FMGs getting any love?

[pathguy]

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I'm an FMG applying for path residency this cycle. I've applied to about 50 programs with a handful of rejections and only one interview. The rest of the hospitals have said natta! I think my stats are pretty solid (although now I'm not sure about anything).

Are any FMG's having the same experience?

If not, FMG's, I have a few questions:

1 - how would you rate your stats?

2 - when did you submitt your application?

3 - what kind of research background do you have?

4 - what experience do you have in the field?

I'll answer my own questions too:

1 - competitive
2 - early Oct
3 - unfortunately none!
4 - I work in a path lab

 

[deleted113029]

anencephalic is doing pretty well with interviews. just ask him. (what do you mean by competitive? around the average according to the latest NRMP stats?)

 

[pathguy]

anencephalic is doing pretty well with interviews. just ask him. (what do you mean by competitive? around the average according to the latest NRMP stats?)

step 1 lower nineties.

step 2 mid 80's

step 2cs pass on 2nd attempt

med school transcripts just one rank below the highest rank possible in our grading system.


where can i find these NRMP stats? This is actually the first I've heard of them...

 

[kingkong]

1 - how would you rate your stats?

2 - when did you submitt your application?

3 - what kind of research background do you have?

4 - what experience do you have in the field?


92/98/csa passed/step 3 next month

Applied September-10, 50 programs, sent out more at the end of oct(panicked)

MS in biomedical sciences,PhD candidate
4 publications in decent journals

AHH..no exp in path....but am trying to get an observership


only 3 interviews so far /8 rejections

 

[lucy01]

step 1 lower nineties.

step 2 mid 80's

step 2cs pass on 2nd attempt

med school transcripts just one rank below the highest rank possible in our grading system.


where can i find these NRMP stats? This is actually the first I've heard of them...

Your credentials are average at most.

 

[pathguy]

Your credentials are average at most.

Really? That's surprising only because current pathologists I speak to who were FMGs had much lower USMLE scores. I'm not trying to contest. I'd like to get a feel for the arena I'm in.

Where can I get stats on current applicants, or on last years entering residents?

 

[anencephalic]

I'm an FMG applying for path residency this cycle. I've applied to about 50 programs with a handful of rejections and only one interview. The rest of the hospitals have said natta! I think my stats are pretty solid (although now I'm not sure about anything).

Are any FMG's having the same experience?

If not, FMG's, I have a few questions:

1 - how would you rate your stats?

2 - when did you submitt your application?

3 - what kind of research background do you have?

4 - what experience do you have in the field?

I'll answer my own questions too:

1 - competitive
2 - early Oct
3 - unfortunately none!
4 - I work in a path lab

Well, I'm IMG and I've got four out of my top 10 programs and less than a handful of rejections thusfar. Declined 7 interviews and have 11 total lined up for my interview season.

To answer your questions:

1: Passed Steps 1, 2CK comfortably; passed CS
2: September 1st
3: Undergrad w/ publications; med school research in progress, pending publication
4: ASCP/AAPA certified Patholgists' Assistant with 9 years professional experience in surgical and autopsy pathology.

FYI, I didn't apply to any California or Boston-area programs. My preference tends to be more midwest and that's where the vast majority of my interviews are coming from.


Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[quant]

Your credentials are average at most.

Uncalled for

 

[uhoh!]

Your credentials are average at most.

Don't be a ...
If those are "average at most", mine were quite below par. And yet I did get some love from enough programs last year to make me feel comfortable. It really is a crapshoot, with the same applicant pool trying for pretty much the same programs. Not every program ends up with the 99/99/PhD/10 publications candidate, so I wouldn't lose sleep just yet..

PS- Quant!! What's up, big guy?! Great to see you up and at 'em this year..

 

[quant]

Don't be a ...
If those are "average at most", mine were quite below par. And yet I did get some love from enough programs last year to make me feel comfortable. It really is a crapshoot, with the same applicant pool trying for pretty much the same programs. Not every program ends up with the 99/99/PhD/10 publications candidate, so I wouldn't lose sleep just yet..

PS- Quant!! What's up, big guy?! Great to see you up and at 'em this year..

Hey UhOh great to see you bud!

How is life in residency? Is it all you expected to be?.... Yep I have just begun making the rounds this year (yet again!!). Finishing up step 3 seems to have had a marginal effect at best. Thanks for asking though...

Are you getting any time for metal stuff?

 

[Gene_]

Your credentials are average at most.

She's right. The credentials posted are average. Average AMG applicants in pathology get plenty of interviews, and seem to usually get a spot somewhere. Pathguy, I am surprised you haven't had more interview offers. On the other hand, FMG applicants are often passed over because they're on the wrong visa or their foreign medical school isn't on the approved list.

 

[bluesdude]

On the other hand, FMG applicants are often passed over because they're on the wrong visa or their foreign medical school isn't on the approved list.

They wouldn't have been able to take the exams if their school were not on the ecfmg list.

 

[mmed]

I'm an IMG matched last year.

1 – Step1&2 upper eighties, Passed Step3. All first attempts

2 - September 1st

3 – Five publications when I applied

4 – PhD Pathology, 10 years experience in surgical pathology.

