u/Dull_Scientist_8513

I had asked in this group before, a little background, I’m aiming for IM,FM this coming cycle ( want to be a hospitalist after residency or Geriatric fellow), so both programs work for me, passed step1 and 2 (24x) both on first attempt, GC holder, lived in California for 10 years, family tie in California, 20+ research paper and abstract at top tier journals (due to phd and postdoc training in the US), only red flag is my YOG (>8), 2 months USCE, trying to finalize my program lists now for both IM and FM, wondering if anyone with similar stats matched before can give me suggestions? Should I focus more on community programs or less competitive university programs outside of California? Definitely want to stay in the region due to family ties, but open to relocating if there are better opportunities. Thanks a lot!

Old IMG (YOG 8) looking for some realistic advice.
Background: after medical school I completed a PhD, then a postdoc in the US, and I’m currently working as a research scientist at a pharmaceutical company. No visa sponsor required.
Stats:
Step 1: Pass
Step 2 CK: 241
No attempts
20+ publications (7 first-author papers, mostly in journals with IF 8–20)
Two months USCE ( 1 hands on FM with a good LOR, 1 IM next month, and another 1 wk at a university hospital)
I’m not planning to pursue fellowship after residency—I want to practice as a general internist or family physician.
Given my older YOG and Step 2 score, would you recommend applying primarily to FM or do I still have a reasonable chance at IM. I was initially thinking my research background might make me more competitive at university-affiliated IM programs, but I’m wondering whether my YOG and Step 2 would make community programs a more realistic target.
I’d appreciate any honest advice, especially from people who have gone through the Match with a similar background.

Hi wondering if anyone can provide any lead on finding physicians to help with pathway 6, my usce won't start until next month and really want to get it done in July so I can take step3 sooner. All my primary care physicians rejected my request and I only knew one anesthesiologist in another state but not sure if he can help as he is not technically in the primary care field. Any suggestions will be so much appreciated!

Don’t feel a lot of HY stuff got tested on my form, a lot of ethics, micro, pulmonary, weird medications, skin stuff, overall the stems were not too lengthy and i was fine with time management, but feel so foggy afterwards, now I think I might only pass with a very low score or even a fail score (practice nbmes between 230-241, free120 77%), how is everyone doing after today’s exam?

6days out. took free120 today scored 77%, got a lot of the ethics qs wrong, which is very frustrating, don’t know how to study them, still have some HY ethics from amboss left to finish, just want to get insights on what else should I be checking out before my exam? Thank you very much

I took UWSA2 today and scored 230, which was pretty discouraging. My most recent NBME was NBME 14: 240 one week ago, so I was hoping I was on an upward trend.

My recent practice scores:

• NBME 9: 197 — 4 months ago
• NBME 10: 215 — 3.5 months ago
• NBME 11: 216 — 1 month ago
• NBME 12: 231 — 3 weeks ago
• NBME 13: 233 — 2 weeks ago
• NBME 14: 240 — 1 week ago
• UWSA2: 230 — today

I also recently did some of the newer CMS forms — IM 9/10, Surgery 9, Peds 9, OB 9 — and have been averaging 70%+. I finished my first pass of UWorld 5 months ago and completed one pass of incorrects about 2 months ago. Since then, I haven’t really touched UWorld and have mainly focused on NBMEs, CMS forms, and Amboss.

UWSA2 felt very different from the NBMEs in both wording and focus. The 20-question blocks also felt too short for pacing, which may have contributed.

My goal is 245+, but now I’m worried whether I can even make it to 240. My exam is in 16 days.

For those who had a similar UWSA2 drop close to test day, how predictive was it for you? Should I put more weight on my recent NBME trend or be concerned about UWSA2? Any suggestions for what to focus on in the last 2 weeks would be appreciated.

Hi everyone! I’ll be in Osaka next week for a few days and I’m hoping to find a place that offers kimono rental along with hair/makeup and photography services. I’d really appreciate any recommendations—thank you so much!