IMG (UK) Residency Old

[HeCOG]

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Dear All

This is my situation:

After doing US basic research for a while, I would like to go back to the clinic. My situation is the following:

-UK medical graduate, 2001 - now 35 year old.
-Did 4 years of surgery post-grad training in UK (never got exams)
-Just finished post-doc at a top US university hospital
-Total 10 publications, multiple abstracts, conferences, etc
-Obtained US Green Card 2 years ago through my US research
-Attempted STEP 1 once
-Can get US LORs. Possibly from a departmental Chair

Please kindly provide some insight/help with the following:

-Am I too old for US clinical residency, provided I get/score well at other STEPs
-Is year of graduation likely to be a negative factor?
-What medical specialties are recommended/realistic?
-What interim jobs may someone in my situation apply for while preparing for residency? After doing basic research I'm not into it anymore

Your realistic advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you

 

[Law2Doc]

Dear All
This is my situation:...
-UK medical graduate, 2001 - now 35 year old.
-Did 4 years of surgery post-grad training in UK (never got exams)
-Just finished post-doc at a top US university hospital...
-Attempted STEP 1 once...
Please kindly provide some insight/help with the following:
-Am I too old for US clinical residency, provided I get/score well at other STEPs
-Is year of graduation likely to be a negative factor?
-What medical specialties are recommended/realistic?
-What interim jobs may someone in my situation apply for while preparing for residency? After doing basic research I'm not into it anymore
Your realistic advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you

Not too old, but Yes your year of graduation is a big negative, as is your IMG status. No US specialties are unrealistic from an age point of view, but a lot of residencies will have not so much interest in an IMG who graduated in 2001, so your odds will be best in the less competitive fields for US residencies. Also you didn't mention your Step 1 score which will be huge in determining what you have a shot at, even amongst noncompetitive things. The other Steps need to be decent but the numbers for those won't be as significant.

 

[HeCOG]

Thank you Law2Doc

It's pretty grim then I see. Depressing indeed.

 

[Buzz Me]

What was your Step 1 score?

 

[DrLaw]

HeCOG, I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I posted the following message in this forum recently: I just graduated from law school and am interested in doing a psychiatry residency and a forensic psychiatry fellowship. I don't know how good my chances are of being accepted to a residency program. I'm an IMG and graduated from med school almost 10 years ago. Any advice would be appreciated.

Seems as if board numbers are important to getting advice here so: Step 1 85, Step 2 75, Step 3 79.

I agree. Prospects are a little depressing but not completely hopeless!

 

[bambi]

Dear All

This is my situation:

After doing US basic research for a while, I would like to go back to the clinic. My situation is the following:

-UK medical graduate, 2001 - now 35 year old.
-Did 4 years of surgery post-grad training in UK (never got exams)
-Just finished post-doc at a top US university hospital
-Total 10 publications, multiple abstracts, conferences, etc
-Obtained US Green Card 2 years ago through my US research
-Attempted STEP 1 once
-Can get US LORs. Possibly from a departmental Chair

Please kindly provide some insight/help with the following:

-Am I too old for US clinical residency, provided I get/score well at other STEPs
-Is year of graduation likely to be a negative factor?
-What medical specialties are recommended/realistic?
-What interim jobs may someone in my situation apply for while preparing for residency? After doing basic research I'm not into it anymore

Your realistic advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you

In 4 years you didn't do MRCS? I imagine if they understand what that means in America that wouldn't look too good either.

 

[HeCOG]

i know... i know it sounds ridiculous, but despite doing very well clinically, i was just unable to sit the exams... and i don't know if there's anyway to redeem myself at this stage. my thoughts are that prob surgery wasn't my thing. so ur doing a surg rotation in the UK?

Maybe it's time to give up.

 

[HeCOG]

Dr Law

But since you're considering a career change that shouldn't be a problem, no? where did you do law, and medicine? and why going back to medicine now? best

 

[Law2Doc]

...

Seems as if board numbers are important to getting advice here so: Step 1 85, Step 2 75, Step 3 79.

the three digit scores are what we here in the states predominantly use, FYI.

 

[DrLaw]

I don't know HeCOG. Maybe I tend to refuse to face reality, but I wouldn't give up. I don't know much about the residency application process (but I'll find out what my 3-digit numbers are at least. Thanks Law2Doc.), but if you're not picky and just want to do residency in the US, then there's gotta be something out there? Like I said though, it may just be wishful thinking on my part.

Born, raised, and did undergrad in the US. Went to Asia, where my parents are from, for med school. Did law school at a pretty well-respected school in the Midwest. I wouldn't consider it a career "change." More like getting a career, considering I feel as if I've never had one.

 

[egyptionguy]

Hello there,

let me tell you this then u can decied about it, i do have a friend of mine who graduated at age of 27 in egypt and passed usmle at age 40 = 13 years of graduation, and did try each step many time more than 6 -7 times even CSA i think 3-5 times, before they placed the law for maximum 6 attempts, and believe or not did match.

another one Russian Dr did match at age 54.

so please don't listen to others just do what u have to do and that is all, many ideas or thoughts will lock u out.

good luck

 

[MD forever]

Hello there,

let me tell you this then u can decied about it, i do have a friend of mine who graduated at age of 27 in egypt and passed usmle at age 40 = 13 years of graduation, and did try each step many time more than 6 -7 times even CSA i think 3-5 times, before they placed the law for maximum 6 attempts, and believe or not did match.

another one Russian Dr did match at age 54.

so please don't listen to others just do what u have to do and that is all, many ideas or thoughts will lock u out.

good luck

Agree many writers in this forums "sdn" don't like (FMG/IMG)s though many residency positions can not be filled by AMG, foreigners are still needed here!

 

[Treacle]

I am a uk grad of 2001 - got matched through SOAP for a prelim surgical year . I do not have as much research but I had very good scores and consistent clinical training and my MRCS( which they don't really care about). The place I got my prelim was surprised I didn't get matched.
My CK was late though so only applied in mid October and had no US LOR. If you have clinical experience are prepared to suck it up and start from the bottom and have a good attitude age is not a huge barrier.

 

[splik]

I am a uk grad of 2001 - got matched through SOAP for a prelim surgical year . I do not have as much research but I had very good scores and consistent clinical training and my MRCS( which they don't really care about). The place I got my prelim was surprised I didn't get matched.
My CK was late though so only applied in mid October and had no US LOR. If you have clinical experience are prepared to suck it up and start from the bottom and have a good attitude age is not a huge barrier.

No one said age was a barrier (that would be discrimination), it is time since graduation and clinical practice that is a barrier. You yourself were unable to match and got a surgical prelim which quite frankly anyone with a pulse and a penchant for BDSM could get. They are largely dead-end jobs with poor prospects for getting into a categorical surgical residency. It's doable and I hope it works out but I am amazed you are peddling false hope considering you didn't match yourself.

 

[Treacle]

The question asked - was is it possible with a 2001 year of graduation. I believe it is but there are so many variables involved. No one can predict what will happen, the best person to ask is a program director for his or her unbiased opinion based on your previous experience.