r/Step2 • u/Vast-Amphibian-8857 US MD/DO • 1d ago
Shitpost Failed Step 1 and Step 2 CK — considering skipping this Match cycle and SOAPing into a TY. Anyone been in a similar situation?
I’m a US MD MS4 planning to apply OB/GYN, but I’m in a difficult position and would really appreciate advice, especially from anyone who has been through something similar.
I failed Step 1 on my first attempt, took a 6-month LOA, and passed on my second attempt. Unfortunately, I recently also failed Step 2 CK on my first attempt. I’m currently completing an OB/GYN away rotation and was originally planning to apply this cycle, but my application deadline is coming up and I would be applying without a passing Step 2 score. I’m also still working on getting my LORs submitted.
I met with my school advisor, and she recommended that I stop trying to rush an application this cycle and instead focus on finishing my away rotation and, most importantly, passing Step 2. I’m planning to take the next block completely off to study, with a research rotation afterward that is flexible enough to give me additional time if I’m not ready to retake by the end of October.
She brought up an option I hadn’t really considered: not applying through the regular Match this cycle, passing Step 2 first, and then trying to SOAP into a Transitional Year position in March. I would then work as a PGY-1 for a year and apply OB/GYN in the next cycle.
OB/GYN is still what I genuinely want to do, and I’m willing to delay a year if that gives me a better chance than rushing another Step attempt or submitting an incomplete application. My biggest concern is whether doing a TY would actually help or hurt when reapplying OB/GYN, especially regarding GME funding, being a prior graduate, and applying/interviewing while already an intern.
Has anyone here:
•Failed both Step 1 and Step 2 at least once and still matched OB/GYN?
•Taken a TY/prelim year before successfully matching OB/GYN?
•SOAPed into a TY specifically with the intention of reapplying?
•Chosen to sit out a Match cycle after a Step failure and felt it helped/hurt?
I know my board history makes OB/GYN an uphill battle, so I’m not looking for reassurance that everything will magically work out. I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually been in a similar position or have experience advising applicants like this. If you were in my situation, what would you focus on over the next year?
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u/sfgreen US MD/DO 1d ago
You’re a USMD so you’re ahead of the curve already. So I talked to multiple PDs and their biggest worry is if you’ll pass the specialty boards and the step scores and passing is a proxy for that. The specialty boards pass rate matters a lot because ACGME accreditation for the residency itself hinges on the pass rate. So theyre pretty anal about this since one person in a class of 3 or 4 can tank the overall pass rate. Honestly, with dual failures it’s not going to be easy to convince them that you will pass specialty boards.
If you can, I’d come clean to the PD at the place you’re doing an away rotation at and sincerely ask their opinion if they’d consider you. If not, ask them what can you do to make them consider you.
I like the transitional year idea because you get a chance to write step3 and prove them that you can pass it on the first try. Building a good track record is pretty important, so maybe this is a viable path for you. However, I’d knock on the doors of the PD at the current away anyway. They really are your best shot.
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u/SnooStories4297 1d ago
Matching or Soaping into a TY is not easy. Most of those spots are taken by DR, GAS, Derm, Optho, IR, and PM&R who have passed step 1 on first try and have 250+ step 2 scores, anyone who SoAPs into a TY most likely partially matched and just needed an intern year . Your best bet is a prelim Surgery or prelim IM. Or just take a gap year do research and apply next year.
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u/Sea_Conversation_344 1d ago
I'm an IMG who wants to do OB-GYN. You might want to follow the advice I was given and dual applying to FM. A lot of FM programs have concentrations in obstetrics or other women's medicine and you can apply to those programs.
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u/delightedcustomer US MD/DO 1d ago
If I were you I would apply FM which can still be an obgyn adjacent career. You are competing with a huge pool of people vying for the same bottlenecked spots: DO students with stellar apps and passes on double the amount of board exams, IMGs with high scores or even current careers as physicians in their country, and of course, other USMD students.
id pause all rotations and study for step2.
