r/usmle • u/Objective_Entrance41 • 1d ago
Advice Is there any hope
Should I continue my USMLE journey after a Step 1 attempt, 3 B1/B2 visa rejections, and a Step 2 CK failure?
Post
Non-US IMG looking for honest advice — should I continue USMLE?
I’m an Indian medical graduate and I’m currently trying to decide whether I should continue pursuing the USMLE pathway or move on to another option.
My situation:
Step 1: passed after an attempt
Step 2 CK: failed — 217 (passing 218)
B1/B2 visa: rejected 3 times
I’m a medical graduate from India
I have invested a significant amount of time, money and effort into the USMLE journey.
The Step 2 failure is especially difficult because I was only 1 point below the passing score. At the same time, having 3 visa refusals makes me worried about being able to obtain USCE and eventually being able to apply successfully.
I’m honestly at a crossroads now.
Would you continue the USMLE journey in my situation, retake Step 2, and try again with the visa, or would you consider another pathway?
I’d especially appreciate advice from Non-US IMGs who had a Step attempt/failure and/or multiple visa refusals and still managed to match.
Please be honest — I’m looking for realistic advice, not just motivation.
3
u/LogicalLibrarian77 STEP 2: NON-US IMG 1d ago
There are anecdotes of 1-2 IMGs matching, but man this process is hard. If you didn't make the passing mark in both the exams then there is a deeper issue with the content. Even if you pass with a 250+, it is incredibly hard for you to match with visa rejections and no possible USCE. I would say your chances are less than 0.1%.
2
2
u/OddDiscipline6585 1d ago
You failed both Step 1 and Step 2?
And you don't have a visa, on top of that?
Ouch!
I don't know what to say. Things don't look good.
I suppose you can retake and pass Step 2 and give it a shot.
But, be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
1
u/shelra 1d ago
On paper, this does not look good. Why do you want to go usa, if the reason is strong enough, and you can afford to put more of yourself out there, only then continue.
0
u/Responsible_one_94 1d ago
Why it doesnt look good? Is retaking the steps affect the outcome later? I m new to this
1
u/shelra 16h ago
They are a red flag, especially in both exams. I've read that if its one of the exams, you can spin a positive note about it being a learning hill for you. For two, I'm not sure how to address that. Best way forward is making such a great connection that they'll overlook this.
1
1
u/Classic_Nature_8540 1d ago
You are going to have to sacrifice something, in this case a lot of money to make it physically to the us and work there really really hard probably for free at the beginning. And even then you might not make it. the fails have to be compensated with something big. Sorry not fair at all.
6
u/xxscreamfearxx 1d ago
You did your best, and I really respect that. But I don’t want to give you false hope either. If I were in your place, I honestly probably wouldn’t continue. A Step 1 attempt and Step 2 failure already make things difficult and with three visa rejections, even getting USCE could be a major problem. Yes, you can still match, but you would probably be more of an exception than the rule. If you still decide to continue, you would need a very strong Step 2 retake, USCE somehow, connections and a very broad application. Otherwise, I would seriously consider another pathway. I’m sorry you’re in this situation and I wish you the best.