Getting over IMG hurdle

[alphahelix]

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I recently got in touch with a doctor who is a former grad. at SGU. She went to USC for her residency and now she has her own practice in Orange County, Ca. And she said,

"You
have to take special tests likethe TOEFL and pay the ECFMG for all
sorts
of dues before you are cleared for training in the US. Being an IMG
also
make it hard for you to get your license in California. You have to
wait
until after 2 years of residency to get your CA license, whereas DOs
and
US grads can after one year."

Any of you former grads or current student from SGU or Ross care to share your opinions on these issues?

Thanx 😀

 

[Brian Pavlovitz]

The TOEFL is no longer required for SGU students (Step 2CS apparently takes care of this for you). Perhaps California has an additional requirement that I'm not aware of? I'm pretty sure the cost of the exams are the same for everyone, but honestly, I don't know for sure.

Getting licensure in California is a bit strange, and requires more paperwork during your core rotations. In addition, you must do an elective during your 4th year in family practice at an institution that has an ACGME-accredited residency in that program. As far as the number of years are concerned, I'm not sure about that; you would have to visit the California medical board web site. She may be talking about when you can register and take Step 3. If that's the case, you can register to take the exam in another state. It's very strange.

For example, some states will only allow IMG's to register to take Step 3 after 3 years of residency, while others allow them to take it after only one year. You simply register to take the exam in one of those states, but I believe end up taking it at your normal testing site, no matter the state. This sounds very confusing, and it is, and I must admit that I may not have this information correct! This is only what others have told me.

 

[JPagan]

What residency did she do at USC? IM or something else? I would like to hear more about her... did you talk to her about how she matched into it? I have heard that sometimes for California you have to sit out of the match for a year or something in order to get your "california letter" To the OP, share any more info you have about her because it is really good stuff to know...

 

[Mom2five]

Yes, an academic advisor would sure be nice!

 

[McGillGrad]

Yes, an academic advisor would sure be nice!

Are the ones at Ross helpful?

 

[Mom2five]

Are the ones at Ross helpful?

That's funny... really!!!!

 

[alphahelix]

The TOEFL is no longer required for SGU students (Step 2CS apparently takes care of this for you). Perhaps California has an additional requirement that I'm not aware of? I'm pretty sure the cost of the exams are the same for everyone, but honestly, I don't know for sure.

Getting licensure in California is a bit strange, and requires more paperwork during your core rotations. In addition, you must do an elective during your 4th year in family practice at an institution that has an ACGME-accredited residency in that program. As far as the number of years are concerned, I'm not sure about that; you would have to visit the California medical board web site. She may be talking about when you can register and take Step 3. If that's the case, you can register to take the exam in another state. It's very strange.

For example, some states will only allow IMG's to register to take Step 3 after 3 years of residency, while others allow them to take it after only one year. You simply register to take the exam in one of those states, but I believe end up taking it at your normal testing site, no matter the state. This sounds very confusing, and it is, and I must admit that I may not have this information correct! This is only what others have told me.

Thanx Brian


I'll try to contact her again and get more info and share it on this thread
She's in Family Practice now so I'd think she probably did her residency in Family Med. @ USC

Donny

 

[NRAI2001]

Thanx Brian


I'll try to contact her again and get more info and share it on this thread
She's in Family Practice now so I'd think she probably did her residency in Family Med. @ USC

Donny

Looking at the match lists there are always a few peolpe from SGU,ROSS< and AUC who match into USC, UC SD, UCI and a few other competitive schools in Ca. How did they do this? Was it purely bc of good grades and USMLE or did they have some kinda of connection back there (i.e. a parent that works at USC...etc)?

Some people also match into competitive university programs in other states also, how did they accomplish this also? Can good grades, rotations, and good usmle score over come the fmg stigma.

 

[ny skindoc]

Looking at the match lists there are always a few peolpe from SGU,ROSS< and AUC who match into USC, UC SD, UCI and a few other competitive schools in Ca. How did they do this? Was it purely bc of good grades and USMLE or did they have some kinda of connection back there (i.e. a parent that works at USC...etc)?

Some people also match into competitive university programs in other states also, how did they accomplish this also? Can good grades, rotations, and good usmle score over come the fmg stigma.

All of the above.Excellent grades,boards will open doors.If you are from CA and have rotated through programs and were well liked ..that will open doors.
In addition many in carib schools have had extensive experience before med school in medical related fields (ie pharmacy,research,EMT etc) at some of these hospitals,they have solid connections and are able to use them to obtain residencies. Much of what happens in life relates to "who you know".Also some types of residencies are much easier to get than others.. even in CA.

 

[NRAI2001]

All of the above.Excellent grades,boards will open doors.If you are from CA and have rotated through programs and were well liked ..that will open doors.
In addition many in carib schools have had extensive experience before med school in medical related fields (ie pharmacy,research,EMT etc) at some of these hospitals,they have solid connections and are able to use them to obtain residencies. Much of what happens in life relates to "who you know".Also some types of residencies are much easier to get than others.. even in CA.

What type of residencies are considered easier to get?

 

[richmond_repn]

What type of residencies are considered easier to get?

internal medicine, psychiatry, family practice pretty much all primary care residencies are the easiest to get into

 

[NRAI2001]

internal medicine, psychiatry, family practice pretty much all primary care residencies are the easiest to get into

How difficult would it be for an FMG to get into a non small hospital/ community based program? To get into a larger program that may offer fellowship programs in house after completion of residency?

What about their fellowships afterwards?

 

[McGillGrad]

How difficult would it be for an FMG to get into a non small hospital/ community based program? To get into a larger program that may offer fellowship programs in house after completion of residency?

What about their fellowships afterwards?

If you do well on step 1 (230+) and have strong LOR's then university IM programs will take a qualified IMG and that is what leads to a good fellowship.

 

[NRAI2001]

If you do well on step 1 (230+) and have strong LOR's then university IM programs will take a qualified IMG and that is what leads to a good fellowship.

Cool 👍

Would it be possible to come back to university IM programs in Ca? I don't think i saw anyone returning back to any in Ca on ROSS and SGU placement lists?