how to get into PS being a GS resident ?

[DocHawk]

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Hello everybody,

I have a question, hope you guys can help me out with this.

I am an IMG, a graduate of 2005. I did 2 prelim years in General surgery and now have started G.S , PGY-2 as a categorical resident. I am on J1 visa. I have a very good standing in my program which is a prestigious instituition in Mid west.

My question is do i stand any chance to get into PS residency ? integrated programs are out of question since they are too competitive for an IMG and also because of my visa issues.

How does things look like for PS match after 3 years of G.S residency for an IMG ?

My stats are :

1. 92 (228), 92 (228), Pass, 85 (206)
2. Loads of medical voluntary work, ex president of a welfare organization in a 3rd world country
3. Author of a medical book published in south asia
4. 200 surgical procedures as surgeon junior
5. Excellent recommendations from General surgeons in US, they literally love me.
6. No research experienc in PS.

My parent program offers fellowships and do not interview for PGY-4 spots.

My last question is how can i find a list of program which interview candidate of PGY-4 position ?


Thanks everybody

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

Not exactly my cup of tea but I'll try and help.

I think the new requirements are that a resident complete three years of training at the same hospital before they are eligible for fellowship. You didn't mention where you did your prelim years relative to your now categorical location, so that might be worthwhile to tell folks.

Hopefully others will help answer the rest of your questions better once you've answered the above question

 

[Winged Scapula]

Not exactly my cup of tea but I'll try and help.

I think the new requirements are that a resident complete three years of training at the same hospital before they are eligible for fellowship. You didn't mention where you did your prelim years relative to your now categorical location, so that might be worthwhile to tell folks.

Hopefully others will help answer the rest of your questions better once you've answered the above question

The ABS requirements, to be BE, are that you cannot have trained at more than 3 different programs; otherwise you are required to do some remedial training. I assume most 2 yr PRS programs require that you be BE. Sounds like the OP may still be eligible. http://home.absurgery.org/default.jsp?policynumberofprograms&ref=policycredforeign

However, it sounds as if the OP is thinking he can get into PRS after 3 years of general surgery, as a PGY-4. That used to be the case - I don't know of any programs that effectively accept PGY 4s any more; that changed several years ago.

IMHO you have to complete the full 5 years of GS, be BE and apply for 2 year PRS programs during your PGY4 year. I"m sure some of the PRS residents will let us know if ANY programs are still taking non-BE residents who didnt' complete GS training.

 

[JackADeli]

...I am an IMG, a graduate of 2005. I did 2 prelim years in General surgery and now have started G.S , PGY-2 as a categorical resident. I am on J1 visa. I have a very good standing in my program which is a prestigious instituition...

My question is do i stand any chance to get into PS residency ?

...How does things look like for PS match after 3 years of G.S residency for an IMG ?

My stats are :

1. 92 (228), 92 (228), Pass, 85 (206)
5. Excellent recommendations from General surgeons in US...
6. No research experienc in PS....

Not a plastics person, only known and dealt with folks in or trying to get into PRS....

First, I think based on the information you provided, you have overcome the primary hurdle of getting into a respected categorical position. It is quite possible that doing a US well respected GSurgery residency fairly eliminates the issue of IMG.... but, the visa issue may cause that point to resurface. Also, the issue is where have your GSurgery training taken place? Were your prelim years at the same place as your categorical. That would by far give more weight to any letters and/or support from your program.

Second, I can't speak to your scores, not sure what they are or what they mean.

Third, I eliminated from your quote the other numbered items as I doubt they will carry any weight or support for your application. It is much like the DOs that list their DO scores. Most MD programs have no basis to weigh or compare them. Thus is the same with your international efforts and/or publications.

Fourth, the lack of US or any research will likely hurt you. It is a very competitive market, especially any "shortcut" programs. Add to that, you will be requiring a program to meet some visa issues.

I think the best thing for you would be to complete your "prestigous" GSurgery residency. That would be the best way to improve your chances. Further, work closely with the PRS attendings at said program and try to do some clinical research with them. This will give you a US track record that can be appreciated by US programs.

Finally, it may be politically incorrect, but what are your English communication skills? Surprisingly, a British accent may help, but most others won't. If you have some difficulties with others understanding your speach or have a heavy accent, you may want to purchase some of the DVD programs that can help improve pronunciation and/or soften an accent. Look at it this way, US undergrads always hated having the "TA that can't speak clear English". I doubt an interviewer will not have similar concerns.

JAD

 

[maxheadroom]

I'm a grad of an integrated program, so you can take my information with a grain of salt . . .

If you want to transition to Plastics as a PGY-4, you must do it at the same institution where your preliminary training was completed. No more applying to other programs and transferring during G-Surg.

Very few programs will consider someone (internal) who hasn't completed their G-Surg training -- there are simply too many BE people out there who are high quality applicants.

I don't think you'll find anyone looking at your USMLE scores beyond the necessary PASS . . . your ABSITE scores are an entirely different matter. Those will be used to weed out strong versus weak test-takers.

I'll agree with the others. If the program at your current institution won't take you as a PGY-4, then you need to complete General Surgery, get good ABSITE scores, get a couple of Plastics projects done, and network-network-network with your local PRS guys to get them to help you out when the time comes.

Best of luck.

 

[DocHawk]

Thanks everybody.

My scores are step 1 = 226 (92 percentile), step 2 = 228 (92 percentile) and step 3 = 206 (84)

Secondly, i did my first prelim year in Houston and then 2 yrs at my current institution, which is a university program in Midwest, so my total surgery training of 6 yrs will be at 2 institutions.

I am planning to apply for PGY-4 spots once i am done with my 3rd year at the same instituition.

My english language is quite good, no problems from that stand point. It will be hilarious if i start working on my English "accent" as a PGY-2 when i hardly have enough time to sleep and read. Anyway i get your point.

Another question is will I be BE finishing PGY-4 in my institution since i have an extra year of training (provided that i have the required number of cases) ??

Any more comments girls & guys ????

 

[maxheadroom]

No, you won't be BE after your PGY-4 year unless your program counted your prelim intern year and started you out as a PGY-2.

 

[DocHawk]

No, you won't be BE after your PGY-4 year unless your program counted your prelim intern year and started you out as a PGY-2.

Thanks Max. I appreciate your help.

This is what i have concluded:

1. Get research / publications in PSR
2. Become BE in General surgery
3. Get visa stuff taken care off before applying
4. Reasonable board scores > 70th percentile
5. Make contacts as much as i can in my program
6. Decent recommendations from PRS / G.S attendings
7. Stop thinking about applying for PGY-4 positions.

Best of luck everybody.