IMG Patho

[Melanocyte]

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Hello everyone, I need some guidance. I am an IMG, dermatologist in my home country. I have two years of US research experience in top-notch molecular biology institute and a solid research background. I got 99 on step 1 and 2, passed CS and Step3. I'm thinking of applying to pathology. I don't have US clinical experience. What's my chance of getting matched in a university based well known institute and how can I improve my chance? Does pathology observership matter? Any comment is appreciated.

 

[Ntzach]

Observerships matter a lot!
That's how you will get strong LORs and get involved in the system.
Try to do 3 months at least.
Publications are important too.
Being IMG is a disadvantage, it's true, but if you add these 2 things plus those credentials, you will have little troubles getting matched in a great program. Remember interview is crucial!!! More than you Think
Good luck.

 

[Melanocyte]

Thank you Ntzach for your useful answer. I'll try to find an observership.

 

[LaBelleVN]

I concur with Ntzach. Your scores and research background will be a plus. I do not know where you are currently residing or whether you are geographically-restricted. However, my old program (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA) took an IMG who was a dermatologist in her home country. She did fine and was well-liked. You may want to look into it: http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/pathology/education/index.cfm

 

[sirenomelia]

Below are two links to observership opportunities. The only one I am formally familiar with is from the second link at MD Anderson.

http://www.inforesidency.com/Observership.html
http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/education-and-training/index.html

 

[KCShaw]

Agree with doing an observership/elective type thing in a pathology department; I don't know that 3 months is necessary, but certainly 1-2, and if you're on your own time (i.e., not in medical school like most people who seem to ask this question) then more is good too. You can also use that time to begin to feel out your chances of getting interviews/matching/getting an out-of-match offer, etc. One of the recurring themes is that pathology residency programs need to know that you understand what you're getting into with pathology because it is so different from other parts of medicine and because most medical schools utterly fail at teaching anything about those differences. Having a good Step I is a big help, but being an IMG and having a somewhat nontraditional background may hurt (but will also help you stand out and be memorable, so it cuts both ways).

 

[Ntzach]

Agree with doing an observership/elective type thing in a pathology department; I don't know that 3 months is necessary, but certainly 1-2, and if you're on your own time (i.e., not in medical school like most people who seem to ask this question) then more is good too. You can also use that time to begin to feel out your chances of getting interviews/matching/getting an out-of-match offer, etc. One of the recurring themes is that pathology residency programs need to know that you understand what you're getting into with pathology because it is so different from other parts of medicine and because most medical schools utterly fail at teaching anything about those differences. Having a good Step I is a big help, but being an IMG and having a somewhat nontraditional background may hurt (but will also help you stand out and be memorable, so it cuts both ways).

I would say in 2-3 months you will grasp how a pathology department works, the first weeks everything will seem new and full of new terminology, so if you would like to be part of that specific program it wouldn't be a bad idea to get used to the way they work doing an Observership with them, ask for one! Also look for a place where some of the Faculty came from your country.

 

[Torsed]

Why not apply to Dermatology positions?

 

[Melanocyte]

Why not apply to Dermatology positions?

Thanks for bringing this up because I think this is the most important and the toughest question someone like me faces during interviews and still I'm not sure what is the best way to convince PDs. anyway, I'm not applying to derm because (1) I had a four months derm path rotation during my residency and I enjoyed it even more than clinical work, (2) I've been doing cell biology research for two years and I hope I'd be able to put that experience into use, which I think a pathologist do more of these sort of research than a dermatologist (3) derm is too competitive and I think getting a position in a university hospital is very unlikely and being in an elite institute is important for me cause I want to stay in academics, (4) as an IMG I think I'd be more successful in a specialty not directly involved in patient care. If you think my reasoning is weak or lousy I'd appreciate any criticism.

 

[KeratinPearls]

Thanks for bringing this up because I think this is the most important and the toughest question someone like me faces during interviews and still I'm not sure what is the best way to convince PDs. anyway, I'm not applying to derm because (1) I had a four months derm path rotation during my residency and I enjoyed it even more than clinical work, (2) I've been doing cell biology research for two years and I hope I'd be able to put that experience into use, which I think a pathologist do more of these sort of research than a dermatologist (3) derm is too competitive and I think getting a position in a university hospital is very unlikely and being in an elite institute is important for me cause I want to stay in academics, (4) as an IMG I think I'd be more successful in a specialty not directly involved in patient care. If you think my reasoning is weak or lousy I'd appreciate any criticism.

I think Derm is close to impossible for IMGs unless you come here to the States and do research for several years, have connections or you are a MD/PhD. I know US graduates that do research for a few years and still cant get in.