Hey folks,
Im a US-IMG that graduated just a few weeks ago. Ive been interested in FM for a while now, but wasnt able to secure a rotation until near the end of my clinical studies, and thought it would hurt my chances to apply without a letter from an FM attending. I have decent Step scores (>220 Step 1 and 2, first attempt, pass CS first attempt), am taking Step 3 ASAP, and am ECFMG certified. Honored my FM rotation with excellent eval and letter. Now my dilemma:
1) My plan was to apply this cycle for FM. My only hold up is that two of my LoRs are from 2011 (my FM LoR is from a couple months ago). Im volunteering at a local clinic for the underserved and was planning on getting an LoR from there. Would that LoR be useful at all, or should I stick to the ones I already have? They are strong letters so I am hesitant to replace them. After interview season, Im almost certain Id have a job teaching clinical skills to students at my med school.
2) Ive been offered a prelim PGY-1 position in IM at an institution where I rotated. That would be an extra LoR, but I dont know how worth it that prelim year would be (possibly 2x intern year, time off for interviewing, DME/IME funding issues). Itd be possible to find a PGY-2 spot that opens up somewhere I guess, but I dont know how feasible that is and Id much rather go into FM.
Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any advice you may have.
Im a US-IMG that graduated just a few weeks ago. Ive been interested in FM for a while now, but wasnt able to secure a rotation until near the end of my clinical studies, and thought it would hurt my chances to apply without a letter from an FM attending. I have decent Step scores (>220 Step 1 and 2, first attempt, pass CS first attempt), am taking Step 3 ASAP, and am ECFMG certified. Honored my FM rotation with excellent eval and letter. Now my dilemma:
1) My plan was to apply this cycle for FM. My only hold up is that two of my LoRs are from 2011 (my FM LoR is from a couple months ago). Im volunteering at a local clinic for the underserved and was planning on getting an LoR from there. Would that LoR be useful at all, or should I stick to the ones I already have? They are strong letters so I am hesitant to replace them. After interview season, Im almost certain Id have a job teaching clinical skills to students at my med school.
2) Ive been offered a prelim PGY-1 position in IM at an institution where I rotated. That would be an extra LoR, but I dont know how worth it that prelim year would be (possibly 2x intern year, time off for interviewing, DME/IME funding issues). Itd be possible to find a PGY-2 spot that opens up somewhere I guess, but I dont know how feasible that is and Id much rather go into FM.
Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any advice you may have.