How to assure I get a residency match as an IMG?

[DipreSantana]

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I'm Dominican, and I start med school here in DR in Jan, and I'd like to have a plan for everything before I start school. So I was wondering, what do I need to do to make sure I can get a match somewhere in Texas for IM, I'd like to be a hospitalist. I'm asking in regards to things like scores, extra curricular activities, basically anything that can help me.

I'm a US citizen, and I speak English and Spanish fluently, and I want to know, what's a real, conservative estimate for what a hospitalist gets paid, I've Googled it, some sites say $130K some say $270K.

I want any and all advice that can help me succeed, so any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Isoprop]

Most hospitalists are internists or FP. These are pretty non-competitive residencies which have scramble spots open every year. So as long as you apply widely and not just TX IM programs, you will match somewhere. Since you don't plan to specialize, a community IM program anywhere would probably be your best bet.

 

[Catalystik]

I want to know, what's a real, conservative estimate for what a hospitalist gets paid, I've Googled it, some sites say $130K some say $270K.

My neighbor's son got $250K as a hospitalist his first year out of an small community IM residency. (n=1 isn't much help though.)

 

[Instatewaiter]

For the most part, hospitalists make between 150-200 depending on how many shifts you take and whether you are a nocturnalist or just work during the day.

 

[gravitywave]

as an IMG, the presumption among many programs will be that your education was inferior to that at a LCME program. this makes the USMLE very important for you - you must shoot for >220 on both Steps. not that you can't get in with a lower score, but you'll have an uphill battle matching if you don't. just because there are open slots for IM/FM every year doesn't mean that every IMG applicant got one who wanted one.

from what I understand, doing a rotation at a US program is also very important, but that's as far as I go. this thread, however, is full of win: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=404764

good luck.

 

[DipreSantana]

All of you, thanks, and yes, I will try to get a few US rotations in, when would be the optimal time to take the USMLE Step 1?

 

[Catalystik]

A good time to take the Step I is soon after completing the (usually two) years of basic sciences.