How I overcame the challenges I faced in my USMLE Journey?

I am an old graduate. I graduated in 2016. I started my journey of USMLE after I graduated. For the USMLE steps, I used mainly U-World and First aid for Step 1 and took about 7 months of preparation. For Step 2 CK and CS I used U-world only. I also completed Step 3 before my match cycle.

Longitudinal patient relationships — where I build trust with a patient, and follow up with them over the years — is the reason why I chose Internal Medicine.

I moved to the USA in 2018. Since then I worked in research and later pursued a research fellowship in California. My research helped me boost my application and I look forward to utilizing the knowledge I gained from research in educating my patients. 

Some of the challenges I faced were lack of friends/network who could help me get rotations or could vouch for me. To overcome my challenges, I used email to reach out to people and it ALWAYS ALWAYS  worked. Be it was to find research positions in one of the top universities, find clinical rotations or to get interviews. 

I joined Sarthi a few months before the match, and I am glad I did it. The interview classes are GOLD and they helped me tell my story in a very concise and cohesive manner which really impressed the interviewers.

Few tips for other students:

• Connect, Connect, connect: If you have family/friends, get in touch with them and take their help. Networking is one of the most important keys. If you don’t have connections, then make new ones.
• Emailing: Emails help, no matter how silly it may sound or how many go answered, just keep emailing people and someone will respond. All you need is that one residency spot.​
• Stay Focused: The journey could be long for some people (like me) but if you are determined to get it, then it will come. There will be dark days, but you will see light at the end of the tunnel.

Sarthi Service I took:
Interview classes prep

I would recommend Sarthi for USMLE Journey.

​-Poonam Rao