Miracle Match!- One interview, late application, CS attempt!

From a USMLEsarthi student who wishes to remain anonymous

This is my complete experience.  I hope it helps. Just in case you want to know why I called it a ‘miracle match’ it is because, I matched in Internal Medicine with the following:
One interview
Late application (Oct 15)
CS attempt
CS pass result (in late January)
 
So read on!
 
After completing my Step 2 CK in April 2019. I was confident that I will match in upcoming match 2020. Little did I know that I was so misinformed. My step 1 scores ate – 222, step 2 CK – 223 and green card holder. After completing my CK. I was planning to gain clinical knowledge in upcoming months. I was so confident (overconfident) that I will match. Because, I looked thorough 2019 Match data and compared my profile with matched candidates.
 
And during the same time, I heard about USMLE Sarthi and their success stories. And I joined USMLE Sarthi in April 2019. And now when I look back, I don’t regret that.
 
Then in April I joined private clinic to gain clinical knowledge which also helped me during my CS exam. After that I completed 2 more months of clinical knowledge at 2 different places – 1 Inpatient hospital (where I was literally on my toes) and 1 cardiology clinic. After gaining sufficient clinical knowledge. I started preparing for step 2 CS in September of 2019. And by that time, I came to realize that with my scores and without CS results before 15 sept 2019, I do not have strong enough profile to even land me an interview.
 
I applied on October 15th 

​Initially I decided not to apply for 2019 Match. And I told that to Pawan- USMLEsarthi's Chief Advisor. He scolded me for that decision of mine and inspired me to apply without thinking of outcome. I applied to 150 programs all over US after review programs cutoff scores on 15th October. During all this time, I gained lot of details of match from Sarthi Telegram group and their classes and from the panelists.
 
But I still had to clear CS
 
I joined CS classes in Chicago after completing my CS exam in September.
I joined volunteer research position in October at one institution where they had internal medicine residency. After working for 2 months, I asked for an interview at that institution. They told me, they’ll give me an interview once I receive my CS score. And on 11th December 2019 I received my CS score – “FAIL”. I could not believe my eyes. I was literally shaken by the fact, that I failed CS. There were lot of things going on my mind. How can I fail ? especially when I taught other students what to do on CS exam and they “PASSED” . I just could not believe that, I failed in “SEP” portion just by one star. But, fail is fail. Doesn’t matter if you fail by 1 point or 100. Now, I lost all hopes to get even one single interview.

CS failure devastated me, but I picked myself up.
 
I cried a lot the day I failed CS BUT on the same day I registered for the exam when I received my results. I drove back to Chicago and started preparing for my exam. I wanted to review CS prep material again before I take exam. So, I called several CS courses and most of them are either full or closed because of Christmas vacation. Finally I found 1 course in Atlanta and that was also a last course of the year. Which was starting the very next day, I reached Chicago. I immediately paid for the course, booked the ticket and left for Atlanta in the afternoon. Even while traveling, I was reading for CS. And from next day I started classes for 3 days.”

I managed to get the CS date for December 20th
I was numb after exam. Had the same feelings which I had during the first time. I was more nervous now, thinking If I do not pass second time, I might have to quit my USMLE journey. And now, I was thinking different ways to go on with my life. I already started thinking I am failing again and I have to change career now. I was listening to different business podcast, thinking to start business and joining MBA school. I went back to my research position.
 
Then I got the only interview of the season!
I didn’t stop working hard. I was managing all the research projects very well and managing the other office work as well so gracefully and in timely manner. And because of that program director was impressed with management skills.  And he offered me an interview.
 
I had been preparing for the interviews since October
All I had was this one interview.  That’s what I needed. Even though, I I applied late, had an attempt on CS, I was preparing for interviews since October 2019 with the Sarthi team. I was keep on practicing interview questions and I also got help from Sarthi team as well regarding what and what not to do during interview and how to ace the interview.
I had mock interview with one of the panelists of Sarthi named Dr. Htun. During mock interview I was so confident that I portrayed myself overconfident, unintentionally. She told me many things, which I was doing correct and incorrect. After that, I improved upon my mistakes. Which were game changers for me.
 
After interview, I received my CS score on 29th January – “passed”. I was totally shocked and I was thinking to myself that – thank God, I did not waste much time crying about my previous result. And now, I was waiting for match day. Again, I was thinking logically that, my chance of matching with 1 interview was almost zero. And when match day came, to my surprise.  I matched.

​I had matched!!
One interview!
Late application (Oct 15)
CS attempt
CS pass result (Late Jan of the match year)

 
Moral of the story :

1. Do not give up.
2. Always seek answer from your seniors or who have been through match. People who have been through match, they know much more about match than anyone else.
3. Wherever you go, give your 100%. You know never know when your hard work will payoff. Nobody knows how to do research when they start. Read research papers, email hundreds of doctor to participate in their research. Search for research positions.
4. Knock on all the doors you can. You never know, which door will open for you.

 
Wish you Good luck for your journey!