Got 4 out of my top 10 programs, three backup interviews, matched in one of my top programs.

Other important factors in consideration beside many others
1- Visa status.
2- Which Foreign country.
3- Recommendation letters.


Good luck!!

 

[Gene_]

They wouldn't have been able to take the exams if their school were not on the ecfmg list.

Some individual states have their own list and trying to sign a resident who graduated from a non-approved school is an administrative nightmare.

 

[pathguy]

I'm an IMG matched last year.

1 – Step1&2 upper eighties, Passed Step3. All first attempts

2 - September 1st

3 – Five publications when I applied

4 – PhD Pathology, 10 years experience in surgical pathology.

Got 4 out of my top 10 programs, three backup interviews, matched in one of my top programs.

Other important factors in consideration beside many others
1- Visa status.
2- Which Foreign country.
3- Recommendation letters.


Good luck!!

Those are indeed important factors.

1. I'm a permanent resident (i.e. greencard issued)
2.
3. very good rec letters

 

[deschutes]

Fly-by thoughts sans malice:

As a (Canadian) FMG applicant 2 cycles ago, I agree - your scores and class rank are about average relative to the current trend.
Visa issues that trouble some FMGs aren't going to be a problem for you or the program you match at, so that's a plus.

Also, based on the limited information you have posted it sounds like you have been out from clinical medicine/med school awhile (? reflected in your 2nd attempt at Step 2 CS).

It would help if you have passed Step 3. Path residents in general occasionally have a problem with this last step.

 

[1Path]

It would help if you have passed Step 3. Path residents in general occasionally have a problem with this last step.

The FMG's I've worked with had to pass Step 3 to even be considered for an interview for Path residencies and both had been working as pathologists in their native countries (In South America) for years before.

 

[lucy01]

I am a fmg, got a pre-match last year from the program I love. My personal experience: as a fmg, you have to have a much stronger background either in surgical pathology or research (PhD, good publications) than AMGs. Visa status and reference letters are equally important. Otherwise why would a program take a fmg in stead of an AMG who is fresh out of med school and speaks perfect English? However, I do think that everybody has a chance. I just don't agree with Pathguy's rating of his credentials.
Best luck to all of you!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

She's right. The credentials posted are average. Average AMG applicants in pathology get plenty of interviews, and seem to usually get a spot somewhere. Pathguy, I am surprised you haven't had more interview offers. On the other hand, FMG applicants are often passed over because they're on the wrong visa or their foreign medical school isn't on the approved list.

See, that's the problem. There is a lack of honesty and realism and so much of this political correctness and so much sugarcoating on this board. It's quite laughable.

Yes, pathology has become more competitive and yes, the credentials posted are definitely average.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Life isn't fair.

Deal with it.

 

[fun8stuff]

step 1 lower nineties.

step 2 mid 80's

step 2cs pass on 2nd attempt

med school transcripts just one rank below the highest rank possible in our grading system.


where can i find these NRMP stats? This is actually the first I've heard of them...

what range of 3 digit score is equivalent to lower 90s

 

[rirriri]

The stereotypes are IMG vs FMG vs. AMG are all failed. I've met AMGs who are just awful...likewise i've met IMGs and FMGs who are awful as well. The world of terribleness knows no boundaries. Conversely i've met fantastic students of medicine who are AMGs, IMGs, whatever....judge people individually, rather than by stereotypes.

there are plenty of programs who are willing to take GOOD candidates...and they don't generalise about english, countries, etc..etc...they just take IMGs sometimes because they are better candidates. Find me a patient who says they don't want the best doctor they can get...or find me a lab that says they don't want the BEST doctor they can get......i dare you to find me one who says being the best isn't a priority.

FMG (non-US candidates) rates in Pathology have dropped...AMG rates have risen. IMG (US resident, schooled outside the US) rates are probably pretty consistent.

as for the person who posted their credentials...i believe he/she just said they were "solid"...they didn't say they were excellent or outstanding. I wouldn't say his/her credentials are amazing....but no need to argue over it..right? people should help others instead of just writing ass messages such as "average at best"....which just bleeds insecurity.

 

[rirriri]

I'm an FMG applying for path residency this cycle. I've applied to about 50 programs with a handful of rejections and only one interview. The rest of the hospitals have said natta! I think my stats are pretty solid (although now I'm not sure about anything).

Are any FMG's having the same experience?

If not, FMG's, I have a few questions:

1 - how would you rate your stats?

2 - when did you submitt your application?

3 - what kind of research background do you have?

4 - what experience do you have in the field?

to answer your questions:

i'm a pgy1.

1. my stats were average. 80s on steps...good grades in school.
2. application was submitted in early September
3. no lab research experience
4. had extracurricular histology experience in school and had shown alot of interest in pathology throughout school and rotations...consistently.

i personally feel that interviewing skills are very important and even getting a couple interviews is enough to land you a position, if you can really stand out during interview day.

 

[pathman2006]

1 - 80's on both steps/passed CS2
2 - Sep 1st
3 - None
4 - worked in a hospital lab

I found that emailing the program directors helped as well

A good site for me for all the PDs emails is pathologytraining.org

Good luck to you