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Double 99 and CS first attempt guarantees general surgery for an IMG?

  • Yes

    Votes: 5 26.3%
  • No

    Votes: 15 78.9%

Double 99 and CS first attempt guarantees an IMG general surgery residency?

14K views 12 replies 3 participants last post by  MidoUSMLE 
#1 ·
Please vote in the poll and if possible explain your choice on an official basis "not just guessing".
 
#2 ·
First of all, there's nothing guaranteed. Even if you are an AMG with great scores and CV, there's no guarantee you can get it!

Second your question is missing lots of info.

What's your YOG, what's your prior experience, do you have USCE, do you have surgery LoRs, ....etc

I voted for no because I don't know more about you.
 
#5 ·
I got 249/322 in step 1, the exam was taken on May 24, 2011. And i am about to take CK and i am planning for another 99, i will get some observership in US, i'm a general surgery resident at my home country "Egypt" university, but have to serve in army for a year. How long does the observership last?!! i finished my internship on last Feb 28.
 
#7 ·
Well, sure i'm applying next year at best, but can i apply before taking CS?? because i have to serve in the damn army till Dec 2012, and i can't get out of the country before then. Can i apply with CS exam registration and take in in Jan 2013?? and late 2012?!
 
#8 ·
Naaah dude. Also need to know your USCE, Who you know, LORs, Visa status/citizenship, Research exp?

Plus 2 digit scores are meaningless, wish people would chill with that, a 230/99 is diff from a 251/99.:))

Now if in addition to the scores you have at least
6months+ USCE
4 US surgery LORs
US Citizenship/GC
3 posters presentation, 2 publications.

Then yeah that person stands a good chance, if they apply broadly, and applies to both prelims and categorical positions.

That said I know someone last yr who had 240+ for both step I and CK, 4 great US surgery LORs, 2 yrs US surgery research, needed visa, and over 30 poster/publications, who got many interviews but was only able to match at a surgery prog that one of his US contacts knew people. The contact had to call and plead on his behalf. Things prob would have been easier if he was a USC/GC holder.
 
#9 ·
Huh?? I wonder who amidst IMGs match at surgery then if all these damn complex requirements are needed?!! 6 months of US clinical experience?? that would be too expensive and time-consuming, research?? it'd take at least one year and huge sums of money. And how can i get a J1 or H1 visa?!! Doing step 3?!
 
#10 ·
Point being there are many people who are doing it, so cant blame them for being so strict. I know folks who took 2 yrs off to do research, to make themselves more competitive, despite their crazy high board scores. Research takes at least 2 yrs to get something good out of it.
Remember you are also competing with US citizens (dont need a visa) who are IMGs. Who have 2yrs USCE (from clerkships/rotations), who have many US LORs, many of whom have done research even while in undergrad/grad schl/med schl and also might have connections in certain progs they rotated through, or even connections in their hometowns.

Now if someone with all this, only has a 220 and 230 in step 1 and CK, they still stand a better chance than someone who has a 240+ on both steps, needs visa, has no USCE, no US surgery LORs and needs a visa!

Point being, if you want to apply to surgery, make sure all cards are in order. Some count observership as USCE, but some progs dont. US surgery progs are still part of the old boys network, they know themselves, and networking is still huge.

I know someone who was an AMG (great schl), with a great step 1 score, 240+, that didnt match in ortho. He didnt have any research and needed visa then. He picked himself up, and got into research, got married to his long time gf, got a GC, and yrs later reapplied, and got in.

Nothing is guaranteed, patience and strategic planning is key. For me, even greater is prayer, as there are no set rules, or standard acceptance guidelines.

Have you researched observership? Where and when? Its more than just doing one but making sure its one that counts. Remember you will need a visa to get in to do it, always plan accordingly.

Also plan on doing your CS exam so you can be ECFMG certified, you can only do CS in the US.

Taking CS in Dec 2012/Jan 2013 wont help you at all, cause it takes like 2months to get CS scores!!! Its not like CK and step 1 which takes 3wks.

Also have you thought about interview season, its usually Oct-Dec/Jan. If you cant leave Egypt till after Dec 2012, then you'll miss interviews if you are blessed to have them.

Are you REALLY sure you are ready for 2013 MATCH????:notsure:

Best wishes
 
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