Residency concerns

[Giovanotto]

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This wasn't getting much love in other threads, so I figured it may be better suited here:

I've been recently accepted to a DO school here in the states and by the end of it I will be an international (give my international student status) AMG. Is there a scenario or chance that in four years the situation will be so bad for international students (even though they came to school here) that we won't be able to match or find a residency program that is willing to sponsor me/us?

Please advice. I'm trying to gain perspective from those further down the line than me. It would be an absolute nightmare to graduate with that debt and not be able to secure a residency.

Where can I find a list of US residency programs that sponsor? It's frightening to see some DO schools post this:

International students need to be aware that obtaining a residency program in the United States has been difficult for some graduates. Many hospitals do not wish to accept the legal responsibility of sponsoring physicians for their graduate medical education programs.

It is strongly recommended that you begin researching graduate medical education programs as early as possible to ensure that your hospitals of interest will sponsor you for their graduate medical education programs. You should begin the contact early and continue to dialogue with them throughout your medical education.

 

[GS Mikami]

Contact @PistolPete

 

[Giovanotto]

Contact @PistolPete

I've started reading through some of his older threads. I hope he can come in here to post as well though.

 

[PistolPete]

None of us have crystal balls, sorry. However, since OP has gotten accepted into a DO school, he/she will be a US medical graduate (despite not having US citizenship or permanent residency). So OP, you will be a US medical graduate, not an IMG, not an FMG.

Being a US medical graduate will make your path to obtaining residency much, much better than carribean grads or other true IMG's (don't mean to offend anyone, it's just what I see/hear from talking to PD's).

Now, the real problem is that the number of US residency spots has bene largely stagnant for many years. More and more med students are graduating every year for roughly the same number of spots.

So, if you truly want to do medicine, do it. Don't fear it. Know that you need to work hard, and that if you want a competitive specialty, have a back up. But at the end of the day, if I were a betting man, I'd bet that as a non-US citizen (and non-US permanent resident) you will still be able to find a residency position and ultimately get a job.

Good luck!

 

[PistolPete]

Also know that many websites of residency programs will say "only J1 visa" but this is because they are largely referring to IMGs. Most IMG's will only be able to attain the J1 visa.

You have to e-mail every GME department to find out if they will sponsor an H1b for an international student who will be graduating from a US medical school. Some will, some won't. For various reasons, I advocate for the H1b, especially if you have any intention of staying in the US after completing US residency.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Closing as cross posted elsewhere.