Is it possible for FMG to match Anesthesiology

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Hello,
I am currently attending St. George's Medical school in Grenada. I am very interested in matching in Anestheiology. I worked in the dept. of Anesthesiology at University of FLorida for 4 years and loved every minute of it.

I have heard mixed reviews about a FMG getting a residency in Anesthesiology. What would I need as far a board scores. I also plan on living in NY. Is there good opportunity there?

Can anyone help me out here?
Thanks
H-O

 

[prominence]

bump

 

[voltron]

I interviewed at mostly top programs this year, and I saw no DO's or FMGs during my interview days. But then again I did see the same people over and over again at the interviews, so I bet that FMGs were maybe not interviewing at these programs, but were still getting invited to solid mid-tier schools. I bet you can get into a porgram as an FMG, I don't think anethesia is as competetive as everyone would have you believe, although it is getting a little more this year I've been told by residents and PDs. But still, its not as bad as derm or ortho or something. I think a good board score is 230+ for some of the better programs. LOR go a long way, as do third year grades.

 

[powermd]

Originally posted by voltron
I interviewed at mostly top programs this year, and I saw no DO's or FMGs during my interview days. But then again I did see the same people over and over again at the interviews, so I bet that FMGs were maybe not interviewing at these programs, but were still getting invited to solid mid-tier schools. I bet you can get into a porgram as an FMG, I don't think anethesia is as competetive as everyone would have you believe, although it is getting a little more this year I've been told by residents and PDs. But still, its not as bad as derm or ortho or something. I think a good board score is 230+ for some of the better programs. LOR go a long way, as do third year grades.

The programs may be interviewing DOs and FMGs all together on different days than MD applicants. Most interviewers who comment on my file bring up quotes from my dean's letter, my LORs, and my personal statement.

 

[VentdependenT]

FMGs can definitely get into an anesthesiology residency. Nail your boards, rotate at a well respected gas program/s, and get a strong letter of rec from a highly regarded gas doc. That'll land you something for sure. Doing an ICU rotation shows interest as well (if not required).

At Clevland Clinic, there were plenty of FMG's. They seemed to have done previous residencies in gas at their foreign institutions. Bottom line is its yours if you work for it.

 

[drlee]

i'm a ross soon-to-be grad going for anesthesia. have 9 interview invites so far and praying for a couple more in january. i think it IS possible to get a spot for an FMG. there were about 7 ppl from ross who matched in anesthesia last year. the above posts couldn't be more correct...i did an away rotation at a prominent university hospital in nyc, got a great LOR from the P.D. as well as the chairman...

 

[Molly Maquire]

HI,

I have to agree that I think the competitivness of gas seems overrated.

I go to the new york college of osteopathic medicine, and I know several people at my school interviewing at top programs, like Harvard, Penn and Yale with only COMLEX (abeit with scores in the high 90s).

 

[ecf1975do]

i agree with the above posts. however, of the 10 interviews i have been on at solid mid tier programs, only 2 of them had some foreign medical grads, so i'd have to say that things are getting a bit more competitive from that standpoint.

 

[dbiddy808]

USMLE 86 and 91. Currently an internal medicine PGY-2.

Interview offers at the following: U.Miami, Yale, Boston U, Einstein, NY Med College Westchester, U.Conn, Thomas Jefferson, St.Josephs, U.Rochester, Case/Metrohealth, Cook County, New Mexico, U.Missouri-Columbia, St.Louis U, Wash U, SUNY-Upstate. That is 16 invites. Around 5-6 rejections. Around 15 MIA's.

We'll see what happens in the match, but I'd say that it is most definately do-able for IMGs.

Good luck.

D-Mo.

 

[andwhat]

great info here on this thread! and one question to you.. you mention that you have 16 invites, but doesnt it make you much more competitive being a PGY2 and being in the US system already.. I mean if you are applying from outside - say a recent grad from youre outside of US medical school - and havent matched in anything and are applying for say a PGY2 Anesthesia, are you less competitive as if you are applying as a PGY2 or even a PGY1 medicine or surgical resident? this is what I never understood. thanks. and GL! those are some great invites. is NY medical college at Westchester competitive? as I recall its on probation, dont know for what purposes.

 

[dbiddy808]

I'm not sure if being in the US system already makes me more competetive. Two places said that they don't even consider people with previous residency experience (don't know why). At other places though, from my interactions during interviews it seems to make me more competetive. I guess it depends on the program and the interviewer.

Also.........I have seen several other IMGs along the interview trail. Primarily US IMGs from caribbean schools, but also some from asia and one from Israel.

 

[andwhat]

one more question please.. are you currently a categorical IM PGY2? if so how did you get time off for interviews and so forth? and will that categorical PGY1 IM year take care of youre transitional year requirement? is that how it works? thanks!!!!

 

[dbiddy808]

Yes I am a categorical PGY-2. And yes, it will fill my internship req. I used my vacation to interview.

Good luck.

 

[andwhat]

can you please tell me though.. if you are in a categorical medicine program, dont you have to do 3 years according to youre contract for IM? or can you get out of it after first year? Good luck to you too.. I hope and am confident that you will match at the program of youre choice..
best of luck to you!!! I wish you the best..

 

[dbiddy808]

I am planning on completing my residency. You could legally opt out after one year, as you sign year-to-year contracts. Ethically though, it might be less than ideal for you to enter a three-year program knowing that you do not plan on finishing (but that is up to you).

Good luck.

 

[Jingojango]

I go to the new york college of osteopathic medicine, and I know several people at my school interviewing at top programs, like Harvard, Penn and Yale with only COMLEX (abeit with scores in the high 90s).

Wow, really???

That's great news.

Can D.O.'s really get interviews at the likes of Harvard and Penn with the COMLEX alone? Are you sure? It is very competitive this year. I mean I know somebody who got some great interviews as well, but they took the USMLE.

I think it's probably advantageous to take both in any case for you future D.O. anesthesiologists-to-be. It definately makes you more competitive.

Hey Molly Maquire- are you going on heresay or is this verifiable- cuz it's definately promising news if it's true!

 

[Arch Guillotti]

JHU pretty clearly states that they take the COMLEX or USMLE.