So i'm an IMG from New Zealand (U.S citizen) now studying medicine in China in english.
I already have a degree in Neuroscience and Micro/Immuno and throughout that degree I basically learnt about every organ system (physio/anat), the content very closely matches med school content except less clinical of course.
So i'm in my 1st of 6 years and i've basically done all the content up to the start of my 3rd year after talking to some of the older students etc and seeing the material.So my question is what should I do in the mean time? I've started getting involved in research etc but it's very difficult when I have 8 hours of class a day which we have to attend.
Should I start familiarising myself with the USMLE material or is it too early? Should I look to get involved in more research? Should I just relax for the time being before the heavy study starts in a few years? I can study with some of the older students who are looking at sitting the USMLE/licensing exams.
P.s i'm not saying it's incredibly easy at the moment or anything, I mean I still have to re-learn all the anatomy etc so it's not like i'm getting 100% on everything because I still have to put the time in.
My end goal is Ortho in the US (I know it's near impossible but i'll give it a dam good go) I'm also allowed to complete my intern year (6th year) in any hospital in the world, it is 52 weeks long and I must do all rotations Internal Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Neurology, Out-patient department, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology.
TLDR; I have a lot of free time at the moment; 2 years basically so should I be investing in USMLE study while I have the time or enjoying myself or what? I can semi cheat to get my research numbers up because I can just translate/correct the research papers from departments and get my name attached which I have already been doing. I'm allowed to do my final year overseas (52 weeks) all rotations, so will do it in the U.S. I think I present a stronger application then most because we actually complete surgeries in our degree, we operate on dogs completing various 'ectomies' which we are graded on (yes some do die), sure this is highly unethical but it gives me the practical experience
So any advice? I want to start USMLE material (light study) since I need a huge score for ortho however I don't want to burn out, i've mainly been thinking of covering the USMLE material by subject - e.g i've got anatomy at the moment so cover USMLE anatomy.
Any and all advice is welcome, just please don't harp on about Ortho being a long shot; i'm well aware of this. Also USMLE can be used for registration for the NZ licensing test so I can always attempt Ortho in NZ as well as i'm very confident I will get a spot in NZ (house officer) and if I get that then I can follow the route to Ortho in NZ.
P.s also don't harp on about not getting a spot in nz it's impossible, it's not I visit each year and follow the news, they have a shortage and the new med school won't be open till I graduate anyway.
I already have a degree in Neuroscience and Micro/Immuno and throughout that degree I basically learnt about every organ system (physio/anat), the content very closely matches med school content except less clinical of course.
So i'm in my 1st of 6 years and i've basically done all the content up to the start of my 3rd year after talking to some of the older students etc and seeing the material.So my question is what should I do in the mean time? I've started getting involved in research etc but it's very difficult when I have 8 hours of class a day which we have to attend.
Should I start familiarising myself with the USMLE material or is it too early? Should I look to get involved in more research? Should I just relax for the time being before the heavy study starts in a few years? I can study with some of the older students who are looking at sitting the USMLE/licensing exams.
P.s i'm not saying it's incredibly easy at the moment or anything, I mean I still have to re-learn all the anatomy etc so it's not like i'm getting 100% on everything because I still have to put the time in.
My end goal is Ortho in the US (I know it's near impossible but i'll give it a dam good go) I'm also allowed to complete my intern year (6th year) in any hospital in the world, it is 52 weeks long and I must do all rotations Internal Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Neurology, Out-patient department, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology.
TLDR; I have a lot of free time at the moment; 2 years basically so should I be investing in USMLE study while I have the time or enjoying myself or what? I can semi cheat to get my research numbers up because I can just translate/correct the research papers from departments and get my name attached which I have already been doing. I'm allowed to do my final year overseas (52 weeks) all rotations, so will do it in the U.S. I think I present a stronger application then most because we actually complete surgeries in our degree, we operate on dogs completing various 'ectomies' which we are graded on (yes some do die), sure this is highly unethical but it gives me the practical experience
So any advice? I want to start USMLE material (light study) since I need a huge score for ortho however I don't want to burn out, i've mainly been thinking of covering the USMLE material by subject - e.g i've got anatomy at the moment so cover USMLE anatomy.
Any and all advice is welcome, just please don't harp on about Ortho being a long shot; i'm well aware of this. Also USMLE can be used for registration for the NZ licensing test so I can always attempt Ortho in NZ as well as i'm very confident I will get a spot in NZ (house officer) and if I get that then I can follow the route to Ortho in NZ.
P.s also don't harp on about not getting a spot in nz it's impossible, it's not I visit each year and follow the news, they have a shortage and the new med school won't be open till I graduate anyway.