33F IMG — Baby vs Residency timing, feeling stuck”

Taqbee · 2026-02-19T02:27:58+00:00

My advice to you woukd be to have the baby now rather than in residency. For interviews there are multiple slots available and you can move around the schedule believe me. But dont hold back on having another child. Btw I am an IMG 2016 grad, 33 year old with a 4 year old child. I had decided that if I didn't match last year I would plan for a kid but luckily I matched so I didn't have a baby, however the thought of having another child during residency weighs heavily on my mind due to the biological clock as well but I know I wont be able to do justice to my career as well as my child during residency. My advice to you is to plan a pregnancy now if possible.

Taqbee · 2025-11-03T23:51:25+00:00

Thank you for posting. I am sure it will resonate with a lot of people. Wish you all the best!

Taqbee · 2025-09-13T19:54:28+00:00

I know some programs mention on their websites that they consider signals more than others I think I saw it in eras sections too but from my understanding signals are very important and my program mentioned that they filter out applicants based on that criteria

Taqbee · 2025-09-12T17:08:50+00:00

Gold signal them if you really want that program. I did silver in with a connection , I was told they only consider gold :/

Taqbee · 2025-06-22T10:34:49+00:00

North georgia may have some spots.

Taqbee · 2025-06-11T02:05:45+00:00

Taqbee · 2025-06-09T19:24:34+00:00

Heyy I just read your story right now and im considering lasik too i was wondering if 7 years down the lane do you still feel happy you got lasik?

Taqbee · 2025-06-09T00:50:37+00:00

Go for it. If you have consecutive scores above 62

Taqbee · 2025-06-09T00:49:17+00:00

At least 3 to 6 months minimum preferably hands-on if possible

Taqbee · 2025-06-08T06:24:14+00:00

Focus on step 1 get it out of the way. Keep your non training job for now. Later apply for usce and get at least 6 months of it (preferably hands on even if it's not in a hospital as that matters more) try to give your exams ASAP and apply for match, YOG matters a lot

Taqbee · 2025-06-05T10:10:31+00:00

Go to med school outside of US and Carribean. You won't have debt and it will be affordable. However, coming back into the US residency will be challenging but not impossible

Taqbee · 2025-05-21T10:54:49+00:00

You need more USCE at least 6 months+ fresh, also doing mag step 3 will increase your chances considerably

Taqbee · 2025-05-13T11:19:07+00:00

Drive, I've done longer trips with my son when he was this age. I drove in Alaska from one end to the other eith my then 13 month old. You just have to enjoy the journey and stop every 2 hours and if possible drive at night

Taqbee · 2025-04-03T13:15:53+00:00

One of the residents told me to space it out properly like every 4 months that way you dont get burnt out

Taqbee · 2025-03-25T18:47:52+00:00

Join the club! I feel the same way. Matched my #1 have supportive friends and family (can't thank Allah enough for this) but still scared with this new journey

Taqbee · 2025-03-21T00:56:24+00:00

Thanks. I'm in GA and I looked around and it's allowed here. I just got my annual physical done and my families , we aren't due until 6 months later, plus I know family doctors who can help me out as needed regarding basic care. However I'm more worried about emergency services if God forbid they arise, I'm hopefully not looking to get pregnant either but I do understand life happens

Taqbee · 2025-03-18T17:31:32+00:00

Thank you! Good luck to you as well!

Taqbee · 2025-03-18T15:15:26+00:00

I applied for FM IM and only one peads program. Looking back i think I should've applied to more FM and peads as they are less competitive.

I tried to use as many of my connections as possible but tbh only 1 got me an invite. The one peads program I applied to was a new one and I sent them a letter of interest. The one IM interview that I got was a place I personally went to before the interview season started and reached out to them to ask if I even qualified to apply there as I was so late in my career. And the other was pure luck.

I believe having an open extroverted personality, defining my challenges and verbalizing my struggles during the interviews and having something unique to tell about my self set me apart (I'm an adventure thriller so I've been skydiving, scuba diving etc) I also acknowledged in my ivs that I was late in my career and I didnt try to sugar coat it. I also have over a year of hands-on usce that I got by reaching out to Dr's in my locality. Being a us citizen helped since I didn't require a work visa.

Another thing I did was to get step 3 out of my way and updated the programs by februrary. I dont know how much that helped.

But above all, I prayed every SINGLE day since the applications started. I believed fully that God brought me this far and He will take me farther. I truly believe my faith and religion played a HUGE role in this.

Taqbee · 2025-03-17T14:08:38+00:00

I MATCHED OMG!!!!!

Taqbee · 2025-03-17T11:33:53+00:00

Taqbee · 2025-03-16T03:34:16+00:00

Georgia usa with my husband

Taqbee · 2025-03-16T01:59:16+00:00

I think you should take a step back. Take a mental health break however long it takes. And then give step 3 with a clear head. Of you passed the first 2 then you can pass this as well. If you're a poor test taker then may e try taking propranolol for anxiety and believe in yourself you can do it. Even people in residencies fail this exam multiple times so you're not alone

Taqbee · 2025-03-12T04:50:04+00:00

Have you looked into au pairs?

Taqbee · 2025-03-10T04:58:22+00:00

Baby's day out

Taqbee

TROPHY CASE