IMG Chance for Anesthesia?

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mazzynaqsh

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10+ Year Member
I could use all the feedback I could get about my chances for securing an Anesthesia Residency, I'd like to get into a good program, here are my stats:

IMG U.S. Citizens
Step 1: 228
Step 2: 238
CS: Passed
2 months clerkships at Mount Sinai and UC Davis
2 months observership at Hopkins
3 abstracts presented at my med school in India
1 paper published at my med school in India
currently research fellow in cardiac anesthesia at Hopkins; working on a paper with my PI
Graduated in 2010-April by the way

Anything I could add to my CV? I was thinking Step 3 and maybe some research experience from Hopkins where I work? Advice appreciated, thanks.
 
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No suggestions. You seem like a good candidate, but it will be much tougher next year as the number of American grads continues to increase and the number of residency positions stays essentially the same. Many US grads will go without a residency spot next year in the match.

The spots that IMG's have traditionally been taking will be more competitive as many more US allopathic, osteopathic, Caribean, and IMG's will be trying for those same spots.

Good luck!
 
thanks, id like to compete with U.S. medical students at these top level programs, but I think its impossible to do that, the only way I could do that is through my research right now, my board scores are just average, nothing stellar. But I have done a clerkship in Pain medicine, LOR's from anesthesiologists, and now research in Anesthesia...I mean that's commitment to Anesthesia right, got to count for something??
 
I don't want to burst your bubble but on the interview trail last year I met a few IMGs with step1s in the 250s-260s, good letters, research who applied to almost every program and were glad to have 9-10 interviews, none of which were at top programs. Obv this is just anecdotal and you do have a strong supplemental CV, but just note that you should probably temper your expectations a little (i.e. apply to med and gas) since 228 is right around the average for US seniors who matched into anesthesia.
 
definitely I don't expect to get into top notch programs, but I wonder how other IMG's do? A person I met where I work who is an IMG matched at Mass General Anesthesia this year with all the competition, so even though with all the competition that everybody talks about and IMG's being extinct like the dinosaurs, there are still some IMG's doing very well!
 
FMG from caribbean school with similar stats. I felt very fortunate to have 8 anesthesia interviews last year, that being said, I matched into the best program I interviewed at - it's not one of these top level programs that everyone talks about, but it's a solid program in the south with a good reputation. I think the key is having realistic expectations, planning for the worst, but still working towards your dream. If anesthesia is what you want, push for it and it will show in your interviews.

I really feel that Anesthesia is a field that interviews good coworkers. Once you get that interview, it will REALLY matter how personable you are, what your work ethic is and what your previous colleagues thought of you. Did you go the extra mile at your previous jobs?

I'm finishing my pre-lim medicine intern year and will be starting anesthesia in July at my program. I had so many people tell me that it would never happen and that I should just apply to something "more realistic" - while those people mean well, take their advice with a grain of salt.

Apply broadly, be proactive (call coordinators to express interest- but don't be annoying), research your programs before you interview there, send thank you letters (I don't care what anyone else says about this - it makes you stand out) and keep working for that dream.

Good luck!
 
Reignmaker said:
I think the key is having realistic expectations, planning for the worst, but still working towards your dream. If anesthesia is what you want, push for it and it will show in your interviews.
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I couldn't agree more with this post. I too am a US caribbean grad, just matched into anesthesia this past year, not at a "high level" program but very solid and going to set me up to excel going forward which is what I was hoping for. I had very similar stats as the original poster with the aways and such, minus the publishing/presenting. I had 7 interviews, most of the other people I met on the interview trail with similar backgrounds as me had the same interview range as well and all but 1 of the people i know going for anesthesia got it.

Apply broadly, be proactive (call coordinators to express interest- but don't be annoying), research your programs before you interview there, send thank you letters (I don't care what anyone else says about this - it makes you stand out) and keep working for that dream.
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I think the most important thing is being proactive, as one PD told me, you have to set yourself apart, not being an AMG is one strike against you, don't think otherwise. I sent somewhere north of 60 emails to different programs expressing and re-expressing my interest, without badgering them. In the end it paid off as I interviewed/matched at a program that I'd made contact with because I knew I would be happy there and knew I had to be the one to create the opportunity...
 
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I would love to know what you guys think my chances are for applying to Anesthesiology.

IMG U.S. Citizen
Step 1: 219
Step 2: 244
CS: Passed
2 Years of Clinical Experience at Hopkins, Maryland, Univ. of Miami.
Outstanding LOR's from PD's of both Surgery and Anesthesia.
4 abstracts presented at U.S. national surgical conferences
4 published papers in U.S. Journals with an Impact factor of 5+
U.S. Military Veteran, 2 tours of combat, with multiple Military service medals.
1 year of Employment as a research scientist at the University of Maryland studying brain perfusion imaging.

Please advise as to what your opinion is and if I should apply to anesthesiology or not? Thank you so much in advance for being kind and responding...
 
Your chances are very good. Make sure you apply to bigger programs as well..

During interview - For any applicant - Any program will be happy to take you, if you are able to make them believe that they can work comfortably with you.

Sent from my GT-N8013
 
Aalupatti,

Thank you so much for your comment.. I appreciate it. What are your thoughts about the future of anesthesia? Pay-cuts? Lack of Jobs? CRNA run practices? DO you think there is a long term viability in the field?
Thanks,
D
 
being an FMG makes programs wonder whether you can talk english, fit in with customs, etc, even if you have phenomenal scores. Lots of PDs don't even look at everyone's complete application, if they have 200 AMGs they are happy to accept, then why even go through the FMGs. This is especially true if you don't have astronomical scores.

Since you have experience working in the US, make sure you use it. Have the people you work with call other programs and make sure they at least look at your application. Go to conferences and network. Have faculty that know you read through your application and personal statement to make sure it portrays you in the way you want to be portrayed.

Also, I would definitely recommend also applying to IM unless you would rather do an extra year of research than do IM.
 
Thanks Wicked for the advise.. I actually have over 2 years of research experience and will prob not do more research until residency or maybe after. I hope that my unique work experience conveys a significant amount of interest in order to at least interview.
 
@TraumaResearch- uve got a great CV; when did you graduate from medical school? that might be your only negative factor I think
 
Sorry to drag up an old topic. Would appreciate any advice from people in the know.

I'm a UK graduate, doing my intern year in the UK (kinda like a transitional year: four months IM, four months surgery, four months ED)

Get my stats out the way:

Graduated 2012, top decile.
Step 1: 234, CS Pass, CK 254, Step 3 234
Two months of IM Sub-Is
3 US LORs and 1 UK LOR
Will need a visa.

Basically, I love anesthesia. Was always going to apply for IM as the chances are better for an IMG but during my intern year here and exposure to anesthesia and critical care I have decided I had better try chasing my dreams. I've had a look at the Match statistics and had a look at a few programs, but any input would be appreciated. Is there anywhere specifically to shoot for, anywhere to avoid? Any tidbits of advice would be great 🙂
 
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