FMG seeking ophtho match advice

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dannyd

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Hi guys,

I was wondering if any FMGs who matched this year in ophtho have any advice. This was my first time applying (all programs) and I had some interviews ( 3 solid mid-tier programs and a couple lower tier) on basis of away rotations and contacts. I would say my application is good (based on feedback from various chairs and PDs). I have been doing research with a bigwig for 2 years (made phone calls/emails), had 2 good bigwig letters and 1 decent unknown, 18+ publications, >5 arvo posters/presentations. Scores, though not over the top, are good (including step 3). The one thing I don't have is a green card..
Not much is going to change in my application in the next match and I was wondering if anyone had any advice in terms of away rotations, research...anything really?

Thank you in advance.
 
As you suspect the biggest thing holding you back is the citizenship issue. The rest of your application is indeed stellar and there isn't much else you can do in that area unless you consider doing a dedicated research year for which you can get paid and also use to transfer your visa to something more permanent like an H1 for example. That would certainly help you the next time around but it's hard to find paid research, especially in ophtho (although two opportunities were recently posted in this forum).

Alternatively you may try to do volunteer research at a program that has taken IMG's in the past or at least a program that is not a top-tier program so that you become a familiar face and make yourself known to the faculty there. Pick a program outside of the top 1-15 or 1-20 and get as involved as possible in their research. I think it'll be more beneficial for you to actually dedicate yourself to a place where you have a chance of matching rather than relying on the support of the bigwigs behind you to make calls etc. That does still help of course, but if I was PD at a mid-tier program I'm going to pick the guy I already know who has been working his tail off the past few months rather than the random applicant who has friends in high places to call on his behalf. (Maybe I'm wrong there, hopefully someone else can confirm this.) If it was me, I would pick one of those places that gave you an interview and try seeing if they are interested in having you around for some volunteer research. Feel out the ones that are most open to the idea.

Another option that comes to mind, and I only suggest it for the sake of thoroughness in my reply, is to marry a US citizen.
 
I may be wrong, but I don't think you can receive funding for a US residency without at least a green card. That may be the hang up. US residencies are funded through the US government (i.e., Medicare). Fellowships are a different story, as they tend to be funded through the respective departments. There are usually no problems with non-citizens securing fellowship training in the US.
 
Visionary said:
I may be wrong, but I don't think you can receive funding for a US residency without at least a green card. That may be the hang up. US residencies are funded through the US government (i.e., Medicare). Fellowships are a different story, as they tend to be funded through the respective departments. There are usually no problems with non-citizens securing fellowship training in the US.
Click to expand...

You're right about the fellowships but as far as residencies go, as long as dannyd matches he/she will get paid the same amount as any resident at the program. The institution will just have to sponsor him for a particular type of visa (I forget the specific kind) and after a few years (7?) he/she can apply for a green card.

PS
like the new avatar
 
Last edited:
Guys, thanks for the response. I am currently on an H1 visa and have been a research fellow for 2+ years now (unfortunately it's not a residency program).
You are absolutely correct about the salary. I approached a few PDs about my dilemma and was told that the hospital has to cover a part of the salary since Medicare pays less for residents who have visas. There are programs that have taken FMGs and sponsor visas but those are few and far between.
My problem is that I cannot do volunteer work even though I want to - one is financial reasons and secondly, if I could afford it, termination of my current research job puts me out of H1 status and hence in illegal status in the US. So I have to find a paid position - unfortunately, those are hard to come by at lower/mid- tier programs.
Still searching for a research opportunity for the coming year while considering going for a prelim year and taking it from there.
Thank you for the advice and responses.
 
Have you tried the NEI. They have tons of foreigners working in their labs (well not tons, but enough to make it worthwhile). Not sure about their visa status though. Couldn't hurt to give it a look.
 
Im an IMG and fortunately matched this year. It was my second attempt. I think you have done the right things. I dont think visa issue is the main thing stopping you from getting a residency. Althuogh I have a green card, I know of programs who have accepted IMGs and sponsored J1/H1 visa. I think doing research at a different place where there would be IMG acceptance for residency would be the best bet. I worked at a bigger well known place doing research as well like you and matched at a decent midtier program. Good luck and perseverance will lead you to your dreams!
 
OP, I am in the same boat. Please excuse me piggybacking this thread, in hoping to get more discussions on FMG application.

Thanks Member1311, for the inspiring news. Could you help comment on my chances of match into an ophthalmology program. I am an FMG with an US PhD. I am currently a postdoc in the same lab of my PhD adviser, who is an MD/PhD pathologist. Although I have some papers including a first author paper in Cell level journal, my research is all about auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Without any ophthalmology research or knowing any big names in the field, what is my chance here? I have green card and my step 1 is in the 250s.

Really appreciate any comments.




