RoL Submission & ECFMG Certification

[C35]

So turns out my last elective is expected to finish on Feb 08 2013.

I looked at some of the IM programs that I'm interested in and they stated that one needs to be ECFMG Certified by Feb 15.

"International graduates do not need an ECFMG certificate in order to apply; however, they do need to be ECFMG certified prior to the end of the interview season, which is February 15, 2012. ECFMG certification is required for NRMP ranking."

Now my questions are:

1) Is going for the match still realistically an option for me?

2) Since apps start later this year by 15 days, will the whole timeline also push by 15 days? As in changing the RoL Submission to Feb 30th, and Match a little bit later than normal?

3) I'll have done rotations in FM IM OB and Surgery by the time I send in apps, FM & IM LoRs i'm not concerned about because I aced the rotations, OB I am a little worried about, does it affect me negatively if say I only get a B instead of the A's?


Thanks!

[jcu]

1. Every program that specifies ECFMG certification actually means VERIFICATION. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding on their part, though to be fair most of these programs are used to dealing with AMGs exclusively. You have nothing to worry about and you'll be fine.

2. With respect to ROL submission and the actual match, it is highly unlikely that they'll be delayed by 15 days. But again, that shouldn't matter.

3. A B in OB won't affect you much if you're applying for IM honestly. Will you have 4 LORs more or less ready by Sept. 15? That's key.

[C35]

1. Every program that specifies ECFMG certification actually means VERIFICATION. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding on their part, though to be fair most of these programs are used to dealing with AMGs exclusively. You have nothing to worry about and you'll be fine.

2. With respect to ROL submission and the actual match, it is highly unlikely that they'll be delayed by 15 days. But again, that shouldn't matter.

3. A B in OB won't affect you much if you're applying for IM honestly. Will you have 4 LORs more or less ready by Sept. 15? That's key.

Thanks alot bro!

This stuff effed my entire day up lol.

And yea, I should have 4 LORS by Sept 15th, should I go ahead and do an IM elective instead of Psych or Peds?

[jcu]

No worries. When you register for the NRMP some time in September there is an "ECFMG status" section. As long as it says verified you're gold. And if you can get an IM elective or IM sub-i before September, that would definitely be a good idea. That isn't to say that an LOR from your psych or peds core would be less meaningful, but the more "interest" you show in IM the better.