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10 Years Old IMG, Is it a lost battle?

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old-grads
20K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  FSUSTC 
#1 ·
What about more than 10 yr old grad. Do we have a chance to get into competitive field with a good score or all is lost for us?? :toosad: :notsure:

I am a 2000 grad and have been working out of USA.

I want to go in to surgical ophth.

So can I make it with good USMLE scores or is this a lost battle for me?? :eek::eek::eek:
 
#2 ·
Very difficult

The number of years after graduation is a problem when you want to apply for the match.

When you apply in ERAS, residency programs put filters to narrow down the number of applicants they want to look up and read their applications.

So for you, being an IMG, and certainly an "OLD" grad, as the cut off is 10 years for that definition. Your application will most probably be dropped down by residency coordinators and won't be even read by the selection committee.

Having said that, I am not saying your chances are zero. You can still make it, but your road is filled with difficulties.

Things can help make your journey easier:
- High USMLE Scores, above 95 in both steps and passing CS from first attempt
- Connections, in residency programs, so that your friend ask the selection committee to look at your file even if it was filtered.
- Research and publications
- USCE
- Strong US LoRs
- Green card or US citizenship
 
#3 ·
thanks for the reply STEP TAKER.....I am grateful to u but soo sad that I thought of going this way so late in life..crying since i read your post ...except for the good score, which I cannot guarantee but I can try..I don't have access to any other points listed ......crying so hard ....
u said that the cut off point is 10 yrs n my internship is in 2001
so if i register this yr for my step...i would still fall in the over 10 yr grad slot..right???............I can't think straight....:toosad::toosad::toosad::toosad::toosad::toosad:

I only wanted to go my residency in USA coz i met my fellows who completed their residency there n was impressed by how well they are trained..that is why I opted to go for USMLE instead or MRCP or fellowship exam in my country. coz the training is not at par with how they train in USA.....and since my parents are back in my home land..I don't plan to stay forever in USA..only till I get the training and get the boards and fellowship...but now the path is seemingly closed even before it started...with this view in mind..do i have any other options...even if I clear the USMLE and can't get into ophthalmology residency...what else can i take up that I can complete in few yrs n return back home????:toosad::toosad::toosad::toosad:
 
#4 ·
I apologize if I made you soo sad. I only wanted to tell you the truth and to put everything in perspective for you.

Even if you finish your USMLE exams in 2011, you will start residency in July 2012 which means 12 years after graduation by the time you start your residency and you are still counted as old graduate.

Good News:
I am not saying you don't have a chance. There are hundreds of old grads making it into residency in USA every year. You just have to work on the points I listed for you. You can do them all even if you don't have them right now.

You can get USCE and strong LoRs by coming to USA and finding your way and if you have the money, there are companies that can help you out.

Once you are here in USA, doing externships and observership, you will start building your US connections and am sure you'll find friends and relatives who can help you.

Obtaining residency in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Primary Care is completely doable even for the old IMG grad.

So please don't be too sad and cheer up and be positive and try to work along the lines of what I've just told you.

Wishing you all luck
 
#5 ·
Old graduate match

I know a woman from my country, her year of graduation is 1997 ... and have done 1/2 observership in USA .... and her score was 99/99/CS/95 .... she got pre-matched in internal medicine in NY this year match .... She doesn't have green card and did not know any one that well .... So try try and try and never lose hope ....
 
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