USF Tampa Advice

[ncbmmd]

I am currently completing my 3rd year rotations. Finished surgery with an A and strong LOR, and looking like I will have the same for IM. Looking for recommendations on how to improve my application for this program in particular. I will be applying very broadly because I'm an American IMG but this program is my top choice. Through my research of possible residencies, USF seems to meet all of my requirements. (Level 1 Trauma Center, Tertiary Care Center, Research Opportunities, Ultrasound Fellowship, Geography, 3 year program, Moonlighting) I've wanted to live and work in the Tampa area for a long time. My family has vacationed there for years and I lived there for a month on Christmas break. My mom and dad plan to retire there within the next few years and I would love to pursue my career in the area.

I'm concerned that EM has become so competitive as of late that I won't have a chance. I need advice on the most efficient ways to improve my application.

-International Business Degree from Undergrad
-National Registry EMT Certification
-Volunteer Experience at Wake Forest Emergency Medicine Department (2 years)
-EM Club in SGU
-Joining SAEM soon, hopefully attending a conference if funds permit
-BS GPA: 3.6
-Step 1: 235
-Step 2: Hoping to improve. Already finished 60% of UWorld and have 8 months left to study.
-No research yet. Doing all cores at a community program with limited research opportunities.
-Unable to do an away rotation at USF. I e-mailed multiple times. I even requested to come on a volunteer basis and just shadow in the ER but that was a no-go.
-Scheduled an ER rotation at Lincoln in July and looking for a second in August.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

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[Alvarez13]

I am currently completing my 3rd year rotations. Finished surgery with an A and strong LOR, and looking like I will have the same for IM. Looking for recommendations on how to improve my application for this program in particular. I will be applying very broadly because I'm an American IMG but this program is my top choice. Through my research of possible residencies, USF seems to meet all of my requirements. (Level 1 Trauma Center, Tertiary Care Center, Research Opportunities, Ultrasound Fellowship, Geography, 3 year program, Moonlighting) I've wanted to live and work in the Tampa area for a long time. My family has vacationed there for years and I lived there for a month on Christmas break. My mom and dad plan to retire there within the next few years and I would love to pursue my career in the area.

I'm concerned that EM has become so competitive as of late that I won't have a chance. I need advice on the most efficient ways to improve my application.

-International Business Degree from Undergrad
-National Registry EMT Certification
-Volunteer Experience at Wake Forest Emergency Medicine Department (2 years)
-EM Club in SGU
-Joining SAEM soon, hopefully attending a conference if funds permit
-BS GPA: 3.6
-Step 1: 235
-Step 2: Hoping to improve. Already finished 60% of UWorld and have 8 months left to study.
-No research yet. Doing all cores at a community program with limited research opportunities.
-Unable to do an away rotation at USF. I e-mailed multiple times. I even requested to come on a volunteer basis and just shadow in the ER but that was a no-go.
-Scheduled an ER rotation at Lincoln in July and looking for a second in August.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Why can't you do an externship there? VSAS for the 3rd yrs probably hasn't even started yet. That's the only way you can get an almost guaranteed interview.

 

[costalgroove]

USF resident and IMG here,
Being an IMG in the match is like looking for a car or house. Try not to fall in love with one because it is setting you up for disappointment. The match is a crap shoot and it is quite possible the place you want to match at wont want you. As long as you match somewhere it won't matter.
I matched at USF and I did not rotate there ( I couldn't). It wasn't the one I wanted initially but I realized it was the perfect fit now. Good luck.

 

[ncbmmd]

Alvarez: still trying. SGU is not on their list of allowed schools for 4th year rotations. Going to explore all possibilities as far as getting there 4th year. Can't use VSAS as a Caribbean grad.

Coastal groove: Anything in particular that you believe made you more attractive to them as a candidate?

Would doing an away at Orlando benefit me by showing interest in the state of FL? They do allow IMGs to rotate there.
I will continue to be realistic and realize that I may not get my first choice. Just want to optimize my chances while I still have time.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[DrQuinn]

ncbmmd-
Ex USF grad here. I didnt' rotate there, but I did shadow the PD at the time way back in 2002.... there wasn't a program then. You need to let the program know WHY you want to go there. All the reasons you give are valid reasons. I can tell you that as an administrator now, I want to know why someone wants to work for me. If you can set up a rotation, great. But try to make your application a bit more personal. Tell the reasons above in your personal statement. Contact the PD. Schedule a few days in Tampa and try to go to Grand Roudns or something.
I was in Tampa for three years and my parents are still there. I stop by the rez once a year to say hi, sometimes I lecture at GR. It really is a great program. Kind of crazy its been ten years since I was there....
Q

 

[ncbmmd]

Thanks for the solid advice Quinn. Going to e-mail the program to see if I could come to grand rounds each week while I'm studying for Step 2.

 

[MSmentor018]

Thanks for the solid advice Quinn. Going to e-mail the program to see if I could come to grand rounds each week while I'm studying for Step 2.

USF EM grad and attending/ultrasound fellow here. it shouldn't be a problem. I have shadow'ees all the time
make sure you check the schedule to see what we're doing and where we are at. sometimes the residents do sim lab across the bridge also there's no need for you to show up when they're taking exams
i've contacted our ms4 coordinator regarding the shadowing schedule. everyone is on their annual "india conference" and should be back by next week so don't get discouraged if you don't hear anything for a while. I know usf does not allow fmg/img to "officially rotate" although I've had some very interested applicants shadow while they're in town visiting family or rotating nearby in orlando/UF. you should do that for all the places you wish to go to. sometimes showing your face and enthusiasm is more influential than your eras (sometimes it's not!)

 

[Dream u s residency]

Hi ,
I am IMG from Russia , I have got the opportunity to do observership / shadowing at USF Tampa ( Tampa general hospital ) . Since I am a graduate I can only do observership , please if anyone can tell me getting LOR would that help my application for IM residency as I can only observe I am not sure how much my attending can comment on my clinical skills ( if I get LOR )
I am asking this since it's really expensive to do observership T USF Tampa I just want to knw if it's going to help me for my application for IM residency

 

[Apollyon]

Hi ,
I am IMG from Russia , I have got the opportunity to do observership / shadowing at USF Tampa ( Tampa general hospital ) . Since I am a graduate I can only do observership , please if anyone can tell me getting LOR would that help my application for IM residency as I can only observe I am not sure how much my attending can comment on my clinical skills ( if I get LOR )
I am asking this since it's really expensive to do observership T USF Tampa I just want to knw if it's going to help me for my application for IM residency

Since you're posting in the emergency medicine forum, and not the internal medicine forum, you might get limited responses, and even fewer that will help you at all.

 

[Dream u s residency]

Thank you

 

[MSmentor018]

no, not really. definitely post in the medicine forums, esp if you have an interest in fellowship.