General questions: IMGs applying to fellowships

[vaskinha-]

Hi all!

I have spent a lot of time reading some of the threads and I must say they made me fell a bit hopeless. I am an IMG from Portugal, but I did my residency and doctoral studies in Germany. I am a bit disappointed because in Germany, while salary and working hours are very good, one doesn't get a lot of surgical hands on experience. Although I am almost a OB-GYN specialist, apart from some minor procedures, I don't feel confident to perform most surgeries. Because of this I decided to apply for a fellowship in the US (either FMIGS, breast and/or gyn-onco), however after reading some threads I have the feeling my chances are next to zero.

I have some questions:

- Most of you agree that Step scores are not important to match for a fellowship, does this hold for IMGs?
- Is Step 3 a plus? I have contacted most Fellowship programs and I know it is NOT required, but is it an advantage? I don't intend to stay in the US after the fellowship, so I don't think I "need" it.
- Another thing most of you bring up are LoR from acquaintances and/or "important" people. Although my department is "famous" in Germany, I am sure it isn't famous in the USA, because it is not a university hospital. So will my LoR be worth anything?
- What I do have is a solid publication list - not large in number, but in good journals. how will this matter?

Lastly:

- What can I do in the mean time to top up my chances?

Any help would be appreciated.

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[Medstart108]

How good is your English? Have you ever considered a fellowship in Canada? You might not even need to write many exams for this.

I think you might be able to do a resident elective in the US if you are still in residency, but if you are not then there isn't much you can do apart from doing decently well on the step. I know that most programs don't look at your Step scores but some might for IMGs. I don't think it hurts to have good scores.

 

[vaskinha-]

Thank you for the reply. My post reads a bit clumsy, but my english is very good (C2 level). I haven't considered a fellowship in Cancada because I thought it would be even more complicated and there is even less info online, but I will check it out. I can't take any electives oustide of Germany because Germans don't allow you to leave the department except if you use holidays or similar. I am looking for possibilities all around the globe, all I want is solid surgical teaching, I don't really care where.

 

[vaskinha-]

Sorry, what about taking step 3? Worth it? Thanks

 

[vaskinha-]

Step 3? Anyone thinks it's a plus worth enough to go through?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

- Most of you agree that Step scores are not important to match for a fellowship, does this hold for IMGs?

Step scores matter for fellowship. Both AMG and IMG.

- Is Step 3 a plus? I have contacted most Fellowship programs and I know it is NOT required, but is it an advantage? I don't intend to stay in the US after the fellowship, so I don't think I "need" it.

As I answered on your other thread, Step 3 is essentially required by many/most institutions now.

The ACGME has changed its rules such that fellowships are not supposed to take applicants who have not completed a US/Canadian residency first. You may find this path more difficult to pursue than in the past.

 

[vaskinha-]

Thank you for your answer aProgDirector. I have contacted some of the programs (breast and FMIGS) and they all said it wasn't needed. I haven't contacted all the programs tho. I am not planning on taking it except if it would do a huge difference, mainly because of it's cost. Thank you again.