Seeking some PM&R advice

[alwayslight]

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[oreosandsake]

you should try do set up an away rotation where you are most interested in matching. Even if you have completed medical school, you should be able to arrange some type of experience.

also, you can call programs and explain your situation. ask them if they currently have any IMG in their program - this should clue you in a bit.

I know that Kessler (UMDNJ) currently has IMG residents.

Kessler is also a fantastic program.

good luck

 

[alwayslight]

Oreoandsake -- I will actually finish up my rotations this coming January -- i'm a bit off cycle. I've called up every program in NY basically, and they've all told me the same thing: "We're not affiliated with your school." It was so disheartening, b/c one time the attending said it was okay, and then the medical education secretary shut me down.

I have a 5 week rotation in PM&R at a hospital that doesn't even have its own residency program. I start tomorrow actually -- and now I'm afraid that its too late for the LOR to be submitted.

I will try your idea about calling up programs and seeing if they have IMG's. Thanks so much!

 

[oreosandsake]

if you can show the same enthusiasm in interviews as in these posts I think you will be okay.

you can attempt to set up "shadowing" opportunities.

they do not have to be official rotations. call around, email - someone will take you.

 

[Ludicolo]

The Polish medical school may indeed be a red flag. While PM&R PDs are all somewhat familiar with the major Carib schools, as a rule I don’t think they are as knowledgeable about Eastern or Central European schools. The timing of the PM&R letter may also be an issue. My understanding is that it takes about 4 weeks between when your letter is submitted to ECFMG and when it gets downloaded into ERAS. So a PM&R letter not yet submitted will probably not be available by Sept 1.

From an IMG standpoint, it is generally better to get everything in as early as possible. Will this mid-September upload hurt you? Depends on your personal statement, other LORs, the rest of your application, and the individual program looking at your app. Some PM&R programs – upon initially seeing an IMG from an unknown school without a rehab LOR or much other experience (so yes – your age indirectly may be a factor) – might pause.

I would suggest applying broadly – i.e. not just to every single program in the NY area but also beyond, and also to a lot of prelim med programs. I know you would like to remain in the area, but you also need to cover your bases. Rank the prelim programs at the end of your primary ROL, just in case. Not to discourage you, but you should also prepare for the possibility of not matching into PM&R first at bat. If you don’t, a strong performance the following year – whether it’s clinically during internship or through a year of research or both – will only serve to strengthen your future application if you decide to reapply.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Good luck.

 

[alwayslight]

Thank you lud

I'm going to apply all over...and hope for the best. I'm hoping my scores will give me a push.

 

[olafa]

For what its worth- I met someone during residency very similar to you in that he went to the polish med school, he matched for Ophthalmology, but he has also done some research and published which is probably what help him get into a very difficult to match specialty.
Be prepared to answer why you went that route- instead of the traditional undergrad then medschool. Get your whole application together as soon as you can and yes cast your net wide, be prepared to travel for interviews(translated =be prepared to empty your wallet), flights & hotels, rental cars etc. You wouldn't want to miss any opportunity simply because there wasn't enough funds available. Check the programs online for who the resident are - may give you idea of where the FMGs go.

 

[alwayslight]

Olafa -- I think i actually MAY know who you're talking about! Pretty sure we went to the same school ... the guy I'm thinking about matched in NY. Either way, a big congrats to him following his dream. Hoping that I can reach mine!