MD No interview invitations...!Applied to 90 residencies, mostly Neurology. Any prognosis for my case?

[Nestsiarovich]

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Hi guys! Can you please help me to re-assess my chances of getting an interview and matching into residency? I am desperate, as I have applied to 90 programs and still (mid-October!) have NO interviews...I am IMG, have MD and Ph.D. I am a US postdoctoral fellow now, conducting the largest today's observational research in psychopharmacology. YOG>8, Step 1 - 216 , Step 2CK - 219. Still waiting for my Step 2CS result, thus, no ECFMG certificate can be generated yet...I applied mostly to Neurology programs, also to 10 programs in IM-Psychiatry and IM. I was practicing Psychiatry in my home country and have extensive research background there and in the US (>70 publications, international awards, was a principal investigator in my own project, etc.). I was hoping my outstanding research background would compensate for low USMLE scores, but now I guess the chance for an interview is very very low... What do you think are my realistic chances to get an interview? Thank you!!

 

[throwaway2020]

Why did you only apply to 90?

 

[Rekt]

Why did you only apply to 90?

He's an IMG. I'd say it's on the low end just for that alone, but taking everything else into account confers a grim prognosis.

Can you even get invites/match without ECFMG? I thought that was required.

Regardless;
->8 years post graduation would kill anyone's application, despite your heavy research. I'm sure neurology loves research, but it's still a medical specialty.
-Very low Step scores.
-No CS

I'd put your chances at zero, at least this cycle.

 

[Cawolf]

What did the institution you are doing a postdoc at say? They aren't interviewing you?

 

[Nestsiarovich]

Why did you only apply to 90?


Run out of money)) How many you think I should apply?

 

[Nestsiarovich]

What did the institution you are doing a postdoc at say? They aren't interviewing you?

They would like to interview me, but only in Psychiatry( They offer a "pre-residency" Neurology program, but this is not a real Residency.
Moreover, I wish to relocate...

 

[Nestsiarovich]

He's an IMG. I'd say it's on the low end just for that alone, but taking everything else into account confers a grim prognosis.

Can you even get invites/match without ECFMG? I thought that was required.

Regardless;
->8 years post graduation would kill anyone's application, despite your heavy research. I'm sure neurology loves research, but it's still a medical specialty.
-Very low Step scores.
-No CS

I'd put your chances at zero, at least this cycle.

well, thanks for your estimate, bro

Yes, officially we can apply without ECFMG certificate, it is shown on many Programs websites. It depends on the Program and I was checking it before applying.

I heard some IMGs matched with the same low-to -average scores and the same >8 years....and all of them have at least several interviews...
but it was not Neurology.

I will get my CS scores and ECFMG certificate very soon. Do you think it makes sense to email to Program coordinators of the Programs I applied before, and inform them that now I have the certificate, asking to look at my application again?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Its early. My advisee had no II's in early Dec. Ended up interviewing at 3 top 10 programs and matching at their first choice. You have some low scores, but should be able to match IMO. Good luck and best wishes!

 

[deleted986861]

.

 

[7331poas]

Very bold applying neurology with those scores + IMG status + 8 years from graduation.

 

[watermelon master]

Very bold applying neurology with those scores + IMG status + 8 years from graduation.

and no step 2 cs result yet lmao

 

[CidHighwind]

What’s your visa situation like? The years of graduation will auto filter you out from a lot of programs, and not having CS back is hurting as well. I have to ask why you don’t have Step 3 back. It would be another chance to try to improve your scores, would mean you have all of your steps out of the way, and would be less of a risk for programs to sponsor you. Also surprised you didn’t do any observerships in the states. Another thing is that IDK how many neurology programs there are in the states, but I probably would have applied to all of them in your case. You may have applied to 200 programs and only get 4-5 interviews. “Money” is a silly reason to not apply to more, that’s why credit cards are a thing. That’s not uncommon for IMGs.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

YOG 8+ years ago, low Step 1, worse Step 2, and No CS....

That would end the app of a USMD, let alone an IMG...

 

[solitarius]

Pretty easy stuff.

1. Combined ACGME + AOA
2. More AMG seniors entering the match due to increased # of opened schools.

IMGs are being squeezed, pure and simple. That was the plan.

 

[Epilepsy365]

Pretty easy stuff.

1. Combined ACGME + AOA
2. More AMG seniors entering the match due to increased # of opened schools.

IMGs are being squeezed, pure and simple. That was the plan.

Ugh... No.

OP is having a hard time bc it has been 8 years since he has touched a patient. The subpar Step 1 and Step 2 scores don't help.

Neurology doesn't care if you're an IMG, AMG, or DO.

 

[solitarius]

Ugh... yes.

AMGs are increasing apps to nearly all specialties, including neurology. His/her profile doesn't help, but (s)he is facing competition.

 

[Splenda88]

Ugh... No.

OP is having a hard time bc it has been 8 years since he has touched a patient. The subpar Step 1 and Step 2 scores don't help.

Neurology doesn't care if you're an IMG, AMG, or DO.

All specialties care, but neurology is IMG friendly...

 

[Sleepingdoc]

Very bold applying neurology with those scores + IMG status + 8 years from graduation.

Exactly.. Neurology with IMG itself is a bad prognosis.

 

[deleted87051]

They would like to interview me, but only in Psychiatry( They offer a "pre-residency" Neurology program, but this is not a real Residency.
Moreover, I wish to relocate...

Go to the psych interview.