Residency query for FMG

[coreytayloris]

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Is there anywhere I can learn about getting residency if I am an FMG. (Irish in Ireland)

I am doing step 1 this summer (summer of third year), I hope to do an elective in the US during dedicated six week elective time available next january. I would then hope to do cs at this point, and CK before my intern year. Ideally I would like to apply for the 2014 Match but all I will have on my CV is a step 1 score. If I apply for Match 2015 I will have at step1, step 2cs,ck, and one elective.

I have no research or publications.

I am hoping to do Internal Medicine, and then a fellowship in cardiology.
alternatively I would like neuro.

How hard is this going to be?? What range of step 1 score will I need to attain?

I mean, is it hard for an FMG to get into America? Or is it just a case that it is only hard for FMG to get into the top places, cleveland clinic, mayo , cornell etc etc.

Ideally I would like to go to New York as I have relatives there.

But what if I was willing to go pretty much anywhere? Like surely there is residency programmes in less desirable areas that may be attainable (I dunno, what about Texas for example). Or is there residency programmes in NYC that are undesirable for american students because they are not the best programmes, but that an FMG would be content with. I hear one of my american friends going on about community hospitals but he says you want to avoid going to them.

sorry if this is the wrong forum. and sorry for the scattered post.

 

[xrevision]

I think you need to have all your eggs in order (STEP II and CS) before you apply as a FMG.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Is there anywhere I can learn about getting residency if I am an FMG. (Irish in Ireland)

There are several references which specifically deal with the matching process:

http://www.nrmp.org
http://www.eras.org
http://www.ecfmg.org

SDN has lots of threads about matching as an FMG, many of which can answer your questions.

I am doing step 1 this summer (summer of third year), I hope to do an elective in the US during dedicated six week elective time available next january.

Will you be a final year student next January? Electives are only available to FMGs as final year medical students.

I would then hope to do cs at this point, and CK before my intern year. Ideally I would like to apply for the 2014 Match but all I will have on my CV is a step 1 score.

I firmly believe that will be a mistake. As the "market" for residency positions gets tighter, having the best application possible during your first application is your best tactic. Some programs require ECMFG certification for application and many others will not review your application without all the tests completed toward certification.

If I apply for Match 2015 I will have at step1, step 2cs,ck, and one elective.

That is the best approach.

I have no research or publications.

Not absolutely necessary except for the most competitive specialties for which you would likely not be competitive anyway.

I am hoping to do Internal Medicine, and then a fellowship in cardiology.
alternatively I would like neuro.

Neurology is very FMG friendly as is IM; Cardiology is one of the most competitive IM fellowships, so obtaining the best IM residency you can is paramount.

How hard is this going to be?? What range of step 1 score will I need to attain?

"Charting Outcomes for the Match" from the NRMP (see link above) has tables showing average USMLE scores by specialty and type of candidate. Bear in mind that many FMGs have stellar scores, so at the very least you are expected to beat the US average score if not much better.

I mean, is it hard for an FMG to get into America? Or is it just a case that it is only hard for FMG to get into the top places, cleveland clinic, mayo , cornell etc etc.

Again, have a look at the Charting Outcomes tables to get an idea. It is the case that as US medical school enrollment has increased, the available positions for those trained outside the US, especially non-citizens, is becoming increasingly limited.

Ideally I would like to go to New York as I have relatives there.

But what if I was willing to go pretty much anywhere? Like surely there is residency programmes in less desirable areas that may be attainable (I dunno, what about Texas for example). Or is there residency programmes in NYC that are undesirable for american students because they are not the best programmes, but that an FMG would be content with.

The NY/NJ area has a lot of programs, many of which are FMG havens. And despite what you (and I) may feel about Texas, Texans love it so its not particularly "less desirable" as a whole.

I hear one of my american friends going on about community hospitals but he says you want to avoid going to them.

That is a gross generalization. Depending on the program and specialty, some of the best programs may be community based. At this point, you don't know how competitive you will be, but you may find that you don't have the luxury of avoiding certain programs.

 

[Law2Doc]

Agree with the above. 2015 match is the soonest that would be realistic for you. You will need top scores, be willing to apply to a large number of places across the country and can't be snobby about community programs, which actually may end up your best shot. It is hard for FMGs to get match spots, and becoming progressively harder, so impressive stats are going to make a big difference even for less prestigious spots.

 

[ahfm]

So are you all saying that a nonUS-FMG must have completed all 3 step exams in order to apply? What if you complete step 1 and step 2 ck, and are scheduled to take step 2 cs and step 3 prior to beginning residency?

 

[Torsades42]

So are you all saying that a nonUS-FMG must have completed all 3 step exams in order to apply? What if you complete step 1 and step 2 ck, and are scheduled to take step 2 cs and step 3 prior to beginning residency?