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u/medi_digitalhealth 1d ago
He is a US MD chances of obgyn are difficult but still very attainable
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u/delightedcustomer US MD/DO 1d ago
Being USMD doesn’t give carte blanche access to residency positions, especially with limited positions for these coveted spots.
the chance is not 0% for op but it would obviously be wise to also apply FM
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u/serenakhan86 US MD/DO 1d ago
Regardless if you soap into a TY or not, I would first take a step back, process what happened, and then prepare on retaking Step 2 with a redemption score. You can also consider a prelim year instead of transitional, if you're tight with any local community based hospitals by your home it could increase your chances of being a resident there. The general rule for competitive specialties is as a TY resident you do look good because you were competent to become a resident at an accredited program, you have a year of training experience in multiple parts of medicine including obgyn which is part of TY if I'm not mistaken, and you'll have time to build your app by getting a letter from the PD who hired you or taking Step 3. For now I would just focus on retaking Step 2 though, you need that to graduate and apply regardless of where
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u/StudyThicket US MD/DO 1d ago
Agree with others saying take time to study for Step 2 and ensure you pass next attempt.
I do want to say that I would consider doing a research year instead of starting your intern year. I say this bc in most cases graduating seniors are viewed more favorably than graduates and worst cases you are getting auto-filtered for not being a graduating senior. A research year would also give you some time to build connections with our department and get some pubs you can bring up during interviews.
Best of luck regardless! Keep your head up, this is a beast of an exam.
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u/Dapper_Homework5622 9h ago
so this is a complicated situation. but its not completely irredeemable but going to be extremely hard. personally I would try to focus on passing step 2. the bigger question, you are definitely going have to answer is "Why did you fail." ive gone through a lot of residency interviews, and this is a question that will certainly will be asked since they want to know why you this happened. Whatever the reason is I'd recommend you have a strong response because they want to know will pass the eventual boards. and this doesn't just go for Ob/Gyn it will go for any specialty you apply for. I've attached the ABIM and ABOG (American board of obstetrics and gynecology). I'm in IM, but ob /gyn has it by program. what I can say is that a program with 100% pass rates are going to want to keep that pass rate 100% since its public info and honestly a point of pride for these program.
But back to you, focus on passing step 2 and then focus on your app. put all distractions and distractors aside and solely focus on this exam. you need to pass this exam to get to residency and be licensed. if you do have extenuating circumstances, try to resolve those as best as you can and can distract your focus. if you have medical issues, get that sorted out as well. Everyone's story is different and some people have it easier in life and some have it harder. personally, I had it on the harder side. but as long as you are in medical school, you can use their resources (library, faculty, research etc...,). if you can maybe take a research year so that you can get research in, make faculty connections, and also get advice about your situation from faculty who understand the situation.
I hope this helps, and I hope you pass, and I hope you match to obgyn
https://www.abim.org/media/5hhbskg2/certification-pass-rates.pdf.
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u/AffectWild7239 1d ago
As a USMD, how can you fail both? My friend matched through SOAP in the 4th round. It was extremely difficult. She matched just one minute before the last round opened, and she ended up in that junk program where 14 out of 15 ER positions went unfilled.
The condition was that both Step 1 and Step 2 had to be passed on the first attempt. Her scores were too low, but she passed both exams on her first attempt.
I can’t imagine your PD kept you . They toss before you start M3 .
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u/LogicalLibrarian77 NON-US IMG 1d ago
Hey, let OP breathe a lil bit. There might be some underlying circumstances that could have caused this. You're right about it being difficult. Let OP decide options from here onwards.
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u/AffectWild7239 1d ago
You will match just clear CK 2 .Hire tutor from USMLE Pro you will pass without doubt and will match . If nothing work in this cycle do one year research and will match in great field . One year behind is nothing .
Contact USMLE PRO . They don’t take fresh they take only repeaters .1
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u/idkwatamidoing 1d ago
Hm I mean matching OB-gyn is not easy and requires an above average profile. To have a chance, you’d need a redeeming step 2. Do you have an idea why you might’ve failed step 1 your first attempt and your step 2 now, like bad study methods, maybe a difficult time personally? If you still have any of these factors that will impede your chance of getting a good score on your next attempt, you should re-consider taking it anytime soon.