old re-applicant seeking for HONEST feedback

[race]

Hello,
I need a full consultation with (all of) you in regard of my REAL chances to match at the 2014 season. My story is as follows (omitting no detail):
I graduated from med school in 2006, no mistakes in my school or personal record, and I would say medium to high grades. My USMLE score (I dont remember the 3 digits ones) are STEP 1 75, STEP 2 CK 86, STEP 2 CS PASS, all passed in first attempt. I got ECFMG certified in December 2008. I took the STEP 3 but I failed it and didn't try to retook it. I have done several rotations (what is called observerships) in the US, 2 of them include a little bit of clinical research experience too. From those rotations, I got at least 4 LORs, 1 closed (I waived the right to see it, of Internal Medicine- Endocrinology) and the rest of them are open (2 of Internal Medicine and 1 Pediatrics). As you can imagine, those LORs are VERY old (at least 3 to 4 years) but I believed they' are good, at least that's what they told me when I interviewed (specially the close one). In the 2009- 2010 season, I used your services and I got 9 interviews (between Internal Medicine and Pediatrics). 2 of those interviews where from programs that knew me, one because I did an observership there (Hospital of Saint Raphael in CT) from where I got 2 LORs (one from the former Program Director), and the other program because I did a rotation in an affiliated hospital and the secretary of that program recommended me to the other one.
After 9 interviews and putting all of my effort (hope and money) I did not match. A few days latter after the match, one of the programs (the one that I put as my first option in my ranking list, which is Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston, MA) called me because one of their candidates had a personal problem and refuse his residency spot, so they wanted to re- interview me again. Since I was in Venezuela already doing another residency, I asked them to be honest and tell me my real chances. They said that they were interviewing me and another American candidate, that they believed I was the strongest one but it wasn't necessary to make the paperwork for the visa to the other candidate. I decided to go to the interview anyway; after it they told me that they will contact me no matter if the result was good or bad..... never got a single e-mail from them.
So I decided to pursue a 6 month training in the ER and an Internal Medicine Residency in Venezuela, which I finished in December 2012. At the present, I am living in France because my husband was transfer here due to work, doing nothing medical for the last 7 months (in France if you do not have the language is very hard to study or work).
This is the big picture of me. I would like and honest and straight feedback about my chances pursuing training in Internal Medicine (it is what I like and have experience on it). And perhaps in pediatrics or FM. I would like to know what do you think are my weaknesses and strengths in my application, and how many programs will I need to interview in order to have a chance (if there is one).

I will be waiting for your feedback,
AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE,

[Corinthiano]

Please,
Tell us about how were your 9 interviews.
I think that this must be your "weakest" point, since with 9 interviews we would expect you to match.

Another 2 point are:
- this recently gap from your France period... You have to find out a good explanation about that.
- your lors are old. Why don't you call or email the writers and ask them to update your lors? Send them you update cv so they can write that you finished residency in venezuela also.

[race]

Originally Posted by Corinthiano

Please,
Tell us about how were your 9 interviews.
I think that this must be your "weakest" point, since with 9 interviews we would expect you to match.

I honestly thought my interviews went good. But without matching, I made the same conclusion as you did. But the problem is that I do not know what I did wrong at the interviews!. Perhaps I was too young? (now I have a residency in my shoulders which equals work experience), perhaps I was too nervous?..

Another 2 point are:
- this recently gap from your France period... You have to find out a good explanation about that.
Yieks... the honest exxplanation is that my huband was transfer here and in France is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to do anything without a perfect french.

- your lors are old. Why don't you call or email the writers and ask them to update your lors? Send them you update cv so they can write that you finished residency in venezuela also.

I thought that doing that would look bad, cause I disappeared for about 4 yers. But 2 of those doctors I really trust, is it 2 LORs enough?

[Corinthiano]

you usually need 3.
And you have to hurry, because it takes like 2 w for the lor to be uploaded! And I think you must apply early.

[race]

Originally Posted by Corinthiano

you usually need 3.
And you have to hurry, because it takes like 2 w for the lor to be uploaded! And I think you must apply early.

Thank you Corinthiano! This brings me to another question. Should or shouldn't I waived my right to see those LORs? I am affraid that if I waived it I will need to push and bother the doctors to write it. If I have it "in my hands" is easier to control the process.

[Corinthiano]

I think if you waive is better. But you need to trust the writers. The worst thing that could happen would have a bad lor.