Advice needed - img thinking of taking a year gap to study USMLE steps

[lewey]

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Hi, I'm an IMG, and I graduated from a medical school in my country this year.

I got accepted into a local psychiatry program, but I'm thinking of withdrawing and taking a year off (except for maybe some US externship) to prepare for the USMLE steps so I can apply before the 15th of September next year.

How much will this hurt my chances?

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

We would need a lot more information on your strength of application to answer this. In general, I think a bird in the hand if worth three or four in the bush. You might also consider when you would need step III by according to this local program. If you bomb it, it would be good to know the consequences in making this decision. I only know about psychiatry, but I have never had anyone ask me about step III performance when writing LORs for fellowships.

 

[lewey]

It seems there's a misunderstanding. By "local psychiatry program" I meant one that is in my home country. and I'm talking about preparing for step 1, 2 CK, and 2 CS in the year off so I can apply to psychiatry residencies in the US.

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

My misunderstanding. Having a year gap for IMG applicants is more the rule than the exception. Some medical boards in some US states will not even process their eligibility hoops they make IMGs jump through without you having already graduated. I still think no one can answer your question without knowing what your alternative plans would look like. If you don't have any steps yet, you will not be applying this year.

 

[slappy]

It seems there's a misunderstanding. By "local psychiatry program" I meant one that is in my home country. and I'm talking about preparing for step 1, 2 CK, and 2 CS in the year off so I can apply to psychiatry residencies in the US.

Which country are you in, and how long is the residency program for psychiatry there?

 

[lewey]

My misunderstanding. Having a year gap for IMG applicants is more the rule than the exception. Some medical boards in some US states will not even process their eligibility hoops they make IMGs jump through without you having already graduated. I still think no one can answer your question without knowing what your alternative plans would look like. If you don't have any steps yet, you will not be applying this year.

The alternative plan is either to study the steps while in the residency, and just take it slowly, or give up US residency altogether, though I don't like that.

The plan if I take the gap year is to finish the needed steps and be ECFMG certified before 15th of September 2018, how realistic is that?

Which country are you in, and how long is the residency program for psychiatry there?

Saudi Arabia, psychiatry residency here is 4 years.

 

[slappy]

The alternative plan is either to study the steps while in the residency, and just take it slowly, or give up US residency altogether, though I don't like that.

The plan if I take the gap year is to finish the needed steps and be ECFMG certified before 15th of September 2018, how realistic is that?


Saudi Arabia, psychiatry residency here is 4 years.

Sadly I don't know enough about the country's medical system to give you a more informed advice. Rather, I'll just say that you should go with whichever prospect speaks to you more.

One year for two steps seems quite realistic, as long as your medical school curriculum was relatively in line with the western curriculum. You might also want to schedule a rotation or two when you come here for your CS.

 

[pisekar]

In my experience, having a year-long gap is not a big problem. They need to look very carefully at your resume to see gaps in it, ERAS style resume is a little bit different than other resume types, it is not very easy to see that. However, having a one year gap just studying for USMLE is not a good idea. Studying only USMLE exam can help you to get really good scores, but this is not the only thing for your application. To be able to match, you need good recommendation letters and clinical or research experience (so you can show you have some experience in the US). The ideal scenario is to find a clinical or research position in the US while you are studying for your USMLE exam. Alternatively, you can continue to do your residency in Saudi Arabia, and you can take your exams while you are working there.