IMG Step I Score

[treva]

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Hey guys,

I wrote my USMLE Step I and I got my score report this morning - I got a 234 (aim was 240).

I'm shooting for surg, anesthetics, or ER. I've got a first author publication in the works which is going to be published in Jan / Feb 2010. Do you guys think I am competitive with a Step I score of 234?

Thanks!

 

[njbmd]

Hey guys,

I wrote my USMLE Step I and I got my score report this morning - I got a 234 (aim was 240).

I'm shooting for surg, anesthetics, or ER. I've got a first author publication in the works which is going to be published in Jan / Feb 2010. Do you guys think I am competitive with a Step I score of 234?

Thanks!

If residency programs accept IMGs, they usually state the USMLE two-digit score requirements on their websites. I can tell you that many programs especially the specialties that you are looking at above, are going to be a reach for an IMG since they have increased in popularity among American grads. You may have to look at the IM programs but many of them especially the university ones have Step I cutoffs for IMGs.

 

[McGillGrad]

If residency programs accept IMGs, they usually state the USMLE two-digit score requirements on their websites. I can tell you that many programs especially the specialties that you are looking at above, are going to be a reach for an IMG since they have increased in popularity among American grads. You may have to look at the IM programs but many of them especially the university ones have Step I cutoffs for IMGs.

From what I have seen from medicine PD's, the highest cutoff has been 90. The OP has a 98, so he should be fine.

The average IMG and US applicant step score for surgery is 225.

All that higher competitiveness means is that those with sub-221 scores are going to have a very hard time (if they have nothing spectacular in the rest of their application).

 

[njbmd]

From what I have seen from medicine PD's, the highest cutoff has been 90. The OP has a 98, so he should be fine.

The average IMG and US applicant step score for surgery is 225.

All that higher competitiveness means is that those with sub-221 scores are going to have a very hard time (if they have nothing spectacular in the rest of their application).

Don't kid yourself on this one. The ROAD specialties are very competitive for American grads let alone IMG/FMGs. I can definitely tell you that many, many surgery programs will not take and IMG/FMG grad regardless of scores.

Is it fair? No, but there is nothing particularly fair about getting into many residency programs.

 

[Captopril]

Don't kid yourself on this one. The ROAD specialties are very competitive for American grads let alone IMG/FMGs. I can definitely tell you that many, many surgery programs will not take and IMG/FMG grad regardless of scores.

Is it fair? No, but there is nothing particularly fair about getting into many residency programs.

I know at least a handful of IMGs who were fresh off the boat from India, got 235-245 on their Step I, did a few months of research at UCSF, and are currently in Radiology, Surgery, and Anesthesia programs in the UC system.

The name of the school on your degree counts for something, but not everything. The name at the bottom of your LORs can go a long way in this business.

 

[Cerberus]

I know at least a handful of IMGs who were fresh off the boat from India, got 235-245 on their Step I, did a few months of research at UCSF, and are currently in Radiology, Surgery, and Anesthesia programs in the UC system.

The name of the school on your degree counts for something, but not everything. The name at the bottom of your LORs can go a long way in this business.

If this is true, and I have met very very few FMGs in competitive specialties - especially in the UC system, then I think it is bs. There is a reason US grads have a leg up in the residency selection process. We are FROM this country and have trained in this country. IMGs/FMGs can be phenomenal doctors, but they should be selected to fill a gap in medical system, not push US grads into undesirable specialties.

 

[Captopril]

If this is true, and I have met very very few FMGs in competitive specialties - especially in the UC system, then I think it is bs. There is a reason US grads have a leg up in the residency selection process. We are FROM this country and have trained in this country. IMGs/FMGs can be phenomenal doctors, but they should be selected to fill a gap in medical system, not push US grads into undesirable specialties.

It's true..although now that I think back, the Anesthesia resident was from India but did her medical training in the US, so I guess that doesn't count. I see where you're coming from, however I think the PDs are thinking less politically and more along the lines of "who will do the job the best". If that turns out to be an IMG, then so be it. I assume this is the reasoning behind interviews and a selection process altogether...otherwise they'd have a predetermined school/score rank list set up and whoever fit those criteria the best would be selected.

 

[Cerberus]

It's true..although now that I think back, the Anesthesia resident was from India but did her medical training in the US, so I guess that doesn't count. I see where you're coming from, however I think the PDs are thinking less politically and more along the lines of "who will do the job the best". If that turns out to be an IMG, then so be it. I assume this is the reasoning behind interviews and a selection process altogether...otherwise they'd have a predetermined school/score rank list set up and whoever fit those criteria the best would be selected.

I think there are plenty of extremely capable US grads, especially going into the more competitive specialties. For the more competitive specialties, it should not be a problem to fill your classes with extremely bright, hard working people. One major problem I see with comparing IMGs/FMGs on equal ground with US Grads is that they often have months and months to prepare for STEP I&II whereas US grads have 3-4 weeks.

 

[Captopril]

I think there are plenty of extremely capable US grads, especially going into the more competitive specialties. For the more competitive specialties, it should not be a problem to fill your classes with extremely bright, hard working people. One major problem I see with comparing IMGs/FMGs on equal ground with US Grads is that they often have months and months to prepare for STEP I&II whereas US grads have 3-4 weeks.

You gotta consider the fact that although US students take their Step 1 with 3-4 weeks of prep, they are also coming off of 2 full years of basic science instruction, mostly which is geared towards USMLE topics. Of course the exam has some stuff that might not be covered in the MS1/2 years, but I would say a vast majority of it is in fact covered. To put things into perspective, the last time an IMG touches basic sciences is 3 years prior to graduating. Some of them then go on to do a year or 2 of actual clinical work. So when they sit down to study for this test, they are almost 5 years removed from any classroom instruction for Step 1. I would say that this somewhat levels the playing field when considering the scores (I assume this is the logic behind PDs who take IMG candidates).

Also, when I say that a lot of PDs may select the best candidate, I think they are considering parameters other than Step 1/2 scores. I've heard that these are just numbers to get your foot in the door. What may help IMGs get into some programs (over "extremely capable US grads" as you put it) might be the clinical training they've already acquired prior to applying.

I'm not saying it's fair either way...just saying that anomalies do occur, and I personally know that some PDs of mid tier programs in competitive fields will consider IMGs, so the OP shouldn't lose all hope. All the "students from x schools have no shot at y field" is speculation from people who really don't know any better.