Florida Med School Grad Ready to Practice Family Medicine

I have not yet been able to match with a residency program. Residency program directors have expressed that I am a “risk” to their passing board rates due to my repeated attempts to pass the USMLE Step 2 CK. I addressed my academic issues with complete transparency and received the needed testing accommodations from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Unfortunately, my application has been rejected.

Here’s more of my story.

U.S. citizen. Born and raised in Florida.
Graduated from high school as valedictorian in 2005 with a 4.6 GPA. Also completed my AA degree during high school.
Attended Florida State University and majored in Exercise Physiology. Completed the pre-med track. Graduated in 2008, with honors.
Gap Year: Taught high school chemistry and physical sciences.
Completed the Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program, earning a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Graduated medical school in spring 2017, having passed USMLE Step 1 (first attempt), USMLE Step 2 CS (first attempt) and USMLE Step 2 CK (fourth attempt).

My entire life has been dedicated to the pursuit of medicine. Now as a medical graduate with no residency training, I struggle to find career options that are reflective of my knowledge and experience. My total debt is $430,000. My student loans are currently in deferment. From 2015-2019, I spent thousands of dollars in the residency match process. Due to financial constraints, I did not apply in the 2020 cycle. I am not certain of the best path from here. Returning to school is not a viable option, as I have maxed out my student loan allowances. I continue to apply each cycle and when opportunities become available outside of the application cycle.

Now, I offer success coaching to undergraduate students in an effort to help them enter and complete medical school successfully. I have also been a source of support to medical students who struggle academically or fail to match. I desire the opportunity to fulfill my aspiration of being a board-certified, practicing family medicine physician. In the meantime, I will do everything in my power to help pre-medical and medical students not face a similar path.

The United States is not lacking in American medical graduates. Some of us are simply not granted the opportunity to enter residency training and have a medical career.