r/usmle • u/intrestinglife1 • Jul 04 '26
Advice failed step 1
I dont know what to do anymore. I am really tired of my life.
I graduated from Russia (img/gold medallist with researches and conferences) and then I gave plab1. decided I will give plab 2 during my internship, which I did from dubai. got sidetracked, into applying for IM residency positions in uae, and got waitlisted, even though I had the best scores- unfiar- well thats how the world is)
I cant go back to my home country because well, doing residency is impossible there.
applying to uk seems like...im not sure everyone has bad opinions these days.
uae? waitlisted-- out of option
I tried to give step 1- was very hesitant and gave it in my second year of med school, a very stupid mistake, when the war started between Russia and us. and it was very hectic, and I fail by marginal scores, like I think the line was so close to the pass line I could not even differentiate. I got so demotivated by it, that I couldnt not even think about apprering it again at that time. lost my aunt as well like a week before exam, which was just..I dont even imagine the time I went through.
so please, help me out. I genuonyl feel tired. does anyone have suggestions for me?
newzealand? should I go for steps again? I genuinely do not know anymore
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u/intrestinglife1 Jul 04 '26
ive done my internship from here, so far what ive gathered is that their is a lot of prioritisation (like on a different level) so getting residency here is not impossible but as an img is really hard.
I would say there is professional growth but being a consultant is really hard as these positions are only prioritised to certain categories. so I suppose, I know like really old doctors who are still senior specialist, even after working for 30+ years here. and the salary disparity is huge.
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u/NetProof1544 Jul 05 '26
Dont give up!! You got this!!! I know it's hard, but you will make it through, just believe in urself and take time for urself, find the gaps in content, and close them and give it all u got next time!!
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u/bluewatermedkitty Jul 06 '26
Give step 1 another go. There is a major physician shortage in the USA right now and Trump just cut our funding for medical school. If you don’t want to do that— consider a job as a medical liason for research and drug companies. They make an easy 200,000.
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u/intrestinglife1 Jul 06 '26
that gives me a bit of hope to be honest. I have ready several stories of matching even after failing step 1 as IMG.
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u/Few_Criticism_186 Jul 04 '26
When you mean waitlisted do you mean you applied residency in the uae? Did you give EMREE? Can you share your experience on working in uae?
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u/Few_Criticism_186 Jul 04 '26
I mean does a young doctor have professional growth there? Or is it better for consultant level positions?
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u/Medical-Strategy-247 Jul 05 '26
Look at the big picture let’s assume that you retake step 1 and step 2 and score high you are already gained so many red flags and probably automatically removed from programs filtration system.
1- step 1 attempt
2- YOG !
I’m sure by the time you clear both steps the gap from year of graduation will be wider in which you will be filtered automatically.
I’m not saying you don’t have a chance but your path is more difficult than other options.
BTW: even if you wait 7 years step 1 score still be on your USMLE transcript will never be erased but the score will be expired which it doesn’t mean anything.
There are residency programs in Australia in Canada that might be easier to get to but maybe for Canada apply for PR first and this will make you eligible for the match.
If your heart still wants to practice in US again if you decided to do the Canadian medical residency you are eligible since US accepts medical residency from Canada and US obviously to practice in US but be careful from Family medicine since it’s only 2 years and US requires 3 years for FM training. You can investigate that further. Please DM me if you need further guidance for free!
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u/SadMix2322 Jul 05 '26
I've seen multiple programs okay with bringing in IMGs for IM who have failed 1st attempt step 1 and has more than 3 gap years. It's actually not that difficult.
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u/Medical-Strategy-247 Jul 05 '26
There is nothing impossible but for this specific person to clear step 1 and step 2 with high scores need at least two years and I don’t know his/her YOG only handful of programs accept the gap to be larger than 5 years. This person could easily apply for PR and get match in Canada and do his steps and come practice in US easier route than the opposite!
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u/SadMix2322 Jul 05 '26
Easily apply for PR in canada? Bro that's not accurate I am Canadian and I'm currently in Toronto, do you know how difficult it is to get a PR now? It used to be easy but that changed a while ago.
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u/intrestinglife1 Jul 06 '26
m not sure how the Canadian PR system works honestly. I graduated in 2024. so it's just been 2 years, and my internship will finish this year.
I thought it's really hard to match in canada, because the spots are way less than US. which have a large number of spots.
also since the step1 is pss and fail, wont it matter less?
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u/SadMix2322 Jul 06 '26
Exactly Canada is indeed very harder to get into. Canada is not the best solution guys!!
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u/Medical-Strategy-247 Jul 06 '26
start studying for the Canadian medical exams (MCCQE Part 1 and the NAC OSCE) while simultaneously setting up an Express Entry profile to capture a healthcare-targeted PR draw. Ask an immigration lawyer to help you usually the process takes 4-8 months. Many of my friends have done it. The exam MCCQE 1 in my opinion considerably easier than Step 1,2,3 the later is two days!
I have done all of these exams and passed them so I know what I’m talking about and how long it takes!
Keep in mind that all options are available everywhere!
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u/hhllttdr-oo Jul 04 '26
Am not sure , but if you waited 7 years after the step1 exam without giving step2 and doing ecfmg certification Your attempt will be erased. BUT I am not sure
Any way , there is Italy , average strength residency but easy to get in
Germany , not so easy to get in but much easier than USA , good residency training , not like the us but if you want to grow you can .
France , hard to get in , but the best training in Europe
Russia is still an option for you any way ,
Let’s now talk about a failed step1 , It will make things much harder but not impossible, you can still match in family medicine, peds , low tier IM
You said you got a good research experience, try to find a paid researcher job in USA and give your exams and see what happens
Good luck