Thread: Resdences

ok, lets assume you go to MUA or any of the good carribbean medical schools, how hard it is to get a residency. I heard that only 50% of students make it, I mean the # is pretty scary. I don't care about the stigma, but how hard it is to land a residency lets say in primary care medicine such as OB/GYN in a state like NY assuming that you scored average in your exams. thanks a lot, any answer or personal experience would help alot.

If you pass the boards and have good LORs you should be fine. Around 90% of the graduating class match into residency from the big 4 and some 2nd tier schools.

GO to NRMP.org and check the charting outcomes for match of 2007 (thats the latest). Don't go by opinion. Fact is fact, 50% of IMGs matched in 2007, and the average step score for Matched IMGs was 209. Average for US was 220. You'll get info for OB/GYN on there as well. As far as I Know, it's not a competitive speciality. Depends on programs you apply- hope this helps.

50% is for all IMGs, there are about 30 med schools in carib + European + Asian schools. If you got to a good school in the carib you should have a high chance of getting a residency if you pass your boards

Originally Posted by Unaccomplished

GO to NRMP.org and check the charting outcomes for match of 2007 (thats the latest). Don't go by opinion. Fact is fact, 50% of IMGs matched in 2007, and the average step score for Matched IMGs was 209. Average for US was 220. You'll get info for OB/GYN on there as well. As far as I Know, it's not a competitive speciality. Depends on programs you apply- hope this helps.

so you are saying that IMG are not granted a residence so per say, if you go to any of the top four schools and did ok, you still may not find a residency?

I'm at one of the better schools. Don't listen to anybody that tells you that you that you'll have a problem get a residency. As long as you pass your steps the first time and have them done by Sept 1 of the year you're applying you should be fine. Your chances of matching go down if you fail any of the steps and by the number of times you fail.

Take it from me. I have very poor step scores, but passed the first time by Sept 1 of this year and I have received more invites than I can handle to some very good programs.

Don't let anyone discourage you but be prepared to work harder than you could ever imagine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Originally Posted by medguy

I'm at one of the better schools. Don't listen to anybody that tells you that you that you'll have a problem get a residency. As long as you pass your steps the first time and have them done by Sept 1 of the year you're applying you should be fine. Your chances of matching go down if you fail any of the steps and by the number of times you fail.

Take it from me. I have very poor step scores, but passed the first time by Sept 1 of this year and I have received more invites than I can handle to some very good programs.

Don't let anyone discourage you but be prepared to work harder than you could ever imagine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks for the encourgment, would you mind giving an idea about what school u go to now, and for undergraduate. I am curious lol

Residency is not about words of encouragement or the random outliers, it should be based on factual information. NRMP charting outcomes are factual information.They are not opinions. It is the statistics. If you actually don't waste time getting opinions and instead look at the 140 pg PDF file for 2007 you will see for yourself that there are individuals that have matched with "poor" scores in competitive specialities. But not everything is black & White. Sometimes these individuals with poor scores, have stellar recommendations, or research and publications, or even connections. Take a look at your step score, in combination with your CV & Clinical and pre-clinical grades, and you decide if you fit in the categories of the individuals matched. This will give you a more realistic idea of your chances. Saying that, if you actually READ the file you will see that one of the top 5 specialities that IMGS match in is OBGYN. I urge people to READ and stop seeking random peoples opinions

"Residency is not about words of encouragement or the random outliers, it should be based on factual information."

This is almost correct. You cannot be encouraged into a residency. However, you can be encouraged to work hard to get that residency. And unaccomplished is right about the 50% stat. But that takes into consideration applicants from all over the world, those that need visa's, those with low scores, those with multiple fails.

USIMG's from the reputable schools in the Carib do pretty well.

As I said, I come from one of the better schools in the Carib, I have no connections and I'm having no problems. I do have good grades and good LOR's. Remember, first time pass on steps 1 and 2 CK/CS before match apps start. I really believe this is key

Please don't misunderstand anything I say. This is not an easy way to become a physician. You'll only get out of it what you put into it.

Just work hard. Only you can determine how well you'll do.

There are 100s of international schools that are attended by American citizens, NRMP plots all their results. Also they have not included the pre match stats in their 50% statistic. If you go to a good school in the carib you should be alright.