Clinicals in US vs. Clinicals outside US

[ari_ela]

I am a med student in the Philippines. In my 4th year we can do rotations in the States for part of the year and can continue in we can find some rotations on our own.

Now here's what I don't understand. The school I attend can give us some core rotations at a hospital that only has FM ACGME approved.

Everyone I spoke to tells me to do at least my core rotations at ACGME approved programs to avoid future licensing problems. I will most likely not be able to secure that.

It seems however that when students complete all rotations outside US they won't have future licensing problems.

So my question is: what are the advantages of doing rotations in the US if they're not ACGME approved as opposed to doing them in the country your medical school is located? Is it because residency programs prefer you to have US clinical experience?

HELP!

[k_tanaka]

I am a med student in the Philippines. In my 4th year we can do rotations in the States for part of the year and can continue in we can find some rotations on our own.

Now here's what I don't understand. The school I attend can give us some core rotations at a hospital that only has FM ACGME approved.

Everyone I spoke to tells me to do at least my core rotations at ACGME approved programs to avoid future licensing problems. I will most likely not be able to secure that.

It seems however that when students complete all rotations outside US they won't have future licensing problems.

So my question is: what are the advantages of doing rotations in the US if they're not ACGME approved as opposed to doing them in the country your medical school is located? Is it because residency programs prefer you to have US clinical experience?A big resounding YES!

Advantages:
The chance of getting US based letters of reference/recommendation. A "US" training-exposure. Gives you quite a sizeable advantage when applying for a residency. The hospitals you rotate through, if they like you might give you an offer outside of the match?

Just be sure you score 220 and above on step1, then you wont have a problem getting an acgme rotation anywhere in the US that allows IMG's or FMG's into their clerkship programs.

[Locutusofborg]

The previous question still stands! I know for a fact that doing your entire MD school curriculum outside the US at an approved school poses no licensing issues (my father is an FMG and he's licensed in Cali and a few other states we lived in). But what if an IMG has some non-ACGME approved rotations in the US? Would that pose licensing problems? Recommendation letters are nice, but I would hate to have a problem with licensing boards...

And if there is no problem, why do people spend so much resources seeking out "green book" rotations?

[trauma]

If you have to prioritize things, getting approved by all licensing boards will be better but getting LOR from a US attending has some pluses for residency applications. In the end, as an FMG, USMLE step scores will be your gateway.