Match / Residency

[SYD]

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That is a bit scary piece of information to me, regarding IMG opportunities.

I am just hoping to go to a good University Program for physicians training.(I am prepariing for USMLE I from Sydney, Oz By the way) Does anybody know the current policy in CA.

Previously I recall Kimberly mentioning here that it is really going to be really tough.

I really like the Western coast. Otherwise If go to some other state is there a possibility of coming to CA say the following year or so ??

Any ideas welcome ..

 

[Winged Scapula]

There is no "policy" that prevents IMGs from obtaining residency spots in California, or anywhere else for that matter. It would be illegal to discriminate in that fashion.

That said, California residencies are generally more difficult for EVERYONE to get - these are prime geographical locations in which many people want to live. There are places in CA which are less competitive - places like Fresno and Bakersfield. However, these are a LONG way (both in distance, temperment and resources) from San Diego. San Diego is probably THE most popular place in California, or the most highly desirable place to live. Thus, my comments were directed toward this fact - obtaining a residency there, even for an AMG, would be difficult.

 

[Stormreaver]

For IMGs to be able to apply for a residency in California, a "California letter" from the state board is required, which is a rather complex procedure to go through to get. I suggest you try to obtain info regarding this if you're interested.

 

[SYD]

Yes, I have sent them the initial letter with all those information except the Finger prints, which theyhave returned saying that has to done oon the original card which they sent, so I am dealing with that.

I must say I am aware of IMG'S and residency programs all over the world, becuse the hospital I am at now in Sydney, It is difficult for any IMG's to get in.

How about Sanfransisco, Is it also a competitive place ? Which part of CA has a bit more chances ??

 

[Stinky T]

Yes, San Francisco is also very competitive in terms of obtaining a residency. Not only is it a popular place to live, but many of the programs are UCSF programs. As Kimberli stated above, programs in Central CA (Fresno, Bakersfield, etc.) are not as competitive.

 

[Stormreaver]

I met an Indian IMG at an interview who had a call from CA (I think Bakersfield).

 

[SYD]

I need to go to a news agent tomorrow and buy a CA map to start with 'cos I have no idea where
Bakersfield /Fresno exist..

I was told by somebody Nevada state will take IMG's with open hands, this was ~ 2 yrs ago.
But I found Las Vegas pretty lonely during the day time, and it is kind of segregated from CA or any other state.

Probably Houston would be another good choice I presume if only they like IMG's.

😛

 

[UAB]

California use to be a difficult state for IMG to match, especially in San Diego, but like it has been said in previous posts even for americans it?s difficult to match there.
Also if you speak spanish in California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, NY... it?s a big asset.
After doing some rotations in one of those states I realized how important was speak spanish because sometimes the highest part of the patients only speak spanish.
I would say that maybe San Francisco is easier to match than SD or Palo Alto ( Stanford ), maybe because they are more open to IMG.
Also after being in SF in vacation, I can say it?s one of my favourite cities, even very expensive to live.

 

[NuMD97]

I understand that the process to get the California letter from its board, just to be able to interview mind you without being accepted, is now around $700.00 or so.

That being said, I also know that UC Fresno has had major upheavals in the past two years, with many vacancies becoming available, especially in the second and third years. At least in Internal Medicine anyway. Recently, I even had seen ads looking to hire a new program director. So it seems that whatever caused the problems there in the first place, have still not abaited.

A Californian I knew in Pennsylvania told me the program was still facing a lot of difficulties. That being said, it might prove to be IMG friendly as a result. But frankly, from what I've seen, your best chances as an IMG tend to be east of the Rockies, more specifically on the east coast.

Hope this is of some help to you. Good luck.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Fresno and Bakersfield are located right in the middle of the state (my family lives outside of Fresno). Fresno is about 3.5 hours from San Francisco and the same distance from Los Angeles. Bakersfield is further south, about 2 hrs from Los Angeles. Both are inland - about 2.5 hours from the coast. The weather is both places is very similar to Adelaide in the summer - temps greater then 40 C are common; lots of fog in the winter (MUCH denser than Adelaide gets) and temps between 10 and 20.

Speaking Spanish is a definite plus - a large percentage of the patients I saw in Fresno spoke ONLY Spanish and brought no interpreter with them to clinic.

Keep the following in mind regarding the California letter (at least this was true last year)...some programs will not interview you without the letter. However, to get the letter you must have completed all your exams (and I thought to have graduated/have your diploma). Therefore, many people have found they have to take a year off if they are attempting to apply to California programs during their final year.

I am not really knowledgeable about community programs around Houston but the university programs, affiliated with MD Anderson and the Texas Medical Center are generally pretty competitive.

It sounds Syd that you are interested in some pretty geographically popular places, especially places close to the ocean. IMGs do match to these places but in general, IMGs are more welcome in New York, New Jersey and relatively unpopular places like the midwest and deep south. Community programs are generally more open to IMGs as well.

 

[SYD]

Thanks for the detailed info Kimberly

I guess I need to be a bit more realistic too, I have sent the letter plus 750 US $ fee to CA medical board already, but that should be still
OK I guess, even if I want to come back to CA a bit later say the following year or so.

I dunno if that is a possibility in the US. In here it certainly is, people just shop around hospitals
each year.

 

[UAB]

Is the actual price for the letter 750 $???????
How is this possible????? A couple of years ago I received the materials and it was 508 $?
I can?t understand it, I can understand the CSA exam because it checks your practical knowledge, but the CA letter, what is checking ???? If you have bad scores the same program will reject you, I think it should be illegal, and it?s a discrimination against IMG.

 

[SYD]

Well thats reality ..

I will check the exact amount & post that tomorrow.

Its really funny, 'cos after all that effort they have sent the finger print cards back to me asking me to repeat it.