Do USMLE scores matter for US Fellowships?

[gronk]

Hi guys,
I'm a plastics trainee in Australia thinking of doing a plastics fellowship/s in the US in 2013. I need to do my USMLEs in order to be able to apply for these fellowships. Does it matter what score I get in each Step or do I just have to pass. In particular, with regards to the Microsurgery Fellowship match, will the USMLE scores affect my chances?
Thanks,

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[lord_jeebus]

I don't know about Microsurgery, but all my fellowship applications (Pain Medicine) want USMLE scores. I doubt they would ask if they didn't care about the score.

 

[gronk]

Anyone know for sure??

 

[CLIF]

I am also interested in whether the score matters, or not.

Thanks

 

[Funky]

I've asked a nephrologist in our hospital and he said the competitive fellowships don't look at your USMLE score per say but letters of rec, connections, residency program, interview do matter.

 

[gronk]

Thanks Funky, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I can really only afford a little time to devote to studying for my USMLEs as I have my fellowship exam (FRACS) to start studying for sitting next year,
Cheers

 

[Encephalectomy]

Thanks Funky, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I can really only afford a little time to devote to studying for my USMLEs as I have my fellowship exam (FRACS) to start studying for sitting next year,
Cheers

I think that the advice above was more for people who are doing their residency training in the US, so I wouldn't assume that your USMLEs aren't very important based on that (with the exception being that if your mentors are highly connected with a particular US program).

 

[coastal]

Scores don't matter, they just want it so you can bill (in the states where a J1 visa won't cut it). I'm a Canadian ortho resident planning to go to the US for fellowship. Writing step I in two 1/2 weeks.

 

[Encephalectomy]

Scores don't matter, they just want it so you can bill (in the states where a J1 visa won't cut it). I'm a Canadian ortho resident planning to go to the US for fellowship. Writing step I in two 1/2 weeks.

i stand corrected