USMLE Forums banner

Which sequence of filters you think is correct?

  • AMG vz IMG / Scores / Visa / USCE / Age / CV

    Votes: 106 45.3%
  • AMG vz IMG / Scores / USCE / Visa / Age / CV

    Votes: 98 41.9%
  • AMG vz IMG / Scores / Age / USCE / Visa / CV

    Votes: 25 10.7%
  • None of these

    Votes: 11 4.7%
1 - 20 of 40 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Here I describe the process by which candidates are going to be filtered by the match programs

Filter One (American Grads Vz IMGs): Certainly AMG are preferred. In fact many programs tend to stay away from IMGs. Note that this filter is not about nationality or ethnicity, so e.g. if you are American and graduated from a medical school outside of US or Canada you still count as an IMG.

Filter Two (USMLE scores): Can't be stressed enough. This is the most important "modifiable factor" for all of us. The higher score the more likely we'll be matched. Certain programs even has a score threshold e.g not accepting scores below 85.

Filter Three (Visa requirement): Undoubtedly, those with no need for visa are preferred i.e. US citizens and green card holders. Some programs do not provide visa sponsorship.

Filter Four (USCE): having done externship, observership, or any other kind of US clinical experience is your fourth filter.

Filter Five (Age): Although most programs say we don't discriminate by age but in reality they do. The fresher the graduate the more likely he or she accepted. Some think that there's a threshold here, which is 5 years after graduation but I don't think so. I know many many who's got high profile matches 10 and 15 years after gradaution.

Filter Six (Your CV): Hate to say that this is the last filter but still it's a filter. So your research, medical degrees, and prior clinical experience are also factors that play role only when you pass the previous five filter.

These filters work in sequence, so e.g if you are an IMG, no matter how high is your score you application will be likely be tossed away if you are being compared to an AMG.

Am going to put a poll with this thread let's see what you think about these filters :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
What if some one has a 75 in step1 and a 95 in sep2,are there 2 different subfilters?????
Which one to go with or any with 85 plus will be "in"
Unfortunately, Step 1 score is far more important than Step 2

The reason for this is that many American Grads apply for the match before even taking step 2 CK or CS
this trend has also become common among fresh IMGs
So the comparative joint is step 1 more than step 2

However, that doesn't mean you are not going to get a match
I've seen your other post
I think you have pretty good chances

Wish you all the luck and tell us what happens with you soon
 

· Registered
Joined
·
585 Posts
Connections

I voted "none of these"

You forgot something very important my dear

connections connections connections

if you have a strong connection you'll blow up all those filters

My friend is an old grad, need visa, has no USCE, has scores in lower 80s, he's an IMG and he was matched in a universtiy program, how, CONNECTIONS
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Thanks, steptaker. But how about online taken CME? I'm IMG, 10 yrs freshness, I've got several online CME from different US medical schools.Can they be useful when apply to residency?
These are certainly useful specially if they are AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
However, there are stronger highlights that you can put in your CV such as a current valid AHA-accredited ACLS or PALS certificates.
Of course both of online CME and Life support courses don't rank up to the level of any observership or externship or research that you do in US.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,337 Posts
Excuse me Micheal

it is not a matter of prefering AMG or IMG
it is positions priority which is normally and naturally
will be given for US graduate but I think AMG have number of positions
for them for match and IMG have certain number of positions for match

Regards
It is a matter of AMG versus IMG.
It should be like that.
Would you give priority to foreigners in your country?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
43 Posts
It is a matter of AMG versus IMG.
It should be like that.
Would give priority to foreigners in your country?
if it is a matter like that let's make it who is the best ?
Believe me This issue is every part of the world that's all foreigners VS citizens not only US.even my country they recruit US or Canadian Physicians
and still present and I don't mind at all. every one in this life has destined
his/her future just work harder to find it,by the way u still medical student
so enjoy your studying medicine then think about this issue later on
I don't mean to be selfish or racist. good luck for every physician :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
247 Posts
Filter Two (USMLE scores): Can't be stressed enough. This is the most important "modifiable factor" for all of us. The higher score the more likely we'll be matched. Certain programs even has a score threshold e.g not accepting scores below 85.

I heard that some program filter last usmle step score ..... I don't know it is true or not ..... so i am a little bit worried about taking step 3 .... if i take it , would they count my last step 3 score in a filter ..... because , recently I met 2 program coordinator .... they said if possible take step 3 and it is important .......

Thank You
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,200 Posts
Discussion Starter · #18 ·
I heard that some program filter last usmle step score ..... I don't know it is true or not ..... so i am a little bit worried about taking step 3 .... if i take it , would they count my last step 3 score in a filter ..... because , recently I met 2 program coordinator .... they said if possible take step 3 and it is important .......
It's not true that they look at your last score.
Each step is compared to the same step scores by other applicants.
The most important step is Step 1 and for details about this issue read here http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-a...e-more-important-than-usmle-step-2-score.html

Step 3 score does play some role, the fact that you pass it with high score give further confidence in your profile but you also run the risk of scoring low in it which will hurt your profile. If you don't need H1B Visa, I advise you to leave Step 3 to after the interviews.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1 Posts
Validity of USMLE scores

I'm an old graduate - 1990. Did USMLE 1 and 2 in 1995. Then there was no need for CS. So got an ECFMG cert. Is it still valid.? I'm told it is past 7 years and of no use.
I dont mind writing it since my scores were only 80 then. Please advice.
Also, please tell me if my age is a big disadvantage. Should I write at all?
 
1 - 20 of 40 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top