IMG 7 years since graduation. Is there a chance I get matched in IM programs?

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seliac

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I got 241 in step 1 passed cs still have ck to do. When I apply it will be 7 years since I ve graduated

A friend of mine told me I ll be filtered out automatically because of my YOG and I am basically wasting my time and money.

Is it over for IMGs who have graduated > 5 years ago? What do you think?

Thanks
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seliac said:
When I apply it will be 7 years since I ve graduated
...Is it over for IMGs who have graduated > 5 years ago? What do you think?
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Generally this is very bad for you, but it depends on what you've been up to in the meantime (like, are you working as a doctor in another country?). So why will it be 7 years, and was your prior post accurate:

seliac said:
I graduated in June 2015.
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hamstergang said:
Generally this is very bad for you, but it depends on what you've been up to in the meantime (like, are you working as a doctor in another country?). So why will it be 7 years, and was your prior post accurate:
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I am a GP in a clinic in my country but I didn't do residency.

No 2015 was when I finished my internship.
 
Unless you have some personal connection with a program or are a research powerhouse, you have a very low likelihood of being successful. There have been almost 2 entire cycles of medical school graduates in the meantime and nearly all of that basic clinical knowledge is probably gone. That’s a good Step score but you’re probability 3-4 years too late.
 
seliac said:
I got 241 in step 1 passed cs still have ck to do. When I apply it will be 7 years since I ve graduated

A friend of mine told me I ll be filtered out automatically because of my YOG and I am basically wasting my time and money.

Is it over for IMGs who have graduated > 5 years ago? What do you think?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It’s gonna be hard. Many programs simply will not accept someone that far out and often have hard cutoffs.

If you truly want to practice medicine of some kind in the USA, you need to apply to every rural, low desirability, small community IM program possible to even have a small chance of matching. Applying FM simultaneously may help. Regardless, would consider alternative career plan as well. The only people I know who matched after that long a gap had huge research careers that really were fruitful and helped them land good residencies

Leverage your connections as well if you have any
 
not true.I know IMG who have yog greater than 5 years who matched at university IM programs without a stellar background. They had some research but nothing impressive. The key is to apply to new IM programs, as most "higher tier" applicants tend to steer clear of new programs as inherently there are many risks of new programs.
 
I think you might be successful if you target FM and community IM programs in less desirable locations...
 
You have a fair chance if you don't need a visa. I was 10 yr out when I matched in IM at my 2nd match attempt. (However, I was PGY-5 in surgery in UK). The key is don't score below 240 on exams, do step 3 as well if you can. Scores above 240 will minimize the filters for you.
 
abc2019 said:
not true.I know IMG who have yog greater than 5 years who matched at university IM programs without a stellar background. They had some research but nothing impressive. The key is to apply to new IM programs, as most "higher tier" applicants tend to steer clear of new programs as inherently there are many risks of new programs.
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Of course there are exceptions and anecdotes, if 99 out of 100 people with 7 YOG behind them are rejected in the match that 1 person if you know them isn’t great evidence that it’s a reproducible option for many.

IM is probably out, except for new rural programs most likely. FM is the best bet. It’s a huge long shot overall.
 
Anything can happen. In my program, out of 12 FM interns, 2 have YOG > 5 years (both practiced medicine in their respective country). Just do your homework and apply wisely.
Best of luck
 
Roce33 said:
You have a fair chance if you don't need a visa. I was 10 yr out when I matched in IM at my 2nd match attempt. (However, I was PGY-5 in surgery in UK). The key is don't score below 240 on exams, do step 3 as well if you can. Scores above 240 will minimize the filters for you.
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Thats inspiring. Unfortunately I need a visa
 
AdmiralChz said:
Of course there are exceptions and anecdotes, if 99 out of 100 people with 7 YOG behind them are rejected in the match that 1 person if you know them isn’t great evidence that it’s a reproducible option for many.

IM is probably out, except for new rural programs most likely. FM is the best bet. It’s a huge long shot overall.
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Isn't FM more competitive than IM?
 
Competitiveness

Path < FM < Peds < IM ~ Neurology < PM&R < Psych ~ Anesthesia < EM
 
Hello everyone! I hope all of you are doing great. I have same problem as my YOG is 7 years and i have 243 on step1, 264 on step 2 ck , CS first attempt and 238 on step 3. I have 3 years of internal medicine residency in my home country and now working in internal medicine in Europe.I have three very strong letters from english speaking country in Europe and one strong letter from my US.i have 3 interviews so far.Any chances.?
 
I was speaking to someone who graduated 15 years ago and practiced for several years in their country but presumable has not had US direct clinical experience at least since 2010. Is there any hope for them?
 
b52bomber said:
I was speaking to someone who graduated 15 years ago and practiced for several years in their country but presumable has not had US direct clinical experience at least since 2010. Is there any hope for them?
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If they really want to come for residency here, they need new USCE.
 
Just because someone is out for a while doesn’t mean they can’t succeed I. Residency especially if they have taken the boards recently. We like to make residency seem like some rocket science ****. Here we are fighting with mid levels and they basically do what a resident does after 2 years of Pa school. Stop this bs. Just say we prefer newer grads but don’t down play what a candidate who graduated med school but has been out. If they are are out with no recent clinical or something to show they are up to speed then yeah.
 
Slatches said:
Just because someone is out for a while doesn’t mean they can’t succeed I. Residency especially if they have taken the boards recently. We like to make residency seem like some rocket science ****. Here we are fighting with mid levels and they basically do what a resident does after 2 years of Pa school. Stop this bs. Just say we prefer newer grads but don’t down play what a candidate who graduated med school but has been out. If they are are out with no recent clinical or something to show they are up to speed then yeah.
Click to expand...

wut?!
 
You will require show-casing (audition rotation) for at least 5 programs and demonstrate to them and be able to impress them clinically and be a good co-worker.
It's an uphill battle since most programs will have a hard filter >5-6 years from graduation, but it's doable.
 
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