[boom]

Hi everyone!

I'm an IMG, who planned to participate in the match 2011. All my LORs, transcript and MSPE have been scanned since late last month but I've decided to wait and find out the results of my CS which came out last week. So now, I've passed steps 1, 2ck and cs = ECFMG certified, but now I'm wondering if I've waited too long to start applying to programs.

I've a number of reasons why I feel hesitant to apply now: 1) my step 1 score isn't competitive (81), step 2 ck is 87, passed CS, all on 1st attempt, 2) no USCE, 3) 2005 grad, 4) will require visa sponsorship.

I'm getting pretty overwhelmed and confused now bout what I'm supposed to do. I fear that applying at this time would mean that I've lesser chances of getting interviews as opposed to if I've applied early on in September. I'm in desperate need of advise. I feel that it would be more practical and economical if I participate in the match next year (2012) so that at least by that time, I'll have done Step 3, have more opportunities to look for USCE... but trying for next year instead means I'll be a 6-year old graduate...

Please advise me regarding my chances of getting any interviews if I apply now (mid-october) given my profile and/or will it benefit me more if I participate in the 2012 match instead and work on strengthening my credentials.

Thank you!

 

[charu77us]

Hi there,


I can understand your apprehension and concern, and this time period is probably the most difficult time we doctors will face, besides our lovely residency ....hehehehe.......but my sincere suggestion is you will always come in a situation pertaining your career where u will be confused, or at some crossroads situation, not really sure what you should do, or how to go about it. U r ECFMG certified which is what matters the most, and you have performed well to get interviews, not everyone is gonna be a double 99er, and programs just don't look for that.....never think its too late for anything, u can still make it, you can even be a scrambler in march, if u decide to go ahead and apply u can also update all the programs about ur current USCE......but I think you should try before thinking you have not gotten a chance. It doesn't matter about ur timeframe from when you graduated, what is the thing that matters that you will present urself in a convincing manner when u go for an interview, and assure them your gonna be a great asset to their residency program. Its your call, u can try at least, you just dont know what can happen, and where ur fate can land up.......dont sell yourself short before even running the race, i know its easier said then done.....but be bold and take the plung, the worst thing that happens is you dont get it this year, big deal, the world has not ended right, gives u more time to get more experience, and build that CV up, but always try, let God decide what is gonna happen, I know ppl who joined residency in the month of August and i know plenty of ppl who scrambled......i hope I was able to help in some way.....be calm, and have faith in urself, becus ur surely gonna make it.. God bless If you have some other concerns about application fees and the overall expense, then u can apply to a few places....

 

[boom]

Thanks a lot, charu77us! I really really appreciate your words of encouragement. You're right, we just need to take the plunge and let God take care of it for us from there.

It just gets really crazy sometimes, especially when you hear 99ers on both steps with better credentials who get nothing but rejections... I often wonder, where did their applications go wrong? They seem to be stellar applicants and yet, no invites.

But do you've any idea, though, if an IMG applying on mid-october is a good decision? Or should we always strive to apply on the 1st of september? Does it really make a difference when we apply?

 

[charu77us]

hi boom,

I know it can be shocking to see double 99ers not getting any calls, but i think alot of times we tend to get carried away by those numbers thinking that is the only thing that the programs are looking for. Definitely its a plus point, but imagine if ur a program director and see 99s after 99, there is really nothing significant but that number......henceforth pls go ahead and do other things to brushen urself up like USCE, research, that is what counts the most.......now coming to the question about mid October applying, technically ur not completely late, i think if u upload around mid nov there is a late fee after that, don't quote me on this, pls confirm on the respective sites, but I guess it also depends what residency ur looking for, if u want IM that is fine, i would check the current stats for last year to see where majority of the applicants were getting in....dont be rigid on what ur applying for be open minded, if u upload by sept 1st its always better if ur an IMG and if there are any other formalities that could be an issue, but at the end of the day, its the overall package of how everything will come together to tel u frankly.......make sure u have good LORs, they hold heavy weightage....also the uploading of application, and residency program deadlines, those dates are not the same, so make sure u check them all. September 1st is wen ppl start to apply becus this process is very lengthy for the program directors, and so many ppl apply, but pls see the deadline, u can even call some programs and speak to someone to find out exactly, and interviews get carried upto the very end.......hope this helped u......go ahead and follow ur dreams!!!

 

[StepTaker]

Go ahead and do it

But do you've any idea, though, if an IMG applying on mid-october is a good decision? Or should we always strive to apply on the 1st of September? Does it really make a difference when we apply?

Applying mid-October to Internal Medicine certainly has much lower chances than September 1st. But you have nothing to lose in trying. Just try with few "low profile" programs and see if you get anything.
Also as charu77us said, you will have the scramble chance. If you don't apply to the main match (at least one program) then they won't allow you to enter the scramble.
So go ahead and do it.

 

[boom]

Scramble

Thanks a lot, charu and step taker!

I'm curious about the scramble process... have there been situations when an applicant got a match via the scramble and was still sponsored an H1b visa?

And I seem to remember reading from NRMP that one can even apply to programs that you didn't apply to before for the matching season or programs that you weren't called for interviews, that correct?

Thanks!

 

[Sabio]

Two answers

Thanks a lot, charu and step taker!

I'm curious about the scramble process... have there been situations when an applicant got a match via the scramble and was still sponsored an H1b visa?

And I seem to remember reading from NRMP that one can even apply to programs that you didn't apply to before for the matching season or programs that you weren't called for interviews, that correct?

Thanks!

Your first question is answered here http://www.usmle-forums.com/residen...onsorships-successful-scramble-applicant.html

Your second question:
Yes. You can apply to whatever program that has unfilled position in the scramble. However please remember that if you were interviewed in a program and you did not match in it, it means that they did not rank or ranked you very low and there's a small chance that they change their mind in the scramble.

 

[missmbbs]

Apply!!

My two cents says to apply!!! It's never ever too late!! If you want to be competitive it's good for you to get Step 3 over with too.

Even in your app you can put will be taking ...etc...

The biggest hurdle is passing the exams. There are people with multiple failures who still get a residency spot. They may give up the big city for a rural place but it is a small sacrifice in the long run.

One residency is over, you're done. Free to do whatever. Never give up....keep going. You will get there!!!!!