Timeline for ERAS application (IMG)

[RN1]

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From what I understand, I am supposed to have everything ready by Sept 2 the year before I want to start residency (but at the same academic year). Is this correct?

If I want to have USMLE step 2 (CS and CK) ready for this date, when should I take them? How long does it take the scores to be registered on ERAS?

If I want to get LORs, how early must I ask so I get them before this date? Will the LORs be sent to ECFMG directly if I am an IMG?

Should I worry about “Original Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)” or is this just a formality?

Is there anything specific an IMG must know?

Thanks

 

[Top Gun]

From what I understand, I am supposed to have everything ready by Sept 2 the year before I want to start residency (but at the same academic year). Is this correct?

If I want to have USMLE step 2 (CS and CK) ready for this date, when should I take them? How long does it take the scores to be registered on ERAS?

If I want to get LORs, how early must I ask so I get them before this date? Will the LORs be sent to ECFMG directly if I am an IMG?

Should I worry about "Original Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)" or is this just a formality?

Is there anything specific an IMG must know?

Thanks

If you can get everything ready by Sept. 2 the year before you want to start residency, that would be great, but you'll still be good if you can get it in even a few weeks later. Don't wait till mid to late October though. By then, programs are swamped with applications and have a lot more candidates to choose from. Sept. 1 is the first date that you can submit your materials through ERAS.
To get LOR's, I would suggest asking as early as June. That way you'll have them ready by September. And yes, your LOR's will go directly to ECFMG if you provide the appropriate LOR cover letter to your letter writers giving them your name, date, and AAMC ID number, along with the ECFMG mailing address. The LOR's will then be uploaded into ERAS from ECFMG because ECFMG acts as the Dean's Office for IMG's.
As for Step 2, when I took Step 2 CK, it took me at least a month to get my score back. And it took two months to get my Step 2 CS results. So get those done ASAP. Remember, you must be ECFMG certified by the rank-order list deadline. Some programs even require IMG's to have it before they will even consider interviewing them.
Good luck this year.

 

[Blade28]

Remember that Step 2 CS can take a while - you've got to apply to take the test, then hope that dates are available for the city you want - not always an easy task.

 

[DrDre311]

Remember that Step 2 CS can take a while - you've got to apply to take the test, then hope that dates are available for the city you want - not always an easy task.

CS sucked. That exam was the biggest hassle and waste of time/money ever.

 

[RN1]

This means that I have to take Step 2 CK latest by the end of June. However, I will not even have started my OBGYN and pediatrics course by then (they will be completed by the end of November). Do you suggest that I learn these courses by myself or should I wait one year after graduation to apply? If I decide to apply with only Step 1, will it weaken by second application if I don’t match?

Also, how many weeks of rotations in the USA are needed to get enough LORs?

Thanks

 

[iamcatwoman]

This means that I have to take Step 2 CK latest by the end of June. However, I will not even have started my OBGYN and pediatrics course by then (they will be completed by the end of November). Do you suggest that I learn these courses by myself or should I wait one year after graduation to apply? If I decide to apply with only Step 1, will it weaken by second application if I don’t match?

Also, how many weeks of rotations in the USA are needed to get enough LORs?

Thanks

It's possible to do CK without having completed your clinical rotations. There are alot of step 2 CK oriented texts out there that cover these topics. You can't really rely on your clinical rotations for these tests anyway - exam technique plays a huge part and you should definately study from US books.

It shouldn't hurt your application if you aimed to match a year after graduation as you would still be well within the time limit for most programs (just try to be working during that one year). The important thing is for you to get your US rotations done whilst you are still a student as this will allow you to do an externship (with hands-on clinical experience and only open to medical students) as opposed to an observership (shadowing and technically no hands-on). This will make a huge difference to the strength of your application.

You need at least 3 letters of recommendation - but the more the better. I advise aiming for 4 as one could also be used in lieu of your MSPE (check with the program first if they will consider this) as IMG MSPE's are usually inadequately detailed.

The general guideline is that it takes about a month for your letter writer to really get to know you - so most people do rotations of at least 1 month/letter.

Applying with just Step 1 would place you at a big disadvantage - most programs require IMGs to be ECFMG certified before they would consider your application (and the ones that don't say so, probably do to).

As far as i can tell, not matching in the first year shouldn't affect your chances of matching in the second year - unless you didn't match as a result of poor USMLE scores/long time since graduation. I'm not sure if you even have to reveal how many times you've attempted to match?