Member1311 said:
Im an IMG and fortunately matched this year. It was my second attempt. I think you have done the right things. I dont think visa issue is the main thing stopping you from getting a residency. Althuogh I have a green card, I know of programs who have accepted IMGs and sponsored J1/H1 visa. I think doing research at a different place where there would be IMG acceptance for residency would be the best bet. I worked at a bigger well known place doing research as well like you and matched at a decent midtier program. Good luck and perseverance will lead you to your dreams!
Click to expand...
 
Wow, you have an amazing appliction. The only other thing I would suggest is to sit down with someone with the appropriate insight and discuss the types of things you spoke about at your interviews. I have heard of cultural differences being a factor, like a tendency toward extreme modesty that comes off unfavorably here.

Otherwise, marry in. Ask a close citizen friend for help.
 
Thanks fourchambered, did you talk about my application or the OPs?

Would it be a problem since I did not have any medical school rotation in the US? The best I could do is to shadow some MDs here.
 
fourchambered said:
Wow, you have an amazing appliction. The only other thing I would suggest is to sit down with someone with the appropriate insight and discuss the types of things you spoke about at your interviews. I have heard of cultural differences being a factor, like a tendency toward extreme modesty that comes off unfavorably here.

Otherwise, marry in. Ask a close citizen friend for help.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that suggestion. I did get some feedback from a few places and didn't get anything concrete - just the FMG and greencard issue and that I was ranked but it didn't work out and that I should reapply or look for open spots.
 
I am FMG but not yet cleared even a single step. So I may not be the right person to comment. And I am not at all sure if I want to chase Ophthal residency dream for a number of good years of my life where chance of succeeding is close to nil. My purpose is to get a US fellowship (preferably without doing dreadful USMLEs) and coming back to practice in my home country. US experience is highly regarded here. Having saying all that, from what I have heard from different sources that two FMgs actually matched in Ophthal last year. I can not check its authenticity, just heard that one middle eastern guy matched into Ophthal after doing research in west coast for one year (heard rumours that he had phenomenal scores etc) and one girl from subcontinent matched because of heavy contacts. Don't know if that helps, but that's all I know. From my place none of whom I have personally known could manage to match even after trying for a good many number of years. Not worth it.
 
DocZZ said:
OP, I am in the same boat. Please excuse me piggybacking this thread, in hoping to get more discussions on FMG application.

Thanks Member1311, for the inspiring news. Could you help comment on my chances of match into an ophthalmology program. I am an FMG with an US PhD. I am currently a postdoc in the same lab of my PhD adviser, who is an MD/PhD pathologist. Although I have some papers including a first author paper in Cell level journal, my research is all about auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Without any ophthalmology research or knowing any big names in the field, what is my chance here? I have green card and my step 1 is in the 250s.

Really appreciate any comments.
Click to expand...

I think your chances are remarkably high with such accomplishments. Getting involved with Ophthal clinical research (which should be cakewalk for you) and to get yourself known by a supportive mentor should be your next and the final steps. Apply widely by writing emails to many potential mentors. GL.
 
hi there,
well i am on the same boat looking for an ophthalmology residency. am an img, have decent usmle scores. actually i am matched in a pediatric ophthalmology program for this year, i am so anxious about the next year that even my cheer of matching did not last long. i love ophthalmology. at the same time i would like to practice medicine in the us system. so my question is could applying for a pediatrics residency just to secure a position be a good idea, and what are my chances?
 
Thank you! Member1311

I do not have patient contact for about 8 years since I moved to the States. Do you think it will be a big red flag to programs? I could do some clinical shadowing in the next a few months. Do you think it will help?



Member1311 said:
I think your chances are remarkably high with such accomplishments. Getting involved with Ophthal clinical research (which should be cakewalk for you) and to get yourself known by a supportive mentor should be your next and the final steps. Apply widely by writing emails to many potential mentors. GL.
Click to expand...
 
Know of somebody who faced a similar situation--but finally matched, graduated, and did a fellowship too. Just took awhile.

One thing he did was that he got his preliminary year out of the way... did a PGY-1 surgery at a major center. This really helped with his recommendation letters--as they were more clinical, rather than research. (He had already done 3 or so years of research at two top programs (ophthalmology).)

That made it easy for him to apply for PGY-2 vacancies through SFMatch when they came up. It also gave him colleagues who could talk him up with the ophtho guys where he did his prelim years.

I bet you could find a PGY-1 in surgery (my preference) or medicine starting in July. 🙂 You don't really need any more research on your CV IMHO.
 
Thank you the encouragement Umsami. Yes I have thankfully landed a position for intern year. I am going to go ahead with it and keep my eyes and ears peeled. I would really appreciate and would be grateful for any help for anyone on this forum. Please guys if you hear of any opportunities - please please PM me! Many thanks to everyone and good luck to those who are in the same boat as me!
 
Congrats. Honestly, just keep checking the vacancies on SFMatch. I don't know if they have a way to email you if they add vacancies (they didn't as of a few years ago), but if not...just set a reminder to check 1x/week. It will be depressing...as nothing will be there... but then you might get lucky.
 
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