Low step1- compensate with high step2 for General Surgery, IMG

[bubbleblui]

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Hi Everyone,

I am an IMG with a low step1 score (213). I want to do a residency in General Surgery. From what I have read in this forum my chances to get a position in GS are slim to none due to the fact that I am a) an IMG and b) have a low step1 score?

I have been accepted to do a clinical rotation in Columbia University for 3 months. However I have not decided yet whether to do this rotation in surgery or in internal medicine.

I hope you guys could help me out a little bit with my decision.

How are my chances if I do score high in step2 but have US LORS from internal medicine, not surgery. My CV is pretty much focused actually on IM-Cardiology (PhD in cardio field, post-doc in cardio-field, 8 publications in cardio-field).

I am aware that my chances of getting a residency position in IM are much higher than for GS. So what do you guys think: Should I drop my plans of pursuing GS and do an IM elective in US rather than surgery? Would it weaken my application if I have IM US LoRs only? Or should I rather do a US elective in surgery and work really hard on step2. Can a high step2 score improve my chances of getting a GS position significantly?

Thanks !

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hi Everyone,

I am an IMG with a low step1 score (213). I want to do a residency in General Surgery. From what I have read in this forum my chances to get a position in GS are slim to none due to the fact that I am a) an IMG and b) have a low step1 score?

I have been accepted to do a clinical rotation in Columbia University for 3 months. However I have not decided yet whether to do this rotation in surgery or in internal medicine.

I hope you guys could help me out a little bit with my decision.

How are my chances if I do score high in step2 but have US LORS from internal medicine, not surgery. My CV is pretty much focused actually on IM-Cardiology (PhD in cardio field, post-doc in cardio-field, 8 publications in cardio-field).

I am aware that my chances of getting a residency position in IM are much higher than for GS. So what do you guys think: Should I drop my plans of pursuing GS and do an IM elective in US rather than surgery? Would it weaken my application if I have IM US LoRs only? Or should I rather do a US elective in surgery and work really hard on step2. Can a high step2 score improve my chances of getting a GS position significantly?

Thanks !

It depends on a few things: Where are you an IMG from?

I think your likelihood of matching into general surgery is low. That doesn't mean you shouldnt apply to both IM and GS.

 

[bubbleblui]

i am ing from germany.

 

[bubbleblui]

how about OBGYN? are my chances better to match ?

 

[Medstart108]

I think you want LoRs from the specialty you worked in preferably. Surgery likes to see dedication so having IM LoRs and no US surgery LoRs isn't a good indication.

 

[lymphohystiocytosis]

It'd be better to ask this question in the gen surg forum. They'd know best. But I'd say if you want to cut, do surgery and gun hard for the LOR.