Tell us your IMG matching story

[Mle2residency.]

Hi,

NOTE: this thread is unusual and those who are sometimes broken hearted as I am right now...I must say any one who is still preparing for USMLE not to read ahead of the thread..because some may blame me for discouraging...i am full of my personal emotion while writing this thread...I m sorry ..i have to share, to let it go away from me...

I am very depressed ...I dont know it is appropriate to post or not ..i saw people here with very knowledge of true condition, and truth and sharing their knowledge and information great..I wish I would have known this earlier..I came to know about this forum after I took step 1...as watching through these forums and talking to people who are trying to find residency post in USA..its seems very difficult...

People getting interview only with high scores only!! 240' s

2 years back when I started prep, people told that if u score above 90 .. then u have pretty good chance to get IM residency....Now WTF!!! the scoring system has changed...I secured 217/92 on step 1, approximately 1.5 yrs back...so Now, 217 seems pretty low on 3 digit...
and CK its 228...
CS --yet to take
no USCE

So should I forget IM...?

and for Family Medicine I think its not IMG friendly...because more than 65% of them require US citizenship a
50 % of them require citizenship/GC + 6months-1yr US medical school experience....this is a close block for IMG/FMG...
these are data obtained from the websites FRIEDA

so...what I understood...pediatrics is most IMG friendly....few require USCE and score are not high enough to get interview...

As, I am applying for 2013 match...I want to get prepared for which residency I should try...I think its better to have something than to have nothing...changing my focus from IM to pediatrics...

my credentials for 2013 match

step 1 -217---(this score is low?? for IM?)
step 2 -228
CS- yet to take--hoping to pass it with first attempt
USCE- trying to find
Visa- GC (lucky or unlucky still trying to figure got through family sponsor)..reason behind trying for USA
YOG- 2011

I dont know any one got match offer and who those are getting interview....No posts of them further....if any one could share his experience..as credential of mine..Forum Masters..if any one got interview or match do favor ...please post ur credentials and mating success so that we fellow IMGs get an idea which way to go...:sorry:

[OTAV]

Dear friend, never ever give up!
I am a 12 yr old grad moved to the US 2 yr ago. I have passed the steps and the most important think that is in my mind to get interviews is CONTACTS. I did a volunteer job in a hospital and the doctors saw my interest and capacity and helped me with LORS which were very strong. So, besides good grades, CV, visa there is something called contacts that are very very important...at least to me..I applied for 49 places got 20 IVs my scores 97 Step 1, 99 step 2 and CS passed 1 attempt.

DO NOT GIVE UP

[ammarsharif]

i agree with the above post if u have any contacts or even if u dont apply for observerships and make an impression score letters and maybe the chance of an interview at places u do the observership at
also needed to ask whats the deal of a sponsored green card??? as in did u marry a citizen or is there another route??

[heman466s]

this could be a very helpful post.. cud we have more people pitching in??

[vaibhavmanu]

From what I know, currently contacts are the way to get into US. I wouldn't have been giving USMLEs if I didn't know anyone there.

The normal way has gotten pretty tough lately but it surely isn't impossible. You just have to keep working.

In your case, I think the major problem is that you aren't ECFMG certified yet. And that's the most important thing you should take care of first. After you are certified, you will get many opportunities to work in research or even as an extern. I know plenty of people who didn't get residency in first try but they did in second. They spent a year there doing extra work & making contacts.

Another major boost to the CV is passing of Step 3. It gives a major edge over other candidates as the program director won't have to worry about giving study leave to you during residency.

So, don't worry. And just keep working. You will get your desired field in residency.

[Mle2residency.]

Originally Posted by ammarsharif

i agree with the above post if u have any contacts or even if u dont apply for observerships and make an impression score letters and maybe the chance of an interview at places u do the observership at
also needed to ask whats the deal of a sponsored green card??? as in did u marry a citizen or is there another route??

NOnO..i didnt have to marry...it was because of my parents....who were citizen..

[Mle2residency.]

Hi everybody...thank you for the suggestions...u r rt..

The whole picture is very Clear to me now as I am in USA..since being 2 months in usa...I am relaxed now..Contacts really does matter...I found people who really helping me because one can see I am not the best but I am not bad either and got everything...Believe me I talked to many professors and they said We like you...you got everything ,they says scores are just numbers besides ur scores are not bad either....you got to have everything..u r presentable , adaptable,smart, hard working,.and if u r GC holder or citizen..that is very plus..because u know US culture....g...Scores are just numbers.u have to have everything ,even the contacts..

The things required for residency-->

1.Idea about USA ---is not a place for bull shitting...if you r not smart..if u have no contact, u dont have any western idea,and if u think u r only here to get fellow or residency , no one to support You.. should not think for USA....
2.Get a descent score.no PDs expect u to get 99s ..(but if 99s then its awesome)
3.graduation date less than 2 yrs very good...more than 5 yrs u missed 50% interview already.VERY important factor
4.US experience find to try attachment after ECFMG cert..lucky if if u get before ecfmg cert.....Dont go for those **** paid externship
5.Reseach papers US based research, previous work in home schools research
6.US Lors( from contacts and or true experience)



rest all is bull ****....i hope this helps eveyone..to get better picuture...and yes..i saw recent grad 99s not getting single interview...so its not scores everything that u all need...
thanx..

[dianamar]

What do you know about what matters when applying for General Surgery: more clinical experience or research? (In general). Thank you for your recommendations.

[sndhgrvr]

Originally Posted by OTAV

Dear friend, never ever give up!
I am a 12 yr old grad moved to the US 2 yr ago. I have passed the steps and the most important think that is in my mind to get interviews is CONTACTS. I did a volunteer job in a hospital and the doctors saw my interest and capacity and helped me with LORS which were very strong. So, besides good grades, CV, visa there is something called contacts that are very very important...at least to me..I applied for 49 places got 20 IVs my scores 97 Step 1, 99 step 2 and CS passed 1 attempt.

DO NOT GIVE UP

Hi! can I ask you something? I have been looking into the volunteer aspect to get a feel of the US medical system before taking cs .. could you elaborate as to what type of volunteerism exactly? because I could only find out about the hospital volunteerism which didn't highlight any medical aspect and I am not sure whether I would fit into the practicing physicians who volunteer . Any information would be appreciated ... thanx!