Timing of Residency Application!!

[FaddyAcids]

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Hello, I am a Foreign Med Student. I took step 1 and preparing for step 2. I know that residency programs start at June. So i am very concerned about some documents and deadlines and id really appreciate it if anyone answer my questions:

1. Will i be able to catch the 2009 Match knowing that i will graduate on January and my Diploma certificate will be released on May or June?

2. Can I get my MSPE (Medical School Performance Evaluation) before graduating and whats the deadline by which it has to be sent?

3. What is the date by which i should have both step 2 CK and CS if i want to join a residency on 2009?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If your goal is to participate in the 2009 match, then you have plenty of time. We are currently in the midst of the 2008 match, with match day in March 2008 for positions to start in July 2008.

For the 2009 match, as an IMG you'll want all of your exams / paperwork completed and submitted by Nov 1st 2008.

 

[FaddyAcids]

Thank u very much for replying!!

But what about the medical school diploma that will be released on May or may be later? is it ok to apply and being interviewed without it yet?

And can i finish all my paperwork (like the MSPE...) while still a student?

Thx..

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thank u very much for replying!!

But what about the medical school diploma that will be released on May or may be later? is it ok to apply and being interviewed without it yet?

And can i finish all my paperwork (like the MSPE...) while still a student?

Thx..

There are some programs that will want you to be ECFMG certified; you cannot be certified until you have your final diploma. Thus at those programs you would not be eligible until the 2010 match.

However, there are plenty of other programs that only want you to have everything in order for certification. You must have completed all the steps toward ECFMG certification (save for the issue of the diploma) by the mid-February deadline of submitting your ROL.

All of your paperwork, with the exception of submitting your diploma to get your ECFMG certificate, CAN be done as a student.

 

[FaddyAcids]

They told me today in my med school that I can only get a temporary certificate earlier which states that I graduated but the result is not admitted yet by universities council in my country. Does this work?
Thanks a lot!!

 

[Winged Scapula]

They told me today in my med school that I can only get a temporary certificate earlier which states that I graduated but the result is not admitted yet by universities council in my country. Does this work?
Thanks a lot!!

You would have to ask the programs. Most programs DO NOT require you to have an ECFMG certificate to interview, just to start residency; I would imagine that those programs *might* be satisfied that you have taken all the tests and have a certificate that shows you graduated, but you'd have to inquire as to how much of a stickler they are for the actual ECFMG certificate.

 

[FaddyAcids]

Dr. Cox thank you so much for the useful informations!!

 

[buckley]

I agree with everything that has been said. Just to add my thoughts---many programs DONT require the ecfmg certificate BUT with how competitive the match process is, it's becoming quite a factor--including step 3.
If you are a stellar candidate--PhD, research, high USMLE scores--who is also quite rich--can afford to apply to a gamut of programs--I say go for 2009. If you are neither a US citizen or a GC holder, visa issues are a major blockade. If you are an average candidate, it might be better to wait for 2010. Good luck!

It also depends a lot on the specialty you are applying to...

 

[FaddyAcids]

I really appreciate all your replies and find you all very helpful!!
I am not a stellar candidate, step 1 score is 89, neither US citizen nor GC holder but I thought ECFMG sponsors the Visa for IMGs, doesnt it?
I was thinking of good IM programs or Ob/Gyn.
The point is I will have my final diploma by the time residencies will start and I will even be graduated earlier and I dont want to be delayed for the next match just because of couple of months!!!
What about the Post-Match or Scramble?
Please let me know because if I will have a chance I will take both Step 2 CK and CS while still a student, but if not so i dont have to be in a hurry..

 

[buckley]

It's really up to you, but if I were in your position, I'd kick ass on my Step 2 CK, pass CS, get my ecfmg certificate and take Step 3 even before Sept 1, 2009...that would make me good for 2010! Good luck

 

[buckley]

ECFMG sponsors the visa once you match successfully...

 

[FaddyAcids]

Step 3?!! I thought they take it after the residency, right?

Thank you so much for your advice..

 

[buckley]

As IMGs we can take it as long as we've graduated and have our ecfmg certificate. There are numerous pro's to taking it ahead of time, the most important of which is the eligibility for the H1 visa.

