ECFMG certification before application for US IMG

[donaldduck]

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Hey all,

I'm an US IMG applying for anesthesia this cycle. I noticed that some of the programs require the ECFMG certificate at the time of application. I have already received my scores for step 1, step 2 CS, and step 2 CK. However, I will not be graduating until the end of April 2014. So, I was wondering if I would still be eligible to apply for these programs.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Hey all,

I'm an US IMG applying for anesthesia this cycle. I noticed that some of the programs require the ECFMG certificate at the time of application. I have already received my scores for step 1, step 2 CS, and step 2 CK. However, I will not be graduating until the end of April 2014. So, I was wondering if I would still be eligible to apply for these programs.

First, I assume you mean April 2015... You will likely not be able to match without having your ECFMG certificate. You have to have it before you can start and if you finish at the end of April, that gives 2 months for everything to get processed for you to start. That's not likely enough time. You have to have your medical license to be able to start as well and that takes time. You're most likely looking to match in 2016 instead of 2015. Perhaps your school can allow you to delay graduation and allow you to keep getting USCE time in.

 

[Raryn]

First, I assume you mean April 2015... You will likely not be able to match without having your ECFMG certificate. You have to have it before you can start and if you finish at the end of April, that gives 2 months for everything to get processed for you to start. That's not likely enough time. You have to have your medical license to be able to start as well and that takes time. You're most likely looking to match in 2016 instead of 2015. Perhaps your school can allow you to delay graduation and allow you to keep getting USCE time in.

That's not the case. Hundreds of IMGs match every year ECFMG "verified" (meaning step 1/2/cs passed) but not "certified" (meaning they haven't graduated med school yet). It can be a little tight getting your diploma, getting it to the ECFMG, and processing any visa paperwork and whatnot, but it happens all the time.

Very few programs (though they do exist) actually require the full ECFMG certificate to interview/rank, but the majority do require you to have verification (i.e. 1/2/cs done). Some programs write the wrong thing on their website because they don't realize the difference between the two words.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

That's not the case. Hundreds of IMGs match every year ECFMG "verified" (meaning step 1/2/cs passed) but not "certified" (meaning they haven't graduated med school yet). It can be a little tight getting your diploma, getting it to the ECFMG, and processing any visa paperwork and whatnot, but it happens all the time.

Very few programs (though they do exist) actually require the full ECFMG certificate to interview/rank, but the majority do require you to have verification (i.e. 1/2/cs done). Some programs write the wrong thing on their website because they don't realize the difference between the two words.

Would those programs not want to see the certificate by match time? If not, I stand corrected.

 

[rokshana]

First, I assume you mean April 2015... You will likely not be able to match without having your ECFMG certificate. You have to have it before you can start and if you finish at the end of April, that gives 2 months for everything to get processed for you to start. That's not likely enough time. You have to have your medical license to be able to start as well and that takes time. You're most likely looking to match in 2016 instead of 2015. Perhaps your school can allow you to delay graduation and allow you to keep getting USCE time in.

that's not true…you are mixing up certified for verified…verification requires that you have passed all the steps with the exception of III…certification requires a diploma.

yes, there may be places that truly want ECFMG certification but the are not that large in number…thousands of I/FMGs get interviews, enter the match, and match without ECFMG certification….they just can't start a residency without it.

 

[rokshana]

Would those programs not want to see the certificate by match time? If not, I stand corrected.

no they don't…ECFMG certification doesn't really take that long after graduation…generally 2-3 weeks…if you end up graduating late in June, then yes, you could have issues, but overall its not that big of a deal.

if an applicant doesn't have verification by ROL time, then they are pulled from the match.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

that's not true…you are mixing up certified for verified…verification requires that you have passed all the steps with the exception of III…certification requires a diploma.

yes, there may be places that truly want ECFMG certification but the are not that large in number…thousands of I/FMGs get interviews, enter the match, and match without ECFMG certification….they just can't start a residency without it.

That makes sense then. Best of luck to the OP then for this coming up match.

 

[donaldduck]

Thank you all for your advice, it was extremely helpful! I think I'm just gonna submit my application to these places and hope for the best!