Research or residency before GS residency

[Working Brain]

I am an IMG, I have completed my graduation in 2007 from a Foreign medical school. During 2006 I took 3 months clerkship at US top university based hospitals in the field of General Surgery, I got a very strong LORs from all, I also got a publication during my clerkship. While working as a research fellow at my home country, I am also studying for USMLEs that I intend to finish by May 2009.This means that I will apply for a General surgery residency position that starts on July 2010, which means I have a free one year between June 2009 & June 2010.

1) From your point of view : what should I do during the free year before my residency in US in-order to be more competitive than other applicants, (a one year of research at a top research project in USA or a one year of residency in General Surgery at my home country) ?

2) Do very strong LORs & a publication all together with 3 months of hands on experience with prominent professors in US decrease the negative effect of low score of USMLE step 1 or step 2 during residency application. (I didn’t take any steps till now)?.

3) Does passing USMLE step 3 before applying to residency make me more competitive from your point of view?


4) Any more advices or suggestions?

Thank you very much for your continous help.

[Skipper]

If you are not a US citizen it will be harder....so you must consider that into the equation

GS is competitive and it is tough even for US IMG, so you might want to consider a backup plan if you are really wanting to do residency in the US

you might be better off doing GS in your homeland

skipper

[dkpwalker]

Originally Posted by AssyrianSkipper

If you are not a US citizen it will be harder....so you must consider that into the equation

GS is competitive and it is tough even for US IMG, so you might want to consider a backup plan if you are really wanting to do residency in the US

you might be better off doing GS in your homeland

skipper

Tough, but not impossible. I think he should go for it and work hard. I am sure you can land a good GS residency with good grades (remember we IMGs are judged harder than the AMGs). As to the step 3, it definately will make you more competitive among other IMGs, and it will help you secure a H1b as opposed to a JI visa if you so desire.

[Working Brain]

thank you very much for your input