IMG plus PhD = US ortho residency?

[DrL]

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I've got a question that I was hoping some on this forum may be able to shed some light on.

I'm a US-Australian dual citizen, and I'm thinking about returning to Australia for medical school, and possibly completing a PhD while there.
My question is this - If i was to try to return to the US, would having a PhD be a help when competing against US medical school grads applying for an ortho residency? (assuming my USMLE scores are up to snuff)

any info you've got would be appreciated

thanks

 

[DrL]

anyone?

 

[Leukocyte]

Ortho likes US grads. IMHO, a PhD (especially if it also not from the US) will not help your application that much. For an IMG, I think, high USMLE scores, good US LORs, and US clinical experience are more important than a PhD (from a non-US school).

 

[OSU03]

I really think that being an IMG will hurt your application, even though it will be from Australia. And the PhD will help, but again, it will be more difficult.

If your ultimate goal is to do ortho here in the US, you really should try to go to a US med school. The question is why you want to go back to Australia for med school. If it is cheaper, then you should still go to a US school because you'll make your money back in a few years here. So cost should never be an issue. If it is family stuff, then that is personal and you have to make your own decision.

Also, you are talking about a minumum commitment of about 7 years if you do a PhD, and more likely 9 years. Lots can change in that amount of time.

Bottom line, my take on this whole thing (and it's just my opinion), is:

US MD > IMG MD/PhD > IMG MD

and even

US MD (avg Step 1) > IMG MD/PhD (good Step 1)

Look at your long term goals and do what you need to do to get there. The problem is knowing what your goals will ultimately be 8 years from now.