Step 3 isn't required unless you want an H1-B visa. I don't think those who want a J1 need to take Step 3 before applying to programs, but I am not sure.

 

[Ronin786]

So are you all saying that a nonUS-FMG must have completed all 3 step exams in order to apply? What if you complete step 1 and step 2 ck, and are scheduled to take step 2 cs and step 3 prior to beginning residency?

Step 1, 2 CK and CS are all required to participate in the match. You can apply to programs without them, but your odds are diminished as far as interviews go.

 

[deathmerchant]

Is there anywhere I can learn about getting residency if I am an FMG. (Irish in Ireland)

I am doing step 1 this summer (summer of third year), I hope to do an elective in the US during dedicated six week elective time available next january. I would then hope to do cs at this point, and CK before my intern year. Ideally I would like to apply for the 2014 Match but all I will have on my CV is a step 1 score. If I apply for Match 2015 I will have at step1, step 2cs,ck, and one elective.

I have no research or publications.

I am hoping to do Internal Medicine, and then a fellowship in cardiology.
alternatively I would like neuro.

How hard is this going to be?? What range of step 1 score will I need to attain?

I mean, is it hard for an FMG to get into America? Or is it just a case that it is only hard for FMG to get into the top places, cleveland clinic, mayo , cornell etc etc.

Ideally I would like to go to New York as I have relatives there.

But what if I was willing to go pretty much anywhere? Like surely there is residency programmes in less desirable areas that may be attainable (I dunno, what about Texas for example). Or is there residency programmes in NYC that are undesirable for american students because they are not the best programmes, but that an FMG would be content with. I hear one of my american friends going on about community hospitals but he says you want to avoid going to them.

sorry if this is the wrong forum. and sorry for the scattered post.

If u get decent scores (atleast 240 +) and u have US electives wid good LORs , i think u shud be able to secure an int med spot atleast somewhere or neuro ( tho neuro people are specific , u mite not be invited for an iv if u havent shown a genuine inclination towards neuro) ...
Texas is in no way less desirable, its home to the biggest medical center in the WORLD.!!
newyork has a variety of programs ranging from the best to the worst ( 2 hospitals were closed in the past months) ..
If u want to land into a good university or a high quality community hospital, which many IMGs do get into, I think u shud score in the range of 250-270 have atleast 8-12 weeks of US experience with 1-2 LORs from American Physicians and some research work( a poster, publication etc.) tho research s not mandatory ..!!
Finally , I hope u read the JAMA article abt increasing AMGs everyyear ..so I cant say for 2015 match as thats the time when u can apply ,looks like.
But in summary if u are good enuf u can get into almost any Place, barring few..

 

[tartesos]

Is there anywhere I can learn about getting residency if I am an FMG. (Irish in Ireland)

I am doing step 1 this summer (summer of third year), I hope to do an elective in the US during dedicated six week elective time available next january. I would then hope to do cs at this point, and CK before my intern year. Ideally I would like to apply for the 2014 Match but all I will have on my CV is a step 1 score. If I apply for Match 2015 I will have at step1, step 2cs,ck, and one elective.

I have no research or publications.

I am hoping to do Internal Medicine, and then a fellowship in cardiology.
alternatively I would like neuro.

How hard is this going to be?? What range of step 1 score will I need to attain?

I mean, is it hard for an FMG to get into America? Or is it just a case that it is only hard for FMG to get into the top places, cleveland clinic, mayo , cornell etc etc.

Ideally I would like to go to New York as I have relatives there.

But what if I was willing to go pretty much anywhere? Like surely there is residency programmes in less desirable areas that may be attainable (I dunno, what about Texas for example). Or is there residency programmes in NYC that are undesirable for american students because they are not the best programmes, but that an FMG would be content with. I hear one of my american friends going on about community hospitals but he says you want to avoid going to them.

sorry if this is the wrong forum. and sorry for the scattered post.

As an fmg, my 2 cents
You Need ecfmg certificate prior to starting residency( step 1 step 2ck and cs) as an fmg. Step 3 only needed for h1 b visa as well said before.
You can apply with missing exams but it is not recommended as the pool for spots is more and more competitive nowadays( some prog won't look at fmg without step 3, and they can afford to be picky because there is just so many of us).
Best chance is high scores as possible NO failed attempts( not a deal braker completely, but it will close a LOT of doors for you).
It's not impossible to get in , but as said before you can't be too picky.
Anywhere you train you can become a stellar md, it depends on how much you put into it... Now as for a cards fellow, that is competitive even for amg, but not impossible.

Best advice, don't fail, be ready prior to taking your exam, get good letters and try to beef up your cv with academics( poster, case publication( even a submission counts) lor, rotations etc.
and most importantly don't loose hope!
One of the greatest things about America is, if you work for it, if you earn it, it will be given to you regardless of where you come from, how you look or how you sound.