Taking the USMLE from New Zealand

[Ella Shepherd]

🙂



Has anyone here who went to med school in New Zealand (either University of Otago or University of Auckland) gotten the USMLE? Is it possible to get the USMLE Step 1 exam after the first two years of NZ med school?

If I'd rather take the USMLE Step 1 before graduating, when would be the best time in my NZ med school years to take it (based on when the preclinical basic science years are done - anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, pathology, behavioral sciences)?

I'm not so familiar with the curriculum of NZ med schools and it being 6 years makes me even more confused. That's why I'm not sure if it's best to take USMLE 1 after two years. When are the preclinical basic science years done in med school in New Zealand?

Thanks!

🙂

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Winged Scapula]

You can take Step 1 any time you wish before applying for a US residency (presuming that's what you are interested in). There is no hard and fast rule that you have to take it two years into medical school.

6 year programs typically spend 1.5 - 2 years doing pre-med sciences, so it would likely make more sense to take Step 1 after you have covered the topics tested on the exam which may not be until the 3rd or 4th year. You can find a list of said topics here: http://www.usmle.org/Examinations/step1/step1.html - check out the NZ curriculum and see when that will be covered and when you will have time to study for the exam.

 

[greens]

Most of the people I know here who have taken the USMLE usually sit it in either 5th year, the end of the summer before 6th year or maybe the summer before 5th year or 4th year. 3rd year is the last didactic year before clinicals so you could take it then and be fresh on all of the basic sciences, however, step 1 is still quite a clinically based exam so those extra years do actually help. Also since you will be a IMG you could even take Step 2 first at the end of 5th year and then take most of 6th year to study for step 1 and pass it before you graduate. That is another option a few people over here have done. Feel free to PM if you need anymore info. I'm from the states and just finished 5th year yesterday.

 

[Ella Shepherd]

Thank you very much! You both helped a lot. 🙂

I have another question though. How hard is it to get into a neurosurgical residency in Canada/US from New Zealand? Is there a USMLE 1 cut-off for IMGs? How many IMGs are accepted to neurosurgical residencies?

I'll be doing my research after this but it's good to ask, too. 🙂

Thanks!!! 😀

 

[Dr.Millisevert]

Thank you very much! You both helped a lot. 🙂

I have another question though. How hard is it to get into a neurosurgical residency in Canada/US from New Zealand? Is there a USMLE 1 cut-off for IMGs? How many IMGs are accepted to neurosurgical residencies?

I'll be doing my research after this but it's good to ask, too. 🙂

Thanks!!! 😀

I don't think anyone can answer that question for you. What is the USMLE cut off for US students? Do you know what that would be? I'm sure its not much different.

I can tell you that you will get a great medical education in New Zealand equal to any you will get in Canada or the US. Just like if you were in a Canadian or US program.. the only thing you can do is... your best. See what happens. You could also apply to Neurosurg programs here in Aus/NZ as well. Good luck!

Personally I would suggest sitting USMLEs at the beginning of your 6th (final) year of med... immediately after your final 5th year exams. 👍

You could email some of these people for more information/advice if you are really interested:

Daryoush Tavanaiepour
John Jane
Veronica Chiang
Robert Broad

 

[redshifteffect]

Neurosurgery has actually become fairly competitive in Australia, and from what I've heard it's already pretty popular in Canada. Keep in mind to get a match in Canada through CaRMs you'd need to be a Canadian citizen/PR.

 

[Ella Shepherd]

Thank you SO much for the help, suggestions and links! I really appreciate it! 😀

As of now, I'm still going through my options and thinking about what the best thing is for me to do. Of course, it helps to decide when my questions are answered. Thanks again for the help!

Hugs!!! 😛