My chances of matching to FM ?

[feb14]

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Hi All,

I am an old IMG (grad 2008), green card holder with MPH degree.. I have completed my ECFMG certification with low scores (216/229/pass) all first attempts . I have 7 LoRs from US physicians (3 FM, 4 peds) , 5 publications, 4 posters and many oral presentations and volunteer work.. I am planning to apply for FM in the next match cycle and I wonder what my chances are since I do not have competitive scores and and old graduate and will appreciate your help and guidance...


Thank you in advance 🙂

 

[Sea_Bass]

What have you been doing for the last 8 years?

Edit: From your post history, it looks like you may have been a PGY-1 in another specialty. Whatever happened with that situation would play a significant factor in your competitiveness in matching into FM (or any other specialty for that matter).

 

[feb14]

What have you been doing for the last 8 years?

I worked for 3 years as a physician in my country, 2 years doing MPH, 1.5 year working as Clinical research assistant and then I started working on USMLEs +getting US clinical expereince

 

[Sea_Bass]

I worked for 3 years as a physician in my country, 2 years doing MPH, 1.5 year working as Clinical research assistant and then I started working on USMLEs +getting US clinical expereince

For some reason I was thinking you were a Carib grad. If you're a straight up IMG that's different. Your scores aren't terrible. Many match with lower scores. It depends on making good connections, applying broadly, and a bit of luck.

 

[feb14]

For some reason I was thinking you were a Carib grad. If you're a straight up IMG that's different. Your scores aren't terrible. Many match with lower scores. It depends on making good connections, applying broadly, and a bit of luck.

Thank you so much.. yes I am not a carib IMG and not Indian (so getting connections will be hard).. Thanks again for your input 🙂

 

[Ericslv]

Thank you so much.. yes I am not a carib IMG and not Indian (so getting connections will be hard).. Thanks again for your input 🙂

Sounds like you have already started the process (taking USMLE etc.). So if someone in here told you that you don't have a chance in hell would you care and stop trying or try anyway?

My point being if you want it just apply and be confident.

 

[DrMidlife]

There's a 1st year resident at Natividad from Cameroon whose bio on the resident web page describes a path to success from a similar start.

 

[feb14]

Thank you Ericslv and DrMidlife, I am really afraid that my low step 1 score won't get me an interview because I heard many stories of failure and the strong need for connections to get positions.

 

[Ericslv]

Thank you Ericslv and DrMidlife, I am really afraid that my low step 1 score won't get me an interview because I heard many stories of failure and the strong need for connections to get positions.

Thank you Ericslv and DrMidlife, I am really afraid that my low step 1 score won't get me an interview because I heard many stories of failure and the strong need for connections to get positions.

Be confident. And don't show fear during your interviews.

 

[Lee Ik-jun MD]

Hi All,

I am an old IMG (grad 2008), green card holder with MPH degree.. I have completed my ECFMG certification with low scores (216/229/pass) all first attempts . I have 7 LoRs from US physicians (3 FM, 4 peds) , 5 publications, 4 posters and many oral presentations and volunteer work.. I am planning to apply for FM in the next match cycle and I wonder what my chances are since I do not have competitive scores and and old graduate and will appreciate your help and guidance...


Thank you in advance 🙂

You need US clinical experience.
i don't know your pre-med degree..anyway
work as a medical assistant/ Nurse/ LVN during the matching period.
Being exposed to EHR/EMR is a plus.

i know a 2nd yr resident in who did a 3 month externship out of state ( paid close to $17,000) after 2 unsuccessful matching.
and it made a huge difference, she got into a program on her 3rd try.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Thank you Ericslv and DrMidlife, I am really afraid that my low step 1 score won't get me an interview because I heard many stories of failure and the strong need for connections to get positions.

step 2 scores are more important.

 

[feb14]

You need US clinical experience.
i don't know your pre-med degree..anyway
work as a medical assistant/ Nurse/ LVN during the matching period.
Being exposed to EHR/EMR is a plus.

i know a 2nd yr resident in who did a 3 month externship out of state ( paid close to $17,000) after 2 unsuccessful matching.
and it made a huge difference, she got into a program on her 3rd try.

Thank you for your reply..
I have 2 years of US medical experience (family practice and peds clinics) and I have a good knowledge of EMR. I am planning to do another externship in IM hopefully it will help somehow 🙂

 

[feb14]

step 2 scores are more important.

I hope so 🙂

 

[Lee Ik-jun MD]

step 2 scores are more important.

even though i agree with you on this, the problem is the "filter".
Once a Program director decide on a filter criteria ( ex. step score 220, US Citizen/GC or 5 years from graduation etc) then his application won't even be seen by a human.
Every match season, programs get thousands of application.
in my program alone, there was 3,500ish

So, knowing someone in that program to support your application is really key.
especially in the case of the OP.

 

[DrMidlife]

in my experience step 1 scores carry more weight. most programs don't require step 2 scores until you interview. so step 2 isn't a good autofilter.

that said, 216 isn't going to be below any FM cutoffs.