Need elective/USMLE advice?

[strangelight]

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I have a little bit of a dilemma & was wondering if any of you would be willing to offer advice (sorry for the length!):

Background: US citizen attending a foreign medical school. Currently in [what would be equal to] 2nd/3rd year in the US. We're required to do an elective this summer, however I also plan on taking the USMLE's.

I have two opportunities for electives (in the US, of course) thus far --
1) anesthesia research w/a PhD (involves patients & surgery); requires minimal time, will have plenty of time to study USMLE.
OR
2) toxicology ER research w/a MD; requires more time, thus less time to study for USMLE 😕


Question: I know as an IMG, getting a high USMLE score is extremely important, which leans me towards option 1 -- however I am a little apprehensive about getting an LOR from a PhD (does it even matter?). Option 2 would be a great ER experience, however I may not be able to score as high on USMLE with less time to study...

I actually have enough research experience + published. The only reason I'm opting for doing more research is b/c my previous experience wasn't ER-related & I don't know how wise it would be to get an LOR from back then (during lag year right before med school). Someone was saying I should cut back on the research & do a clinical elective, but I don't think I have enough clinical training (although I could learn a lot) + it may be time demanding! Besides, I have next summer to do 2 ER electives, which may be better after going through peds, ob/gyn etc...right? 😕

Any advice? I keep hearing different things. I need to know if an LOR from a PhD vs MD makes a difference + if there is such a thing as too much research. Siiiigh.

Thanks in advance! i appreciate it

 

[quideam]

Do whatever you need to do to get the highest USMLE score possible. As a foreign grad, you're going to be scrutinized more when applying for residency, and a great USMLE score will definitely help you out. You have plenty of time to get letters of rec when you're doing your clinical year(s) - of course, i'm assuming you'll have another opportunity to come to the US, at least to do an elective or two during your final year? Anyway, just study hard for the boards and ace that sucker. Life's a lot better after you get that hurdle over with!

 

[wckedjkster]

I'm assuming you're talking about step 1 here. I agree with quideam in that you definitely need to kick some butt on your USMLE. I'm also an IMG with no experience going thru the process and from what I've seen, high step 1 gets you into the door (interview) and having step 2 score is icing on the cake by the time that you actually do interview.
most of my interviews were offered before my step 2 score came back just to show you how important step 1 is.
most EM PD don't stress too much over prior research experience. lacking research won't hurt you but having it will help, depending on the program.

 

[strangelight]

Thanks so much for the advice(s)! It definitely put things in perspective for me. I think I just needed to be reminded how important it is to kick ass on Step I. And yeah, I have time for another elective in final year, so I guess I'll just have to worry about the experience & the LOR's later.

Oh, one more question: do you have any idea how many months of electives they expect us to do back in the US? Of course the more the merrier, but I realistically only have time for 2 electives -- would that be enough?

 

[quideam]

I think that doing 2 EM electives at programs you're interested in would be perfect - make sure to schedule them for early in the season (july/aug/sept) and kick ass. Good luck 🙂