A question for aProgDirector

[Forgottenhopes]

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Hi aProgDirector,

I am an IMG with a 250+ on step 1 and 270+ on Step2 ,this time when i applied for an IM residency via eras i only got 3 interview calls, the most probable 2 reasons that i can think of are (i) i wasn't certified when i applied( i am now, my ecfmg certificate came on 17 Feb) (ii) i had no US clinical exp. Now there is a distinct possibility that i won't match this time, so i am giving the scramble (even though a long shot) a chance.

My question is that even though i know i want to do IM if i have no other option should i, if available, take a Prelim Surg position and apply to a PGY1 IM position next year..for this would atleast provide me with 1 year of US Clinical experience or is this a bad idea as a few of my friends did a prelim surg and then applied to categorical medicine(as they found out they could't handle Surgery) but they got very very few IM interviews.Right now i'm very confused and would like your insights.Thanks
Sorry for the manuscript though!!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You;ve posted the same question in a number of different places, which is frowned upon.

There is no easy answer to your question. Doing a prelim surg rotation will clearly give you US experience. However, it will use a year of your funding (making a categorical IM spot more difficult to get) and getting time to interview at programs while a surgery intern can be difficult.

 

[Forgottenhopes]

sorry...i tried to delete my post in the scramble advicce thread but couldn't managae to do that i'll try once again...

 

[rox]

What about taking an IM Prelim if I want to do IM later on? Does that path have the same funding problems?

 

[Forgottenhopes]

aProgDirector answered this question quite a while ago; IM would face the same problem with only 50% of DME funding in the last year...but with prelim in IM you can always go for a PGY2 spot in IM,then there would be no problem with funding...hope this clears it up...

 

[Vetinari]

i was in the same situation last year.
I would advise you to do an observership or some
other form of work experience.
Maybe look for a research position and apply again next year.

If you do so, you will get many more interviews.

That was my experience.
As an IMG, it pretty much does not matter what your score is
if you ae not ecfmg certified by interviews.

 

[Forgottenhopes]

Thank you Vetinari

 

[multiplemyeloma]

Just wanted to chime in with my own experience. I had similar grades as yours last year but wasn't ECFMG certified. I received four interviews and didn't match. I spent last year doing an observership, research volunteering at a university hospital and took the step 3. This year I got 14+ interviews and prematched at a very good program. My advise to you is, if you are a new grad (less than 5 years since graduation), try to volunteer in research or do an observership and get the step 3 out of the way. Apply early and widely to the next match, hopefully you will get a good spot (and an H1B visa too, if that is what u want). Good luck