[DoctorMommy]

Hello, this is my first post here!

I am an IMG from Dominican Republic, 26 years old, graduated in January 2013. I am married with a 3 month-old baby.

This is my post-graduation story...
After my graduation I started my clerkship (which is mandatory in my country in order to have your license), it was as a cardiovascular research assistant for one year, I have two local publications from that. In February 2014 I was accepted with a scholarship to start the post-graduation course Principles and Practice of Clinical Research with Harvard University, which I completed in November and got a special award for my dedication to the course, I also participated in a statistics workshop offered in Harvard. This year Harvard invited me to be the site monitor of the course in my country and I accepted (for more information on this course http://ppcr.hms.harvard.edu/).
Right now I am the coordinator of two research projects and I am working as a medical assistant.

I have just decided to take the USMLE, I was going to specialize here in my country, but after having a child, I am not willing to undergo the abuses that are commited here with residents (like 36 hours of service with total sleep deprivation), I have American visa, I have family in the US and my sister have been studying for USMLE since last year and would take the test along with me.

I am worried that taking the test in 2016 would make me too old for the match, so, with my busy schedule and a home I have been studying 6 hours every night for 3 weeks now, hoping to take the step 1 in December 2015. Am I too rush? What are my chances in the Match for Psychiatry if I take Step 1 by 2016? (I am willing to work for a year in the US and volunteering)

I really appreciate your advices lz: . Thank you!

 

[UCNE2015]

Hello there,
First of all, congratulations for your hard work and dedications. I am actually a medical student in your country. I am in my 7th cuatrimester and start studying for the USMLE step one some weeks ago along with my classes, so our plan is different for sure, but I would like to assume that between now and December, you should have enough time to get ready for that exam and ace it if you design a good plan and are ready to stick to it like a religious person because we definitely need consistency to score high in the exam.
So, we cannot really tell you what you could do best if you don't lay out your plan and the materials that you're using for that marathon. By the way, age is not an issue when it comes to the match process because we have students of all ages and backgrounds into the American medical schools and US citizens abroad who plan to get into residency there as well. All you have to do is nourish your dream by studying hard and smart on a daily basis, and by December you should be seriously ready to crush the step 1. May God help you by giving you strength and wisdom to achieve your goal, you can do it because a lot people have done it before, you are not the first or the last IMG taking that exam, therefore, yes, you can do it, and you will do it. I'll waiting for you to post your experience right here in this forum to help others.

 

[ovallecc]

It all depends on you!

Hello there! I graduated in 2011 at the UASD, and actually living in Prague, Czech Republic after completed a Master's degree in Medical Research in Seville, Spain where I was working in the Physiology and Biophysics department there.

Living in this country I do not even pretend to work here because of the language barrier, not good salaries at all and so on... So I am pursuing to make my PhD in Germany which is a more open mind and international country, but in the mean time I've decided to study for the USMLE, just in case my plans back fires, I am married with 4 months child as well, and I really understand your situation and especially what are you talking about the abuses in the residencies there (same reasons why I decided to "escape" from there).

But the point is: I personally think that to take your time and learn with base to reach this goal is what really matter, and not just the time you take for it, I do not mean to take a decade or 5 years, but just to be patient not forgetting your goals and be consistent. I actually have a Colombian friend who took two years studying but took the exam just one time and got very high score and is actually in one of the best hospitals in NYC.

This is my advice: every one have a very particular personal situation, Do not forget your final goal and work for it consistently, but please DO NOT kill yourself, is actually better to take your time and do not fail because it could impact you emotionally and discourage you. KEEP GOING at your rhythm!

 

[DoctorMommy]

Thank you

Hello there! I graduated in 2011 at the UASD, and actually living in Prague, Czech Republic after completed a Master's degree in Medical Research in Seville, Spain where I was working in the Physiology and Biophysics department there.

Living in this country I do not even pretend to work here because of the language barrier, not good salaries at all and so on... So I am pursuing to make my PhD in Germany which is a more open mind and international country, but in the mean time I've decided to study for the USMLE, just in case my plans back fires, I am married with 4 months child as well, and I really understand your situation and especially what are you talking about the abuses in the residencies there (same reasons why I decided to "escape" from there).

But the point is: I personally think that to take your time and learn with base to reach this goal is what really matter, and not just the time you take for it, I do not mean to take a decade or 5 years, but just to be patient not forgetting your goals and be consistent. I actually have a Colombian friend who took two years studying but took the exam just one time and got very high score and is actually in one of the best hospitals in NYC.

This is my advice: every one have a very particular personal situation, Do not forget your final goal and work for it consistently, but please DO NOT kill yourself, is actually better to take your time and do not fail because it could impact you emotionally and discourage you. KEEP GOING at your rhythm!

Oh, that's so nice, we both have children with the exact same age! It is so good to find people in the same situation as me. Thank you for your advice. Where are you from (city)?

 

[ovallecc]

Hi!

Hi there! I am from Santiago, but practically I've lived in all the cities of our country.

Hey! Actually I'm actually planning to make a Whats app group (just 10 people) and graduated too. Let's get in touch!

 

[DoctorMommy]

Hi there! I am from Santiago, but practically I've lived in all the cities of our country.

Hey! Actually I'm actually planning to make a Whats app group (just 10 people) and graduated too. Let's get in touch!

Great, I am from Santiago, too!! I will send you my whatsapp number in a pm