I would seriously consider reading more on the internet, just type in USMLE tips on google and all that stuff and you can find that it's a lot more complicated than it seems.

89 is a fair score, but seriously, aim for above 90s. It's just so competitive. Instead of rushing to get your exams done, I would consider doing US rotations. That helps a lot. If you have a friend who has done it before, talk to them really because it's a big decision to make. Again, i say this from experience, it turned out to be a lot harder and more complicated than I thought...and I haven't even matched yet.

Some blocks I had to deal with...

-getting the visa to take CS and attend interviews
-looking for friends/family in the US to stay with (you need them!)
-financing expenses when you cannot work
-self-esteem issues (hahaha...you bet! it's really tough as an img out here...which is expected anyway...even my friends who are US citizens feel the pain, but it's a price to pay if we want the good training)

Naively, I thought the USMLE exams was the hardest monster I had to contend with--hahaha! it was only the beginning...But it is DOABLE however, just ask yourself if you can really ride this emotional rollercoaster where you invest so much and you don't really have anything certain to hang on to. Coming from interviews and program visits however, I will tell you that I am very impressed and I feel I still made the right decision to try and get US training. I wish I could end this on a success story note, but as of now, I have yet to wait and see...

 

[FaddyAcids]

I thought it was USMLEs - Residency - Practicing Medicine,,, hahaaa!!
Do US Rotations improve ur chances of getting matched?

I am actually more concerned about not wasting time than getting into a very competitive program and i thought IM and Ob/Gyn are not that competitive. What do u think?

Do u think if i take step 2 in August - graduate on January, i will match the same year? I know i sound preoccupied by time but i dont know if it will go easy as im thinking!!

Best of Luck to you!!

 

[buckley]

like i said, it's a risk that is up to you to take. what do you lose if you go for 2009? basically, money.

i'm not bashing ecfmg but they do take quite a long time to process things. you have to be ecfmg certified by february (the rank order list deadline) or you will be forced to withdraw from the match, no matter how many interviews you've been on. if your diploma goes out january, you fed ex it asap to ecfmg, im still not so sure if it's gonna make it on time. call them if you want to check.

you have more than ample time to study for ck in august, but if you are going for 2009 matching, as an IMG, it's good to take it early. strive to finish your exams so that you have scores in by september. many US grads can apply with just their step 1 scores. but that is incredibly harder for an IMG.

IM has more slots than ob-gyn and understandably easier to get into.
Many Fammed practitioners are also able to deliver babies here, so you can consider that.
US experience is a big factor. Some programs wont even consider you without it. That being said, I have zero US clinical experience and I am able to go by. It is a huge disadvantage though.
Sure, time is a concern for everyone. But so is money and so is the future. if you can be competitive for a great program, is it worth one year for you? that is the question only you can answer.
good luck!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I thought it was USMLEs - Residency - Practicing Medicine,,, hahaaa!!
Do US Rotations improve ur chances of getting matched?

It definitely improves your changes of matching and as noted above, some programs require it.

I am actually more concerned about not wasting time than getting into a very competitive program and i thought IM and Ob/Gyn are not that competitive. What do u think?

Depends on the program. In some places IM or OB-Gyn would be very competitive, but overall, they are less competitive than other specialties. IM is also helped by the fact that there are so many positions available.

Do u think if i take step 2 in August - graduate on January, i will match the same year? I know i sound preoccupied by time but i dont know if it will go easy as im thinking!!

Best of Luck to you!!

If you take Step 2 in August, pass, and have everything done for ECFMG certification by the date of the ROL submission (usually mid Feb), then you should be able to match. However, I would not count on getting ECFMG certified before the ROL with graduation in January. ECFMG will tell you to expect at least 4 weeks from submission of the diploma before you are certified. This is if all your "ducks are in a row", there are no problems, etc. Your advantage is that January is "off season" for certification.

The above is only a problem at programs which require ECFMG certification to apply..thus, it is unlikely you will even get interviews at those places, so I wouldn't worry...if you get certified in February or May, probably doesn't make much difference unless you interviewed at a program that told you that if you were certified they would rank you higher.

 

[FaddyAcids]

That makes many things clear to me...I'm happy i found this site that gave me the chance to talk to great people like you!!