IMG chances at a top-tier program?

[Shaf1234shaf]

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I already posted this in another SDN forum but got zero responses so far, so I hope i'll have better luck over here 🙂 Indeed, this is another "evaluate my chances" thread - any help or advice would be appreciated.
The short version: Is there any point in aiming for top-tire residency programs in pediatrics (CHOP, Johns Hopkins, Mass General, Cincinnati, UCSF etc.) for a non-US citizen IMG?

While i'm not a US citizen myself, my medical school does mangage to "produce" each year a few dozens of US-citizen graudates who succeed in matching into semi-competitive residency programs. My school has excellent matching rates in comparison to other non-US based schools. As for myself - I have a good step 1 score (>260) but step 2 is still down the road. I have volunteer experience (working primarly with underprivileged children and teenagers, not medical-oriented though) and some "para" pediatric/medical work experience that might be relevant as well. I still have 2.5 years to go until graduation that I plan to focus on gaining research experience and hopefully publishing something as well. I haven't finished my core rotations yet so obviously I don't have any elective US clinical experience under my belt at the moment.
Given all that - is aiming for a top-tier hospital feasible or are these options closed-off completely for foreigners? If indeed the possibility exists my next question is: it seems that many IMGs have good USMLE scores / USCE / high-quality research experience - what gives an IMG the proper "edge" thats makes him "stand out" in your opinion?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

 

[doctr1]

I am participating in the peds match this year, I am non-US IMG, although my step 1 score is way lower than yours, but I think I can speak about my experience.

Your Step 1 score is obviously impressive, but none of the top universities you mentioned by looking to their residents' list in their website, they matched an IMG! at least in the past 5 years if I am not mistaken. I am sure they had applicants with scores like yours. I think it depends a lot on where did you do your medical school, because I can notice that Canadian>European>Caribbean graduates have better chance to match in general. Your next step is to score the same in Step 2 CK, to have US clinical experience as an elective rotations and secure good letters from them.

Regarding your question "what gives an IMG the proper "edge" thats makes him "stand out" in your opinion", I had the same question when I was in med school, but I can answer that now with total confidence that actually no body knows! simply because different programs, even different program directors on the same program on different times always have different opinions on selecting their residents.

You are on the right track, if you do well with the other exams, and secured good letters from US rotations, I am sure you land somewhere BIG, not necessarily CHOP or Hopkins, but somewhere good enough to make CHOP or Hopkins easy for a fellowship 🙂.

Good luck.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Your chances at the 5 USNews highest rated programs (which are not necessarily the ones in your list) are very small, despite the Step 1 score. Anything is possible, but those programs don't need or want the hassle of dealing with VISA issues and IMGs as they don't need to. With the very high USMLE and good clinical evaluations, you have a solid chance at some excellent academic programs however. You will still need to apply broadly including some smaller and community programs as there are no guarantees for any of the larger or better known academic programs.

 

[Andreji]

Here's my perspective as an IMG, non-US citizen, current PGY3 at a top program.

There's a fair share of things that play into your possibilities but unfortunately luck is one of them. many fantastic IMGs (at least on paper) with scores as yours (I'll say your step 1 is higher than mine) fall through the cracks.

Aside from the obvious (good scores >245 i'd say, for peds; some research; much volunteering/leadership initiatives) that qualitatively grow your CV (worthwhile stuff), the two factors that, to my knowledge, consistently play a role in your likelihood of matching high are valuable US clinical experience (this cannot be overstated) and its derived letters of recommendations. These two can help you surmount even average scores when it comes to getting a foot in the door.

Some things you just can't change (ie, CHOP requires 1yr of US training, or, in other words, "don't waste your time") but several top programs have slowly started to follow Cincinnati's lead in at least interviewing IMGs- Boston has occasionally taken some (and are interviewing more this season from what I've heard), so are places such as Denver and if not mistaken either Cbus or Chicago. Mind you, of course, the one-off lucky guy/gal comes from a pool of several hundred worthy applicants- which is why I mention luck as another thing you can't change. Put into perspective, OBP is right- chances are very small but they're there, if that serves to encourage you some.

Another thing you can't change that I've noted is that programs also tend to prefer candidates from certain regions or medical schools that they either 1)are familiar with or 2)can expect medical training to have a good proportion of clinical exposure, which is a regional challenge in certain places and makes for a harder-to-adapt resident.

Bear in mind, too, that the world does not end at the honor roll of "US News". there are some absolutely superb places (think Dallas, Wisconsin, Seattle, San Fran, DC, etc etc) not on that infamous list (many though on their way there) that are as good or better at training you and will get you into fellowship in whichever "top" place you'd fancy going after residency. Remember, though, fellowship is a different struggle guided by NIH funding and whatnot.