USMLE: US vs. IMG

[abMD2b]

Is there a big difference in the scores? I am assuming that a 230 from a US school is better than a 230 from Ross. Am I incorrect in thinking this?

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Is there a big difference in the scores? I am assuming that a 230 from a US school is better than a 230 from Ross. Am I incorrect in thinking this?

Ross is not administering the test. A score of 230 on the USMLE means the same anywhere you come from.

[Swaydaa]

It depends on your whole application, but if everything else is the same, someone scoring a 230 from a U.S. has a much better chance then someone who scored a 230 attending ROSS...bottom line.

[abMD2b]

Yes, I understand that a 230 is the same as a 230 in terms of individual achievement on the exam, but my question was directed towards residency and how a program would view the two applicants.

[obadya00]

how do you think :roll:

[nyphys1]

A 230 from Ross will certainly open doors and interviews at many hospitals in manyspecialties.Does it make you equal to a US grad with the same or even lower scores? NO.That is because its not only scores that are considered but performance in school,the reputation of the school,research,and letters from known faculty memebers are all factors.So things are not just a number.This is true for US schools.Someone with a 210 from Columbia will be considered more highly by most hospitals than than a higher score from most US schools.Why? Becacuse of the percieved quality of the school and of its students.Remember most US med studencts have a few weeks or a month to study for this test.Carribean students spend much longer prepaing for it.The scores cannot so easily be compared.

[jim]

the scores are the same, and there are always more factors, but i have heard residency directors say they are attracted to FMGs from ross and SGU when they see the high scores, as some actually do realise what we go through to get them! I am not saying you will beat out a harvard grad with the same score, but i am saying they will sure look long at your app.

[HospitalAdministrator]

I dont think it's that simple that a 230 from US school is going to be that much better than a 230 from Ross. I think there are examples on the contrary which of course cannot be verified. Remember, for starters about 40% of the Physicians in some US cities are foriegn born or foriegn educated and they may give an edge to those from foriegn schools, not that Ross is entirely a foreign school which is not. Ross does an outstanding job in educating in the Science area, thats quite well known, the grading is tough, its not like a lot of state supported schools where those P, HP, and H and used and nearly every students makes it through. Frankly, there are a number of US med schools that arent that highly thought of. You will also note that the large numbe of foriegn students in the three prestigous Medical schools in the US. So foriegn isnt in bad taste. One can of course, make a case otherwise and argue the other side of things. I think you will find pretty much your credentials, that includes grades, USMLE testing and the like that will allow you to prevail. And that in plenty of cases is the determining factor. Richard.

[Daniel]

we live in an imperfect world. there is still discrimination and ignorant notions all abound, especially concerning FMGs. because of this, i would have to say that a 230 from a US school would always look better than a 230 from ross.

i know the USMLE is a standardized exam and a 230 should stand on its own. but no one can fully understand the rationale of some program directors...especially in the ultra-competitive residencies.

simply put...a 230 from a US school may get you an interview for derm, ortho, ENT, urology....i doubt a 230 from ross will get you those same interviews (unless they had connections). to get a derm interview coming from ross, you'd probably need something closer to a 260 PLUS luck.

[TinyChinese]

..not that easy to score 230 and above on usmle ...

i dont think scholl would matter ....that much

[ny_doctor_dream]

A Harvard graduate got 36 on MCAT
A community college graduate got 36 on MCAT.

Who's better? I don't know, I have to see what happen later in their lives.

[Daniel]

A Harvard graduate got 36 on MCAT
A community college graduate got 36 on MCAT.

Who's better? I don't know, I have to see what happen later in their lives.

as with anything, time will tell. but if given a choice and all other things being equal, i'd rather be a harvard grad than not. wouldnt you?

[ny_doctor_dream]

A Harvard graduate got 36 on MCAT
A community college graduate got 36 on MCAT.

Who's better? I don't know, I have to see what happen later in their lives.

as with anything, time will tell. but if given a choice and all other things being equal, i'd rather be a harvard grad than not. wouldnt you?

True, the Harvard graduate certainly have a better chance to be more successful as MCAT is not everything. The learning and life experience in Harvard is also invaluable.

[cmbtdoc]

A Harvard graduate got 36 on MCAT
A community college graduate got 36 on MCAT.

Who's better? I don't know, I have to see what happen later in their lives.

as with anything, time will tell. but if given a choice and all other things being equal, i'd rather be a harvard grad than not. wouldnt you?

True, the Harvard graduate certainly have a better chance to be more successful as MCAT is not everything. The learning and life experience in Harvard is also invaluable.

Not to mention the "contacts". Pres Dubya Bush was a D student in Yale. Interestingly, his Dad (Pres. Bush I) and granddad (Senator Bush) were Yale alumni too. Try graduating from East Bumf--k Univ with a D average and see if you become CIA director, much less President of the lone Hyperpower of this planet.