Research year AFTER med school?

[janethln]

Hello, I'm new here. I will be graduating med school July 2022. I am a US-IMG looking to match into Gen Surgery or Urology Residency in the US (goal is in Texas). I understand matching is very competitive for IMGs. After looking at the requirements, most programs require 3 Letter of Recommendation (from US based doctors/program directors) and some type of clinical experience in the US is a bonus. I only have 1 LOR from a US doctor.
I feel like my chances of matching are very low, even if I get high Step 1 and 2 scores (I could probably get 245-250 on Step 1), because of my lack of US LOR and clinical experience in the US. (I have plenty of clinical experience outside of the US, could get LOR from program directors outside the US, and also have a few research publications I am working on before I graduate, but it is my understanding that residency programs really only count US LOR and US clinical experience. I am currently conducting research in my social service year of med school under the head of the Urology department in the largest hospital in Mexico)

My question is: Should I take a research/postdoc year after completing med school in order to network, gain US clinical experience, and US LORs? This will probably give me the highest chance to match into surgery. But I know that residency programs also look at how many years it has been since you graduated, and it decreases the chances of matching the longer you wait and if you don't apply right away after graduating. Do the pros outweigh the cons?

All opinions are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

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[AlteredScale]

Hello, I'm new here. I will be graduating med school July 2022. I am a US-IMG looking to match into Gen Surgery or Urology Residency in the US (goal is in Texas). I understand matching is very competitive for IMGs. After looking at the requirements, most programs require 3 Letter of Recommendation (from US based doctors/program directors) and some type of clinical experience in the US is a bonus. I only have 1 LOR from a US doctor.
I feel like my chances of matching are very low, even if I get high Step 1 and 2 scores (I could probably get 245-250 on Step 1), because of my lack of US LOR and clinical experience in the US. (I have plenty of clinical experience outside of the US, could get LOR from program directors outside the US, and also have a few research publications I am working on before I graduate, but it is my understanding that residency programs really only count US LOR and US clinical experience. I am currently conducting research in my social service year of med school under the head of the Urology department in the largest hospital in Mexico)

My question is: Should I take a research/postdoc year after completing med school in order to network, gain US clinical experience, and US LORs? This will probably give me the highest chance to match into surgery. But I know that residency programs also look at how many years it has been since you graduated, and it decreases the chances of matching the longer you wait and if you don't apply right away after graduating. Do the pros outweigh the cons?

All opinions are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

You need to absolutely do well on your Step 1 and step 2 scores. why haven't you taken them yet?

 

[janethln]

You need to absolutely do well on your Step 1 and step 2 scores. why haven't you taken them yet?

Step 1 is scheduled for December. Step 2 next year. After speaking to several IMGs from the same med school as me who go into residency in the US, looks like I will be taking a research/postdoc year after I graduate and then applying for residency.

 

[AzBasRad]

If you look into the profiles of FMGs who matched into moderate to ultra-competitive residencies, they have had (multiple), productive research years with extensive publications. Looks like taking research/postdoc year is the right idea.

Also, I agree with AlteredScale, make sure you crush Steps 1 + 2CK

 

[NotAProgDirector]

US medical experience is not a "bonus". It is a critical part of your application, especially f applying to surgery. While you are still a medical student, you should arrange a US clinical experience if at all possible. It will become much more difficult after you graduate, so do not plan to do it during your research year. You will want as many US clinical letters as possible. You did not mention what the circumstances are for your one letter from a US doc -- but if it's just someone who "knows you" that's not helpful at all. If they are a US doc who practices in your country, that's a bit better. Nothing trumps US experience.