How many programs should one apply for when ERAS opens on september?
Depends on the following:
1. USMLE scores
2. Visa status - J1 or H1 or greencard status
3. US clinical experience - note externship is way better than observership. Self explanatory. Observers observe. Externship gives hands on.
4. Letter of recommendation from US doctors
5. Good letters of recommendation from local doctors
6. Connections inside the program
Higher USMLE scores preferred. Note that there are a lot of people who are getting way off the charts board scores.
Most prefer greencard holders. But there are lists of j1 visa friendly or h1 friendly hospitals.
Numbers 3 to 6, are self explanatory. If you look up the program's website and see International medical graduates there as residents, it's a good bet they take in IMGS.
This blog is mainly for giving a summary, if you want the nitty gritty, i suggest you go to this blog, this digidoc person (owner of the blog) helped me a lot during my period of usmle thingie.
http://tips4match.blogspot.com/2006/06/img-friendly-really.html
- this link brings you all the so called IMG friendly lists compiled by digidoc, the patron saint of IMGs.
TAKING EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION,
If you are not confident with your scores, no US clinical experience, no nothing, apply to as many IMG friendly programs as you can afford. I know of someone who applied to 80 programs and got only 2 interviews. On another note, i know someone who applied to 29 programs and got 4 interviews. Remember, the competition right now is very stiff. Most doctors who want to train in the UK are now going to the US because of this new policy by Euro people. At least that is what I heard. Make yourself competitive. Get strong letters. If possible get externships.
Good luck on everything.
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2 comments:
Did you apply for an observership or externship? Can you apply to residency programs even if you don't have US clinical experience?
How many programs did you apply to? How many interviews? just curious...
thanks
Hi. I did not apply to an observership nor to an externship. It would be ideal though and if ever, try to apply for externship. I'm not sure what those hospitals are, but i think wayne state university (michigan... as i met a syrian who did externship there) offers externship as well as mayo clinic... Minsan they would require you to pay your own insurance. Check the specifics. You could post some question on usmleforum.com and some of the people there might know where to get an externship. :)
-LOUISE-
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