Since I am related to medicine and an International Medical Graduate, IMG, it makes sense to publish my first post related to the field. Hope you find it helpful.
Ain'ters
You should run away from the person who tells you can't do it. You will find lots of, what we call ain'ters around you. As a wise man (read James Franco) once said "Haters' gonna hate, Ain'ters' gonna ain't". The main decisive factor is You (and your money of course). Once you've decided to go for it, the rest of your journey is down the river.
Money
Let's talk about it out loud. No one talks about it much. The truth is you will need quite some money for your steps. You'll need it for registration, books, online resources and some miscellaneous things. So be ready to break this news to your parents if you are dependent on them (as most of the IMGs are). As a rough estimate, told to us by our seniors, you'll require around $1500 for each Step. Step2 CS requires more because of the travel expenditures and stay at the US. But you should not worry about it, not yet. Take one step at a time.
The Toolkit
Is Kaplan sufficient? Do I need Master the Boards? My friend says FirstAid is the key, is it? These are the questions that haunt a lot of IMGs, if not all. The question should be "What I'll easily learn and retain?". Once you have answer to that, well, you would have picked one already. My advice is whatever series you choose, supplement it with Kaplan or Master the boards videos lectures. These lectures help IMGs alot as they not only teach you how to study for the steps, but also some insight into the clinical practice in the states. Almost all of IMGs are clueless about the norms and customs of clinical practice in the United States. Mcqs and a lot of mcqs are the key. Keep practicing. They help you learn the stuff and also improve your timing. Remember USMLE is a timed exam.
The Score
I'll keep it short. You need at least 20+ above the mean score to stand out. For example if the average score for internal medicine is 220, you should try to get at least 240. And let me remind you "it's doable". There's a lot of competition these days and you should keep that in mind. Don't rush into taking your exams. Prepare fully and ace your steps.
Tip: Don't extend beyond your "fresh graduate" window, which is up to 2 years after your date of graduation.
This and That
Let me make it clear once and for all. The only two prerequisites for getting a match are:
1. You are a medical student
2. Your steps score
Nothing else is a requirement. Although there are some ways in which you can stand out in the crowd. I'll talk about it some other time.
Endurance
It's easier to make plans, stick them on a board, tell your peers about it and feel good. Here comes the real deal, what will make you stand apart in the crowd is your endurance and how well you executed your plans. There are services that help you with making plans, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and even more flexible plans. You're your best judge. Opt that suites you to the best of your abilities. Stay focused. Grind. Complain less and work hard.
Endurance will take you a long way if combined with your wisdom.
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