Importance of Step1 score for IMGs

[bbydoc]

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I was wondering how important the step1 score is in obtaining a residency for IMGs as compared to US-graduates.
Is my assumption right that competitive specialties like Surgery (academic programmes) ask for higher scores from IMGs? lets say 240 instead of 220?
Is it important
also, does it make a difference to residency directors in which country you graduate? eg UK vs Pakistan/India?
Or are we just chunked together in one pile of IMG-Applications?

 

[vicinihil]

I was wondering how important the step1 score is in obtaining a residency for IMGs as compared to US-graduates.
Is my assumption right that competitive specialties like Surgery (academic programmes) ask for higher scores from IMGs? lets say 240 instead of 220?
Is it important
also, does it make a difference to residency directors in which country you graduate? eg UK vs Pakistan/India?
Or are we just chunked together in one pile of IMG-Applications?

The mark for IMG's is definitely higher than it would be for US grads. This is unfortunate but it's true. Even with exceptionally high marks, many residencies are still out of reach. Plenty of IMG's show up with 99's on Step 1 and are unable to get a residency, nevertheless a competitive one due to the bias toward IMG's. How much higher? I have no idea, I guess it depends on what the scores of other IMG's applying to similar programs are. If your surgery program has IMG's with 250's applying and you have a 240, you're probably still short.

As for what country you're coming from, I would imagine the closer a country's health system and methods are to the US, the easier the assimilation would be. However, maybe the differences are as different as going to different US schools?

 

[1nycdoc8]

I was wondering how important the step1 score is in obtaining a residency for IMGs as compared to US-graduates.
Is my assumption right that competitive specialties like Surgery (academic programmes) ask for higher scores from IMGs? lets say 240 instead of 220?
Is it important
also, does it make a difference to residency directors in which country you graduate? eg UK vs Pakistan/India?
Or are we just chunked together in one pile of IMG-Applications?

1) IMGs definitely need a higher score, who can say by how much
2) The school you went to I'm sure matters... some guy who went to Oxford vs. some place else. ie. IMGs are not all lumped together

 

[bbydoc]

1) IMGs definitely need a higher score, who can say by how much
2) The school you went to I'm sure matters... some guy who went to Oxford vs. some place else. ie. IMGs are not all lumped together

cheers for the feedback guys!
well, its not oxford haha
but its a UK school.

 

[Domenech]

For us IMG's or future IMG's, Steps are very critical, though they're still not the only criteria. If an american scores a 240, you have to be probably above 260 to match him.

 

[metalrex]

Yeah, super stellar step scores are just part of the whole bundle an IMG should make to ensure a residency program:

I would reiterate what FA says: don't ignore the whole picture cuz while step scores are important, so are other things like research, volunteerships, fellowships, externships etc which go a long way in helping you secure that elusive H1B visa sponsorship letter 🙂

Sometimes you can outshine that sub-standard score with high credentials in other areas.Just make sure you are what they call a 'well-rounded' candidate.

 

[MedMan25]

I was wondering how important the step1 score is in obtaining a residency for IMGs as compared to US-graduates.
Is my assumption right that competitive specialties like Surgery (academic programmes) ask for higher scores from IMGs? lets say 240 instead of 220?
Is it important
also, does it make a difference to residency directors in which country you graduate? eg UK vs Pakistan/India?
Or are we just chunked together in one pile of IMG-Applications?

It depends a lot on how competitive you're shooting for and where you're applying. Some programs don't consider IMGs at all while others consider IMGs equally. I know an IMG that just matched in IM with an average step 1 score that got into a decent program. I'm sure there are others who could tell you about people they know who got a 250 though and couldn't land anything.

 

[bbydoc]

@metalrex
the only realistic fruitful research option in my school would be to take a year out, dont know how that is seen though...

@Medman
Im not after a big name programme, but quite fond of general surgery, ortho would be unrealistic I suppose.

 

[metalrex]

@metalrex
the only realistic fruitful research option in my school would be to take a year out, dont know how that is seen though...

.

Taking a summer off will be ideal, I chose to start 3rd year few months later in lieu of a fellowship.

Anyway, If you are interested we can talk this out further with options we have, will revert back to ya after my exam next week!

 

[bbydoc]

Taking a summer off will be ideal, I chose to start 3rd year few months later in lieu of a fellowship.

Anyway, If you are interested we can talk this out further with options we have, will revert back to ya after my exam next week!

ok, will get back to you! good luck for next week!