Should IMGs apply to more than just EM?

[medsRus]

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I am wondering the about the match success of IMGs and EM. I am considering whether to apply to more than one field given the real reality of not matching. Any advice??

 

[dmitrinyr]

I am wondering the about the match success of IMGs and EM. I am considering whether to apply to more than one field given the real reality of not matching. Any advice??

I am an IMG and went through this last year. I think that IMGs that are applying for EM should have a backup plan (as do most if not all IMGs that are applying for competitive residencies). If you are considering EM, make sure you apply broadly to many programs in all geographic areas. Even if you have amazing USMLE scores (i.e. >230-240) you should still apply to at least 40 programs including low tier and mid-tier EM programs to make sure that you match at the end of it all. Remember, that even if you are the most amazing IMG applicant, you will rarely be considered ahead of an US allopathic applicant. This is why you should apply broadly and to some EM programs that other US applicants might not wish to go to. The backup plan should especially be in place for IMGs who don't have amazing scores. This should either be a medicine prelim or surgery prelim. Apply to about 10-15 prelim programs in your georgraphic area to make sure that you get some interviews. What you don't want to happen is not to match into EM at the end of the whole process (trust me, it's hard for us IMG although many of us were successful last year) and not have a spot for the following year. I did not match last year and am currently doing a prelim year of medicine and re-applying for EM for the 2009 match. Good luck to all.

 

[howelljolly]

Thanks for the advice. So I'm thinking... US-CarriibeanMG with Step1 in the 220s... apply to a whole lot of IM, as well as EM... or is IM also a longshot?

 

[medsRus]

Which EM programs take a good share of IMGs? I'll be researching this myself too and posting here...

 

[igcgnerd]

Albert einstein in phili and newark beth isreal do.

 

[Captainwada]

apply everywhere...NY & NE area is your best best...

 

[Groove]

Thanks for the advice. So I'm thinking... US-CarriibeanMG with Step1 in the 220s... apply to a whole lot of IM, as well as EM... or is IM also a longshot?

As an us citizen IMG who's applying EM this year, I think your chances would be very good for matching SOMEWHERE. My boards are average, with excellent clinical grades and exceptional LOR's. I applied to MANY programs. 6 invites so far and that's before the dean's letter went out. The vast majority of programs I've applied to, I have no heard from yet but should start to this next week. I've had maybe 6 or 7 rejections. So... I do agree with dmitrynyr that you should have a backup such as prelim medicine or prelim surgery. The prelim will do one of two things, cover your ass in case you don't match and you can reapply the next year or it will also cover the requirement in case you match into a PGY2,3,4 program. You just have to realize the uphill battle from the get go and do what you can to offset the discrepancy or provide some safeguards. For myself, I did my research beforehand and rotated for several weeks at a program that has a history of taking FMG's from my school. I absolutely busted my ass and studied so that I could impress the attendings and residents on an every day basis. I volunteered for everything, never sat down, stayed late every day, socialized with everyone (important!) and ended up with some amazing LOR's and strong indications that they wanted me to match at their program. Personally, I would love to train there and will more than likely rank them #1. I did not apply to categorical IM because EM is where my heart is and the only place in the hospital that makes me happy and entertained. I'd apply if the lifestyle and money were significantly worse. (As long as it allowed me to pay off my loans before retirement, that is!🙂 From a scores standpoint, the avg accepted FMG on that "Charting outcomes in the Match" from nrmp.org states a Step 1 of 216 with median of 214 which seems a little low but whatever. This is still a few points below avg accepted AMG (220) so the goal should be to score higher than the US avg but should give you confidence that people are definitely matching with lower scores who are FMG. Citizenship probably gives an advantage also.

The lesson here is that as an IMG I think you need to be prophylactic and proactive and probably have a good idea from the get go that EM is what you want to do so you can adequately plan and do your research beforehand. Luckily I had an EM rotation early in my 3rd year which clued me in that I was more than likely going to be interested in pursuing that specialty. The wrong thing would be to schedule a 4 wk elective later in your 4th year at a non-FMG friendly program and be going through the motions only to realize a couple weeks into the whole thing "hey, this is fun!". Good luck.

 

[Groove]

I am an IMG and went through this last year. I think that IMGs that are applying for EM should have a backup plan (as do most if not all IMGs that are applying for competitive residencies). If you are considering EM, make sure you apply broadly to many programs in all geographic areas. Even if you have amazing USMLE scores (i.e. >230-240) you should still apply to at least 40 programs including low tier and mid-tier EM programs to make sure that you match at the end of it all. Remember, that even if you are the most amazing IMG applicant, you will rarely be considered ahead of an US allopathic applicant. This is why you should apply broadly and to some EM programs that other US applicants might not wish to go to. The backup plan should especially be in place for IMGs who don't have amazing scores. This should either be a medicine prelim or surgery prelim. Apply to about 10-15 prelim programs in your georgraphic area to make sure that you get some interviews. What you don't want to happen is not to match into EM at the end of the whole process (trust me, it's hard for us IMG although many of us were successful last year) and not have a spot for the following year. I did not match last year and am currently doing a prelim year of medicine and re-applying for EM for the 2009 match. Good luck to all.

Hey dmitrynyr, I was interested in your insight into the match last year and why you thought you didn't match? If you wouldn't mind telling a little bit about your experience and whatever numbers you feel comfortable sharing, it would probably be very educational. How many interviews did you go on? Are you an U.S. citizen? Good luck in this years match!