctors around the area where you stay in the US and send them letters explaining your situation and why you need an observership. Be honest with them tell them about your match attempt and everything.

There are IMGs working all over the country somebody will help you!!
I did an observership in September for four weeks and then I sent my application. I got 2 US LoR with that observership and I matched.

It is a good idea to apply to other specialties. In case that you match in a specialty you don't like you can reapply to the match for the specialty you want the next year.

i have a question.....you said lange qbook; i don't know if it's the same one but i have 'Lange Q&A USMLE step 3' by Donald A. Briscoe.....is this the same book with what you are recomanding or you have another one; if are the same, how good is this book? i am kinda between 2 books and really don't know which one to do(the other one is NMS but i don't remember the author).....thanks for your help.

Thank you all for your support.
I feel a bit good now.

Lange Qbook Yes thats the one.

I have never used NMS series but I think
if you have to choose betwen the two..
use LANGE.

if NMS is not a Qbook and its a book like FA/MTB...with NOTES..
reading notes is better as u'd be doing some good online Qbank like UW> kaplan...

hope this helps.


can someone suggest places for observership?
or net sites where I can find?