1. I got an elective in plastic surgery in Yale this June,but as the chances of getting in a surgery residency are slim, would this elective help me get a residency in internal med?
No it will not help you. On the contrary it will be counterproductive. IM people usually dislike surgeons and the reverse is true. If you are going to apply for IM then don't mention your surgical elective.
See this
But, let me tell you here that you have a very good chance in surgery. Who said that surgical residency is an impossibility for IMGs! You can get it with such a great elective. But, Plastic surgery ... hmmm ... I think it's impossible
2. Does an ivy league elective have more weightiness?
Oh yes. Definitely. American program directors love big names.
3. If I take my final year exams in January 2011 and do an elective in internal med in USA while waiting fro my final year results, will that count as elective too because technically I will be still in final year until the results are announced?
Absolutely it will be counted as an elective. Anything you do before you get the Diploma in your hand is considered a medical student activity. In fact, this is the trick. Present yourself as an undergraduate so that your
elective be much easier to get than a graduate who has to run after
externships.
4. If I start my USMLE prep in Jan 2011 will I be able to take my steps and apply for a match for 2012?
Please consult the following threads to see how long it takes for each exam prep.
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...s/364-time-needed-prepare-usmle-step-1-a.html
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...hreads/363-time-needed-prepare-step-2-ck.html
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...hreads/366-time-needed-prepare-step-2-cs.html
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...48-how-long-takes-prepare-usmle-step-3-a.html
4. If I start my USMLE prep in Jan 2011 will I be able to take my steps and apply for a match for 2012?
These are the cut off numbers:
-Three years after graduation
-Five years after graduation
-Ten years after graduation
Certain programs do not accept residents after these cut off numbers. In 2012 you will still be in the safe side as you under the lowest threshold. :happy:
Of course the fresher you are the more likely you'll get a residency but everything less than 3 years is considered reasonably fresh.
6 Can one get an H1 visa only after step 3? but I read that step 3 can only be taken after one year of residency?
-Yes. your H1B visa will be issued unless and until you pass Step 3.
-And, No. U can take Step 3 when you get your ECFMG certificate and that can be at any time.
However, if you start residency before doing Step 3 then they'll usually ask you to clear it before you finish the first or the second year (varies among different programs).