Being a specialist after graduating from an Irish med school.

[Harbsy]

I would just like to know if being a canadian/u.s. citizen studying in Ireland limits your opportunity in becoming a specialist. My two main choices for speciality are dermatology and pediatrics. I know it would be competitive to find a spot but if I decide to go to Ireland, am I pretty much writing myself off in becoming a dermatologist or pedatrician?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[leorl]

I just replied something similar to the other thread. I think in one way you may be closing a door on yourself. Not particularly with peds, but with derm. Derm is one of the most competitive specialties in the US, and so residency programs would consider US grads before considering IMGs. It has nothing to do really with the fact that you're from an Irish school (quite well reputed). But that you're an IMG. Now, not saying it "couldn't" be done. But anything that can be done above and beyond what the US students would help - awesome USMLE scores (not as easy to do as you may hope), research, a lot of US electives and LORs, connections could help, and just an application that shines. And even that might get passed over.

 

[Harbsy]

What specialities are out there for an Ireland graduate Leorl?

 

[leorl]

I can't say in particular. There is nothing that is absolutely closed. It'd be about the same for any foreign med grad...so pretty much anything is possible. It's just the more competitive specialty, the less the chance of you being considered as an FMG, regardless of how good your scores and application are. Things you "should" be able to be "safe" in getting provided your scores are decent, would be things like FP / rural med and the less competitive specialties. But If you look at match lists, there are FMGs getting into more competitive specialties as well. So nothing is absolutely impossible.

 

[leorl]

I really like the education here. So I'd always encourage people who want to take a different path to come here. You just have to know the risks associated with applying to the US as an FMG. Doesn't mean you can't shoot for the stars and what you ultimately want, but you also can't be too restrictive with your choices and with what you are willing to do.

 

[Badkarma25]

hey there,

if you want to see what kind of chance you'd have getting certain specialties, go to the following website:

http://www.ama-assn.org/vapp/freida/spcindx/0,,TR,00.html

it's reputable, hosted by american medical association. pick a post grad program and you can see the % of training spots filled by IMG's. peds is a good choice for foreign medical grads. now i'm not a cynic or anything like that, but you might really want to think very carefully about a specialty like derm....3.7% IMG's aint too encouraging....at this point its about being realistic....could you do it? absolutely!!! but is it a realistic choice? that's very subjective....

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

I agree i know alot of EM people as FMG's. Not the highest competitive but it is moderately competitive

 

[Badkarma25]

mike,

can you please pm me about these EM people....EM is what i'm strongly leaning towards but the stats don't sound all that encouraging to me...you are obviously well connected to and very knowledgeable about EM. thanks.