In need of advice

[jamie_kee_mac85]

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Hey guys,

I need some advice on if and how I can increase my chances at getting a competitive residency spot in the US. I am going to the Carribean for medical school in January and I basically have September-Dec off. I am deciding on whether I should travel or work. I am wondering if I do decide to work say at the hospital, would this be something that could help boost my credentials when I apply for an NRMP match? Should there be specific work I should be looking for or is getting into just any line of work in the health care field a good approach? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

In terms of maximizing your ERAS application for a competitive residency, you should try to publish a basic science paper, but that'll be nearly impossible to do in 2 months. I guess a clinical one would be nice too.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Ooops, misread original post. Going to be very hard to do something in that short a timespan

 

[beegeforty4]

talk to amherstguy...he/she should be able to help you out:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=432846

 

[jamie_kee_mac85]

talk to amherstguy...he/she should be able to help you out:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=432846

Funny. I guess you're one of the people who are bitter about carrib medical students.

 

[Blade28]

Not much you can do in those first couple months before med school - just relax and enjoy yourself. When you're in med school, the usual advice applies: study hard, get good grades, rock Step 1, get good letters, do well on your rotations, etc.

But nothing for now.

 

[WiscDoc]

talk to amherstguy...he/she should be able to help you out:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=432846

As wrong as that was, it was REALLY funny!!! back to studying!

 

[Tired]

You're starting school in January?! So how does that work, do you graduate off cycle and miss the match, or do they just knock off those 6mo in the Carib?

 

[njbmd]

Moving to Residency forum as this is a General Residency issue.

 

[Winged Scapula]

You're starting school in January?! So how does that work, do you graduate off cycle and miss the match, or do they just knock off those 6mo in the Carib?

You graduate off cycle (usually in December) and either try to find a a spot outside of the match which starts off cycle, or more commonly, have 6 months off at the end of medical school before starting residency.

 

[beegeforty4]

Funny. I guess you're one of the people who are bitter about carrib medical students.

nah, I'm just kidding around (kinda making fun of him though)

 

[Top Gun]

You graduate off cycle (usually in December) and either try to find a a spot outside of the match which starts off cycle, or more commonly, have 6 months off at the end of medical school before starting residency.

Her graduation date depends on where she goes to school. For instance, if she goes to St. George's, once she starts classes in January, she will finish the two years of basic sciences in December of the following year. Then she will have time off from January to May. Afterwards, she will start two years of clinical rotations, which should last till about June of the following year. This is how it works for the January class at St. George's. I can't speak for the other Caribbean schools like Ross, AUC, or Saba, but I wouldn't be surprised if the schedule is similar.

 

[Top Gun]

Hey guys,

I need some advice on if and how I can increase my chances at getting a competitive residency spot in the US. I am going to the Carribean for medical school in January and I basically have September-Dec off. I am deciding on whether I should travel or work. I am wondering if I do decide to work say at the hospital, would this be something that could help boost my credentials when I apply for an NRMP match? Should there be specific work I should be looking for or is getting into just any line of work in the health care field a good approach? Any feedback would be appreciated.

What kind of residency are you seeking? You should know that ultra-competitive ones, like derm or plastics, are out of the league of most Caribbean grads. However, Caribbean grads have been able to get into more moderately competitive ones, like general surgery, anesthesia, or EM. If you work between September and December, it may help in getting a residency, but most residency directors tend to look more at your med school performance. If you graduate from the Caribbean, you should focus on doing well in your classes, achieving an above-average score on Step 1 and Step 2 (on the first attempt), doing well in clinicals, and getting excellent letters of recommendation. Also, a Caribbean grad should apply to a wide variety of residency programs so he/she can increase his/her chances of obtaining a residency position. Also, get your ECFMG certificate as soon as you can because, in the case of IMG's/FMG's, many residency programs prefer that they already have it. While there are no guarantees, if you follow these steps, you have a good chance of getting the residency you want.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Her graduation date depends on where she goes to school. For instance, if she goes to St. George's, once she starts classes in January, she will finish the two years of basic sciences in December of the following year. Then she will have time off from January to May. Afterwards, she will start two years of clinical rotations, which should last till about June of the following year. This is how it works for the January class at St. George's. I can't speak for the other Caribbean schools like Ross, AUC, or Saba, but I wouldn't be surprised if the schedule is similar.

Thanks for the clarification...I had assumed it was the same as for southern hemisphere schools (which tend to start in Jan/Feb).

 

[DiveMD]

Hey guys,

I need some advice on if and how I can increase my chances at getting a competitive residency spot in the US. I am going to the Carribean for medical school in January and I basically have September-Dec off. I am deciding on whether I should travel or work. I am wondering if I do decide to work say at the hospital, would this be something that could help boost my credentials when I apply for an NRMP match? Should there be specific work I should be looking for or is getting into just any line of work in the health care field a good approach? Any feedback would be appreciated.

You have to rock those USMLE's (>240) like there is no tomorrow....👍