Hi.

I'm a FMG interested in entering an Internal Medicine residency, and hopefully later on get a fellowship in Cardiology.
I just received my step 1 score, which isn't fantastic, but still ok i guess (224/93).

I'm planning on coming to the US next summer to do 2 months of clinical electives, and I were wondering which electives would help my application for IM (and cardiology later on)?

The place I'm looking at doesn't allow FMG's to do IM core electives, so I would like to know if anyone of you out there have any suggestions for which electives to apply for.
I'm thinking of 1 month in a cardiology department, but what should I do for the second month?
Also, do you think it'll hurt my application not having done an IM elective?

Thanks alot for any feedback.

First of all, the thing that will help you get a Cardiology fellowship is a good IM residency. No rotation you do now will have any effect on a Cards fellowship in the future.

So, focus instead on what will help you get a good IM spot, preferably a university program or a community program with a Cards fellowship. For that, a rotation as a Sub I would be best -- taking call, primary responsibility for patients. I'm not sure what they mean by "core IM rotations", but if they won't let you do a medicine Sub I, consider an ICU rotation, inpatient cards or H/O, etc.

Good luck!

Thank You so much for the answer.

I hope I'll be able to set up a rotation as a sub-I, but still not sure if they'll let me do it (won't anwer my emails).
What about a rotation in EM, would that be a good alternative?

Thanks again.

Thank You so much for the answer.

I hope I'll be able to set up a rotation as a sub-I, but still not sure if they'll let me do it (won't anwer my emails).
What about a rotation in EM, would that be a good alternative?

Thanks again.

Yes, an ED rotation would be a good option also. Only problem in the ED is that you often work with many different people, harder to get a letter.