I need help planning for the match.

[derm83]

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1. Non-US international med student.
2. Step 1 230+/99
3. Passed Step CS
4. Will take Step 2 CK soon.
5. Graduation in June 09.
6. Hopefully will be ECFM-certified before September 09.
7. 2 months USCE in Internal medicine.
8. No publications.

I'd like to apply for Radiology and planning on doing Rads research starting in August 09. Here are the potions I can think of:

1. Apply massively in Sept 2009. Obviously, with the slim chances it seems like a waste of money.

2. Save the money and apply massively in Sept 2010, hopefully with 1 year of research and several publications under my belt.

3. Apply for Prelim in Sept 2009 and apply again for Rads while doing Prelim with 1 year of research under my belt.

4. Apply for Categorical IM in Sept 2009 and apply again for Rads while doing IM. I'm not sure, technically, how easy it will be to change specialties.

On another note, do you guys think 1 year of research will make me reasonably competitive?

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I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[MrBurns10]

1. Non-US international med student.
2. Step 1 230+/99
3. Passed Step CS
4. Will take Step 2 CK soon.
5. Graduation in June 09.
6. Hopefully will be ECFM-certified before September 09.
7. 2 months USCE in Internal medicine.
8. No publications.

I'd like to apply for Radiology and planning on doing Rads research starting in August 09. Here are the potions I can think of:

1. Apply massively in Sept 2009. Obviously, with the slim chances it seems like a waste of money.

2. Save the money and apply massively in Sept 2010, hopefully with 1 year of research and several publications under my belt.

3. Apply for Prelim in Sept 2009 and apply again for Rads while doing Prelim with 1 year of research under my belt.

4. Apply for Categorical IM in Sept 2009 and apply again for Rads while doing IM. I'm not sure, technically, how easy it will be to change specialties.

On another note, do you guys think 1 year of research will make me reasonably competitive?

​

I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks.

Personally, I think your best bets are going to be either applying widely this year or taking a year to do research. I wouldn't look at it as a waste of money in the grand scheme of things (especially if you land a spot). #3 probably isn't your best option because it'll be difficult to apply/interview while you're doing your prelim year. I wouldn't recommend #4 either, as you would essentially waste 3 years doing a residency in a field you don't want to be in and there will be significant funding issues when you apply to rads again (though I'm not positive non-US citizens are funded in the same way US citizens are).

I think you should go ahead and apply. The lack of research may hurt you some at academic programs but shouldn't hurt you at all for community programs. Then, if you don't get in, you'll have a year of research and hopefully publications under your belt for 2010. Just my opinion, though. Best of luck!

Edit: Another thought. Is there any way you could do your research in the US? It could give you a head start on getting a green card/citizenship. I'm not really sure how that all works, though.

 

[derm83]

Personally, I think your best bets are going to be either applying widely this year or taking a year to do research. I wouldn't look at it as a waste of money in the grand scheme of things (especially if you land a spot).

Thanks for your reply Mrburns. Applying broadly this year is definetly the easiest and most convenient option but being a competitive specialty is what really holds me back. Although you seem to be optimistic about my chances, I'm not sure how many people here would advise me to apply this year given my credentials. I hope I'm just underestimating my chances 🙂

Edit: Another thought. Is there any way you could do your research in the US? It could give you a head start on getting a green card/citizenship. I'm not really sure how that all works, though.

I was actually referring to doing research in teh states. I haven't contacted any place yet but this is what I plan on doing as soon as I have my plan set. I'm not sure how that will help get a green card though.