IMG and Caribbean scores viewed with more scrutiny because of extra study time?

[flatearth22]

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Is this part of the reason why FMG's and US Carib students have a harder time matching? Many of these students study hardcore for 4+ months just for Step 1. US MD students on the other hand usually only get 4-6 weeks to study after 2nd year while DO students also have to prepare for the COMLEX in the same amount of time. Often times, foreign med students also have completed their clinical rotations and electives and with Step 1 being more and more clinical they could have a greater advantage.

Are scores from such students looked down upon by program directors because of their extra studying time and extra clinical experience?

 

[dr seuss]

No.

 

[swamprat]

No.

Idk how you can just say no.. its probably a combination of things. Obviously they'll know your 230 is not going to be looked at as equal to a 230 from a US school for that particular reason but also many other factors including quality of rotations etc and the fact that if you can get a US MD why would u wanna take a foreign MD? Just my thoughts though.. idk if theres rlly an answer unless u ask PDers.

 

[1badvette]

Idk how you can just say no.. its probably a combination of things. Obviously they'll know your 230 is not going to be looked at as equal to a 230 from a US school for that particular reason but also many other factors including quality of rotations etc and the fact that if you can get a US MD why would u wanna take a foreign MD? Just my thoughts though.. idk if theres rlly an answer unless u ask PDers.

Dont take this the wrong way , i just looked at you forum name " Doxycycline" and the 1st thing that came to my mind was fecally eliminated .. 😀

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Is this part of the reason why FMG's and US Carib students have a harder time matching? Many of these students study hardcore for 4+ months just for Step 1. US MD students on the other hand usually only get 4-6 weeks to study after 2nd year while DO students also have to prepare for the COMLEX in the same amount of time. Often times, foreign med students also have completed their clinical rotations and electives and with Step 1 being more and more clinical they could have a greater advantage.

Are scores from such students looked down upon by program directors because of their extra studying time and extra clinical experience?

The scores aren't viewed with more scrutiny, their applications are. A 230 is a 230 no matter who got it, with how much time, or whatever. Step score is literally (pun intended) the first step into a residency interview. The fact that an applicant is an FMG is instantly more of a red flag than calling into question a step score.

So I agree. To answer you question: "are FMG step scores looked at with more scrutiny because of more study time?" No.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Dont take this the wrong way , i just looked at you forum name " Doxycycline" and the 1st thing that came to my mind was fecally eliminated .. 😀

First thing that comes to my mind is Chlamydia.

The second thing that comes to mind is Acne.

Then photosensitivity (which of course leads to Lupus)

I guess Fecally eliminated works too...

 

[Transposony]

Is this part of the reason why FMG's and US Carib students have a harder time matching? Many of these students study hardcore for 4+ months just for Step 1. US MD students on the other hand usually only get 4-6 weeks to study after 2nd year while DO students also have to prepare for the COMLEX in the same amount of time. Often times, foreign med students also have completed their clinical rotations and electives and with Step 1 being more and more clinical they could have a greater advantage.

Are scores from such students looked down upon by program directors because of their extra studying time and extra clinical experience?

You are ignoring the fact that the US Medical students have already been studying the subjects for almost two years and all they need to do is a revision & practice for which FA & UW works very well.
For IMGs the clinical experience works against them since what they have been practicing may not be the same practice or answer they want for step 1. Here, a clean slate has an advantage for US students.
Secondly, the basics are not very well taught to IMGs as compared to here where they are taught keeping USMLE in mind. So IMGs have to start from scratch.
At the end of the day, everyone knows the game and rules--take it or leave it.

 

[Lioness12]

Well, there is also a disadvantage for the IMGs. They might not have a strong grasp of the language; some are not well versed with computers; some have been out of med school for a while. Also, many are juggling families and finances in addition to taking the steps without the security of loans. In addition, AMGs are geared from day one to ace the tests. Point blank. That's all they do their entire medical school career. AMGs are given ample time off and resources to ace these tests. Foreign schools have a different methodology; majority are not geared to acing these kinds of tests. And the curriculum emphasizes areas that are obviously more common to their region.

Having said all this, if there were two candidates, an AMG and an IMG, that were equally qualified then of course the position would go to the AMG. Home grown talent should be recognized. It's a given. Also I've seen AMGs with mediocre scores getting into decent programs that IMGs, even with stellar scores, have no hope of getting into. So when you take all this into consideration, I don't think the scores are what really matter.

 

[juvowa]

I agree that it is easier for US med students. they know how the test work and they are being prepared for it for 2 years.
In Germany they have equally difficult test. students usually have 4-8 week to prepare for them.

Any US med student wanting to take these tests would have a disadvantage a) not being a native speaker/not familiar enough with medical terms b) the test having a different structure, which means your way of studying for questions needs to be different at times.

so yes, it's more difficult for non US students and they need more time to practice.

and the main reason why they have difficulties getting a job (Germans do not have a hard time as much as I know) is the fact that they need to be sponsored for a visa. so costs might play a role here. so yes, the advantage goes to the "home grown" even if his results were worse.
it only gets easy when you are willing to work in a rural area for 1 or 2 years. this also speeds up your process for a green card.

 

[copes]

I have heard from an attending at my school that they do take into account that IMG's have much more time to study for the step 1, so the score cutoff for them to get an interview is higher.

 

[Zzmed]

Here's what i think:

I don't know if PD's view IMG's scores with more scrutiny cause of extra study time. But we should keep in mind that IMG study in medical schools with way more different mentality than US students.This mentality thing goes to exams, way of studying, lectures even med student lifestyle... I believe PD's understand that...
That's why i believe that the whole thing goes way further than scores. Of course there are cut off scores... but you get my point...

 

[HopeTo99]

I agree with the above post.