Degree or not degree? this is the question...

[franceschino]

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hi everyone
I am a 21 years old UK medical student, with Italian nationality. I am very keen in becoming a surgeon in the US but I also know that is very difficult to get in a residency program.
I am about to decide whether to undertake a second degree (biochemistry or anatomy) whilst doing my clinical years. Since I would be doing it just to have an extra thing on my CV, I was hoping you could tell me whether you believe it would have a big impact on my chances in getting into a good residency program. I know I want to become a doctor and I can not wait to start working, that is why I am not too keen in spending 1 year studying something else. But if that is what it take, obviously I am more than happy to do it!
Other things I would be able to put on my CV include:
letters of raccomandation, erasmus experience, 3 clinical audits, various working experience in the medical sector, major sport successes, captaincy and club captaincy of the university fencing club, president and founder of the university plastic surgery society, president of a political society, organiser of various charity events.
Considering that I have another 2 years the list of things would hopefully get bigger. What do you think I should concentrate in doing to improve my chances in getting in a residency program? And do you believe I do need a second degree?
I really hope you can help me. I apologise for bothering you, but I would like to get started as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for your help.
Francesco

 

[Taty]

hi everyone
I am a 21 years old UK medical student, with Italian nationality. I am very keen in becoming a surgeon in the US but I also know that is very difficult to get in a residency program.
I am about to decide whether to undertake a second degree (biochemistry or anatomy) whilst doing my clinical years. Since I would be doing it just to have an extra thing on my CV, I was hoping you could tell me whether you believe it would have a big impact on my chances in getting into a good residency program. I know I want to become a doctor and I can not wait to start working, that is why I am not too keen in spending 1 year studying something else. But if that is what it take, obviously I am more than happy to do it!
Other things I would be able to put on my CV include:
letters of raccomandation, erasmus experience, 3 clinical audits, various working experience in the medical sector, major sport successes, captaincy and club captaincy of the university fencing club, president and founder of the university plastic surgery society, president of a political society, organiser of various charity events.
Considering that I have another 2 years the list of things would hopefully get bigger. What do you think I should concentrate in doing to improve my chances in getting in a residency program? And do you believe I do need a second degree?
I really hope you can help me. I apologise for bothering you, but I would like to get started as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for your help.
Francesco

I am starting med school in US, I guess I dont have much experience, but arent u supposed to pass step 1 and 2 first and after apply for US residency as FMG? I maybe wrong though...

 

[maverick_pkg]

graduate as fast as u can and try to finish your steps in the meanwhile...then after graduating come to the US and if you feel u can afford a year, and dont have visa issues, do research.

these things are looked at a better light relative to a second degree, and that too outside US.

 

[Winged Scapula]

IMHO, a second undergraduate degree will have NO impact on getting into a US residency.

If you can spend some time doing US clinical electives during your final year and getting US letters of rec, do well on the USMLE that will benefit you more than any additional degree.

 

[franceschino]

thank you so much for the very fast replies!
I can't deny that I am very surprised to hear that an extra degree wouldn't help at all. Thanks for the piece of advice and please if you have anything else that might help, please let me know!
Thanks again,

Francesco

 

[Winged Scapula]

thank you so much for the very fast replies!
I can't deny that I am very surprised to hear that an extra degree wouldn't help at all. Thanks for the piece of advice and please if you have anything else that might help, please let me know!
Thanks again,

Francesco

Glad to be of some help. Typically in the US a second undergraduate degree is not very useful; a PhD can be helpful in some cases, especially for those interested in an academic or research career. But it sounds like you would just be doing it for CV purposes in which case, I can't see that any possible small amount it might help would be worth the time and expense.

You might check out the International Forums here if you haven't already - there is lots of information there about getting into a US residency from a foreign school.

I would concentrate on getting to do some US electives during your final year in order to get some US LORs as the best thing you can do for your application outside of doing really well on the USMLE.

 

[maverick_pkg]

yeah US electives are the most important thing, and try to get 3 US LORs. these can be had only before you graduate so contact schools now. Only a few offer malpractice insurance (thats why the long wait time), which u many need as yours may not be valid in US.

 

[sleeping]

Extra degrees don't really help. I can tell you this since, I have one. On previous interviews, and talks with attendings-the usual thing they say is "Oh wow you have a this or a that, thats great, now make sure you the CT abd/pelvis gets done in the next 5 minutes."

As the previous posters said, do really well on the USMLE, really, really well, really. Recent US experience within the past year is important.

To be honest, program directors don't have any other way to rank you against other canidates.

 

[Taty]

thank you so much for the very fast replies!
I can't deny that I am very surprised to hear that an extra degree wouldn't help at all. Thanks for the piece of advice and please if you have anything else that might help, please let me know!
Thanks again,

Francesco

Things are very different in the US than in Europe.

 

[franceschino]

You guys are the best!
Thanks so much for your help. I shall study incredibly hard then.

Francesco

 

[sleeping]

One last thing I forgot to mention.

Make sure you are 99-100% ready before you take the USMLE exam. I mean don't take the exam unless you are sure you know can't study anymore.

I don't want to scare you. Because it has happened to friends of mine. They took the exam in a rush and did poorly. They ended up having a horrible time in the match. You only get one chance to do well in the steps, because the previous scores show up on the reports.

This happens to foreign grads alot, so I just want to warn you, not scare you.

Make sure as the previous posts indicates, check out the international forums. Read from the books the american grads use. Check out the review courses.

You need to plan well. I hope all will go well for you. 👍

 

[Winged Scapula]

You only get one chance to do well in the steps, because the previous scores show up on the reports.

Just a clarification. You cannot retake the USMLE if you score poorly UNLESS you do not pass the minimum required score. Therefore, you should consider that you have only one chance - if you don't pass, the previous attempts will show up on your report, however, if you do pass but aren't happy with your score, you cannot retake it.