PTAL questions

[XPeriment]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey Guys,
I'm Amir and I'm an IMG from Israel.
I'm going to participate in March 2014 Match and plan to apply to California programs.
I'm currently working on my ERAS application that I need to finish by Sep 15 2013.
Only now I understood the PTAL should be part of the ERAS application. is that correct if i apply to CA programs?

Does this mean I need to recieve the PTAL by Sep 15 in order to apply? even if I mail the documents today, it will still take at least 60-90 days of processing.

Also, after looking at PTAL forms:
if I understand correctly 4 months of general medicine in the states mandatory will be done as part of the residency in CA?
Can i apply for a CA residency in Eras and the upcoming match without those 4 months?
Can i apply for Ptal now without those 4 months in order to have A ptal letter for eras september 15?
Also, usmle step 3 i plan to take next year after being accepted to a program, can i still apply to ptal now for the letter needed for eras?

Hoping for some help and getting some sense of it all 🙂
Thansk in advance,
Amir

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You are correct, you need a PTAL to match to Cali programs.

Many Cali programs won't offer you an interview without the PTAL. Some may. You can submit your PTAL receipt as a temporary document in your PTAL slot, although whether any programs will consider that "good enough" is unclear.

You do not need any US experience for a PTAL, although some residency programs may require US experience. In that case, you need to get the US experience before you can apply.

You do not need Step 3 for the PTAL. Only Step 1, 2CK, and 2CS.

It takes quite awhile to get a PTAL, and there is lots of paperwork to complete. Some of it is yours to complete, much of it must be done by your medical school. If you have not started the process, you may be too late to apply this year -- although if you get started now, your school is quick with the paperwork, and you get lucky, you may have it by the end of Sept or mid Oct.

 

[XPeriment]

thanks a lot for the detailed answer.
If i get it mid october - will i be able to add it to my ERAS although the deadline was sep15?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Yes. You need to save one LOR slot, so only assign 3 letters to each program. You'll then be able to upload the PTAL as the 4th when it arrives. You can do so after applying to programs, as long as you save one letter slot for it.

 

[hola27]

When do we get the receipt-is it after the initial review

 

[austen123]

To apply to PTAL, must you already have graduated from medical school? Does that mean that current final year medical student IMGs are excluded from the PTAL automatically?
Thanks!