what is the secret to landing a residency spot?

[docu]

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I'm an FMG, US citizen. Grad about 8 years ago. I was in residency before but didn't finish. Currently, I am licensed in private practice as a GP, but I wish I could get residency to be board certified, or at least board eligible so I can be credentialed with any insurance and have hospital privileges.

Is there a secret recipe for landing a residency spot for someone like me? I have applied to primary care specialties and have not gotten any interviews so far this year. Is there something I'm doing wrong or Is it just plain and simple the capped funding? What else can I do to get a spot, or should I quit now and not bother due to futility?

 

[captaincrunch]

Hello,

Based on the information you provided, it would be very difficult to tell how realistic securing a residency is going to be. Based on the information provided, there are several factors working against you. First, as an IMG, you're already at a disadvantage. Second, eight years out from medical school is a long-time; many residency programs will be reluctant to take you. Third, you left a residency program already. I think your changes would depend very heavily on the circumstances of your departure (i.e., leaving for personal reasons would look much better than being fired).

Additionally, the strength of your application will also make a difference, such as your letters of recommendation, USMLE scores (if they're still valid), dean's letter, etc. It also depends on what you've been doing these last eight years. If you've been involved in clinical practice and/or research, this would be a big help.

By all means, keep youself anonymous, but if you can provide more information it will be easier for others to try to help you out.

Cheers

 

[gutonc]

I'm an FMG, US citizen. Grad about 8 years ago. I was in residency before but didn't finish. Currently, I am licensed in private practice as a GP, but I wish I could get residency to be board certified, or at least board eligible so I can be credentialed with any insurance and have hospital privileges.

Is there a secret recipe for landing a residency spot for someone like me? I have applied to primary care specialties and have not gotten any interviews so far this year. Is there something I'm doing wrong or Is it just plain and simple the capped funding? What else can I do to get a spot, or should I quit now and not bother due to futility?

You are strangely obsessed with the "capped funding" thing which I'm fairly certain you don't actually understand. But even if it were exactly as bad as you seem to think it is, it's about #10 or11 on the list of red flags keeping you from getting a new spot.

1-3: FMG
4-6: 8 (really...8?) years out
7-9: "Didn't complete prior training." It doesn't really matter why or how much you did complete at this point.

You don't mention any other potential red flags (board scores, disciplinary issues, etc) but quite frankly it doesn't matter at this point. Your chances are not zero but they are very close. Not trying to dig on you but you need to be realistic about the situation.

 

[docu]

Thank you all for your feedback. My scores are low. one point above passing for 1 and 2. and i have an attempt on step 2. I passed step 3 though, but there are attempts on that. I had a hard enough time getting into residency the first time around. I do have 4 publications. My reasons for leaving the program are personal reasons, but also it wasn't that peachy either while i was there.

I understand my chances are low and most odds are against me. I think i am not going to try anymore after this match. I have been spending oodles of money that I don't even have (in deep credit card debt now) and getting tired of seeing no interviews. I guess I will have to settle for GP. Its not so bad i guess. at least it is something close to what I want to do in life. Just wanted to see if there's any way I can get back in.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I'll echo the sentiments above. The match has gotten more competitive over the last few years, and it sounds like you had some success in the past, but I'm not surprised that you're getting nothing now. Note that your barely passing scores from years ago would actually be failing scores now (the USMLE increased the minimum pass score), so they aren;t going to impress anyone. [No worries though, they are still passing scores]. And the big red flag is that you dropped out of a prior training program.

Honestly, there's probably nothing you can do about all of this. Your best chance would be back at the program you were at before -- they know you, and if you left on good terms perhaps they would take you back. But, sounds like you didn't leave on such good terms..

Be happy that you actually have a job. Working as a physician without BC is getting more and more difficult.