Is it correct that an IMG cannot complete ECFMG certification until after graduation from medical school?
From ECFMG website:
Certification is that the final medical diploma be verified by ECFMG with the issuing medical school, an IMG cannot complete the certification process until after graduation from medical school.
But how then can a Foreign Medical Student enter the match when they are in their final year of medical school?
You need to fulfill three requirements in order to be ECFMG certified:
1) Graduate from medical school and receive your diploma.
2) Have your diploma and credentials sent to the ECFMG by your medical school and verified
3) Pass Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS of the USMLEs.
Please note, you do not have to be ECFMG certified in order to enter the match. HOWEVER, programs vary in their requirements: some do require you to be certified before they can rank you in February, some require you to be certified before your first day of work whilst others won't even look at your application until you have your certificate in hand.
It goes without saying that, as an IMG, being ECFMG certified when you apply will only work in your favour.
I prolonged the final year (in order to take electives in US). So is it a reasonable schedule to:
- electives: May/june/july/aug
- September: apply to Match (with steps 1, 2ck, 2cs)
- October: finish med school, send documents to ECFMG
- November/December: interviews, ECFMG accepts documents (ECFMG certificate)...
?
smartmark, I did the same, it is possible. However, it was an extremely stressful time because depending on the process of your medical school, how busy ECFMG is, and other factors it can take MONTHS to get the medical credentials ECFMG verified...
But it is definitely possible to apply without ECFMG certification and attend interviews. All the US Caribbean students do it this way.
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