To aProgDrector: School Transcript for IMGs

[lordman]

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Dear aProgDirector,

I want to ask if a failure on Transcript & some bad scores affect Match chances for IMG.

I had difficult circumstances for a period & I failed a basic material in addition to some bad scores in basic sciences too.
But all of My clinical clerkships are high...
Do this failure & bad scores affect my chances ? Do you consider them even If I got high Step 1 score?

Thank you

 

[JackADeli]

...I want to ask if a failure on Transcript & some bad scores affect Match chances for IMG.

...I failed a basic material in addition to some bad scores in basic sciences too.

...Do this failure & bad scores affect my chances ? Do you consider them even If I got high Step 1 score?...

AProgDir will likely agree with my reply.

Yes, it all effects even if you are US med grad. Being an IMG to start puts you at a disadvantage in the match. That is just the reality and the track record. Successful IMG match generally requires perfomance better then one's US med-grad counterparts.

Now, failures and poor performance in basic science also hurts chances for matching. While solid USMLE performance is a plus and helpful, even spectacular USMLE score/s do NOT overcome poor academic performances and/or failures. This is true for US medical grads. So, as noted above, it is even more true for IMG.

Still, all that said, it does not mean to give up hope. Can you match, yes. It just depends on numerous factors, some you control and others you do not. What you do control is performance from this point forward and how much discipline and effort you put into your board exam preparation. You need to be realistic too. Given the general gist of your post, I would say trying to match Derm/ENT/Optho/neurosurgery/surgery/etc.... will be difficult at best.

 

[lordman]

Thank you for reply Dr.Jack,

Mmm...I asked that since I heard many people tell that the last thing programs consider is school performance for IMGs (not AMGs).
They tell that USMLE, Visa Status, Published researches are first!!

Even if my circumstances were very very difficult & I explained that in Personal Statement ?

mmm...

Derm/ENT/Optho/neurosurgery/surgery

Even with published clinical researches ?!!

Thank you again Dr.Jack, by the way, I sent you pm yesterday 🙂

 

[JackADeli]

...I asked that since I heard many people tell that the last thing programs consider is school performance for IMGs (not AMGs)...

That wouldn't make any sense; especially when you are talking about failures and/or poor performance. The USMLE score may be used as a filter and your application never gets through to be actually considered. But, as to what a living/breathing human being thinks about the content of your application is different. In general reference to IMG/FMGs, PDs I have spoken with report the first thing they think about [after considering the fact you are IMG/FMG] is what "other problems" does you application contain.

...Thank you again Dr.Jack, by the way, I sent you pm yesterday...

Yeh, I got it but didn't see a question in it?

 

[lordman]

Thank you for reply Dr.Jack,

No, no question in it. Just did that because I told you I that I would tell when I receive the reply .

 

[BADMD]

Mmm...I asked that since I heard many people tell that the last thing programs consider is school performance for IMGs (not AMGs).

Good scores from an IMG are acknowledged as being normal and mostly ignored. Bad scores are a huge, red flag.

They tell that USMLE, Visa Status, Published researches are first!

USMLE will play heavily, especially if you smoke the steps, but the specter of bad grades will temper that greatly. Throw in a lack luster recommendation and you will have issues.

Even if my circumstances were very very difficult & I explained that in Personal Statement ?

A first semester failure, where the issue is clearly identified and the student has shown growth, understanding, and identified solutions, will do much better than one who blames the problems on a personal issue. While many people have severe distractions in their personal lives, often times the excuses come off as lame. Don't get me wrong, I'm not heartless, but for every "Oh my, I'm amazed you got through that and passed medical school" stories, I get 10 pretty lame stories.

A failure or two beyond the 1st semester is much tougher to deal with, however.

The key is not just having a reason, it is show growth and self improvement.

Even with published clinical researches ?!!

Research is gravy. It will help with a slightly off flavor, but it won't fix the dish when the meat and potatoes are bad.

 

[lordman]

Thank you for explanation BADMD

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Looks like your question is basically answered already. I'll add that preclinical performance for IMG's is often not weighted heavily in the application process because it can be difficult to interpret. Different countries have very different grading schemas, and trying to understand them all can be frustrating. Hence, USMLE performance is used heavily. That being said, poor grades are not going to help.

 

[JackADeli]

...I'll add that preclinical performance ...can be difficult to interpret. Different countries have very different grading schemas, and trying to understand them all can be frustrating. Hence, USMLE performance...

Yes, that is my understanding.

"We" in the USA just don't fully understand or appreciate these differences. Further, we often have no significant motivation to understand such things. Any PD gets probably hundreds of applications a year in "language" that they understand from US grads. So, the PD is not very motivated to try and figure out a system of translation to consider a few individual outliers a year.

These are very similar reasons why PDs often don't consider DOs. They are more comfortable with USMLE and not so comfortable with Comlex and such. To quote a PD I once spoke with:

...I don't know what to do with DO's board scores, I work in USMLE and almost every applicant I deal with speaks USMLE...

Given the "language" and/or translation difficulties with just two widely used DOMESTIC examination systems, it will be even more difficult to get PDs to go the next step and now also consider multiple basic grading systems accross multiple cultures & continents....

 

[lordman]

Thank you both aProgDirector & JackADeli....you explained the whole situation.