Getting a Residency-Condensed version please!

[gc1983]

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hi,

please could someone give me the basic outline of the hoops i need to jump through, such as USMLE, Ecfmg,insurance, blah blah and all the rest which i need to get done before i can get a residency.im a international medstudent so i dont quite get all your abbreviations...also i want to do step 1 next summer 06...which books do i need...some people say get a few others have given me a list of books that i know i wont follow...in my experience i prefer fewer books but ones that are thorough..

thanks a lot.

 

[doc05]

you'll need to contact the ecfmg to get all the details. they are the organization that will "certify" that you are eligible for licensure, since you're from a non-US school. (www.ecfmg.org)

you'll need to take step1, 2-ck, and 2-CS to get certified by the ecfmg. step 1 is all basic science. I recommend the kaplan course (www.kaplanmedical.com) and kaplan q-bank for practice questions. other good sources are first aid for the usmle, the BRS books (esp path). depending on how far along you are from your basic science years, it'll take 1-6 months to adequately prepare. I don't know what exams are like in the UK, but I assume english is your native language, which will be an asset in this exam. it is as much about reading comprehension and time management as it is about your knowlege.

best of luck.

 

[ALMD2B]

something i wanted to add, is that you need to have some sort of "time" scale.....otherwise you'll end up losing years...

note that residencies in the US start in July. The whole process of applying begins in September of the previous year.
(ex/ to begin residency in July 2006, you will need to apply Sept 2005). Usually when you apply, you need to have 3 Letters of Recommendations (LORs) from faculty at your hospital where you did your clinical rotations. Minimally you need to have Step 1, but you should be in the process of taking Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) by Dec 2005. (dates are in reference to above). This is usually what applies to Internation Medical Graduates (IMGs), like yourself. You must include the application process of the exams and the exam results as well. For Step 1 and Step 2 the results usually take 4 weeks to arrive at your house. For Step 2 CS the results can take anywhere from 2-4 months. Also, you need to apply for a Step 2 CS position NOW, since the spots are filling up quickly. (April 2005 is the next available date).

Also, please note that applying is expensive (relative term, all quotes in USD). Factor in approx ~$650 for Step 1 and ~$650 for Step 2 CK. Step 2 CS is approx $1200. You must include travelling costs and review books/course costs.

Commonly used books🙁just do a search on www.amazon.com)
Step 1: First AID for Step 1, Pathophysiology for Boards and Wards, High Yield Series, BRS review series
Step2 CK: Crush Step 2, NMS review Q's, Boards and Wards for Step 2 and 3, Blueprint series.
Step 2 CS: Mastering the OSCE/CSA
Step 3: Crust Step 3, Boards and Wards for step 2/3, Strong Medicine

Note: that EVERYONE has a different opinion on books/reviews. You can solely go with Kaplan if you please. Also, www.usmleworld.com is another option.

Good luck, PM me if you have anymore Q's.

A.

 

[gc1983]

thanks for the advice,

im in the last year of basic sciences so im looking to do some kind of rotation when im in the 5th year which will be 2007! meanwhile is it good advice to just get some observerships under my belt? i dont need any insurance or stuff like that for the meantime do i ?