should IMGs bother applying with masters?

[PeterJH]

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I know Rads is a very competitive specialty, and so being a Canadian and having to go to med school abroad (I'm an IMG), getting a spot will be an incredible uphill battle. I just have one question regarding masters degrees and how much they help for residency.

Having an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging from the UK, would residency admission boards be impressed by this or not really? All other things being equal to an average Rads applicant (i.e. USMLEs, US LORs, etc.), is having this masters degree enough to bypass the IMG status?

 

[werewethere]

I know Rads is a very competitive specialty, and so being a Canadian and having to go to med school abroad (I'm an IMG), getting a spot will be an incredible uphill battle. I just have one question regarding masters degrees and how much they help for residency.

Having an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging from the UK, would residency admission boards be impressed by this or not really? All other things being equal to an average Rads applicant (i.e. USMLEs, US LORs, etc.), is having this masters degree enough to bypass the IMG status?

Well, assuming you already have it, it won't necessarily hurt. If your interest lies in doing research as a radiologist, it can be a plus if you already have it (don't go out of your way to get one, though). But many of the community programs assume that you would not be happy in their environment-one with minimal research. These community programs are often the best hope for IMGs, so in applying, you may wish to create two personal statements, one for university based programs, emphasizing your credentials and interest in research (I'm assuming you have interest in research with your MSc) and one emphasizing more of your clinical interests. It's definitively not impossible to match in radiology as an IMG, but you're right about the uphill battle. I know several excellent IMG residents in IM/neuro/psych who didn't match. Additionally, there is always the visa issue. You're right about the criteria you mentioned-board scores, LoRs-as being essential. The best you can do is apply broadly (all university and community programs as you would find remotely acceptable) and be persistent about contacting programs that haven't rejected you outright, that could get you a few more interviews. Needless to say, a plan b is also important. Best of luck!