Increase chances of gaining a residency spot

[saintcayman]

Hi,

I'll be starting in Jan at an offshore med school. What I would like to know is how can someone like myself who isn't really a traditional medical student (i.e. older, non related academic and work background) increase my chances of gaining a US residency spot? Is getting a residency spot in the States solely based on marks at med school and USMLE scores or are there other factors? I guess my concern is what the other factors are and what I can do before school starts to address those other factors?

Thanks in advance for your responses. I really do appreciate it.

[Jane0899]

Well, I'll be applying for residency this year....and from my friends who did the whole appln process last year, it definitely looks like they very much first consider your USMLE step 1 and 2 scores. Of course, there are places that don't interview FMG's at all, no matter what your scores. In the interview, they look at who you are as a person, so it helps if they like you. Of course, your good scores will also help you at ranking time. Transcripts from the basic sciences hardly get mentioned. They may glance at it, or make a comment, but it's not much of a deal. It's nothing next to your board scores.

You didn't mention name of your school.....I think programs notice that too. It certainly helps if you're from a reputable school.

But, for you at this point, just learn your basic sciences really well, so that later on, you can do really well on the boards.

gluck in med school!

[Jane0899]

I forgot to answer part of your question!

It doesn't really matter what you have done b/f starting med school, basically. Once you start, you'll all in the same boat. That's why med schools only require the premed science classes and not a specific major. Ppl can study whatever they want, even if non-medical at all, as long as they complete the sci classes.

Of course, your experience in other fields will make you seem well-rounded and mature, come interview time....b/c as I said, at interview time, who you are as a person is very imp.

Jane

[julestx]

If you can, do some research while in basic sciences. Its a great opportunity to do research when you have a room full of cadavers - pick something that interests you and run it by the prof, and see through online searches if its been studied before. Then, if you CAN, do a poster-presentation to SOMEBODY - preferably at a conference or gathering in your area of interest, but even to a group of other students at your school. This will help with your studies, wont be too time consuming in the long run, and will look great on your c.v. Maybe you could set something up for students to do presentations.

Also, find some aspect of your medical school's extracurricular activities and sign up (even if it requires weekly meetings, etc). This will give breadth to your c.v. as well. You certainly dont have to be SGA pres or anything, but I"m sure thats nice too

If your school has an opportunity to setup a volunteer screening for something, like blood pressures or gluc monitoring - go for it. You will have that to fill in for your volunteering. You'll not spend more than a day per semester (if that). Your c.v. wont really go back too much further than medical school, when you're applying for residency, so its these little things that you do in med school that are good for ya.

TOP item would be to score well on Step 1. While you have to pass Basic Sciences and deal with various testing methods and styles for 2 yrs - remember that in the long run, the Step 1 is your goal. So have Step 1 study books from Day 1, study for the "big test" as if its coming right up...because those 2 yrs pass by quickly

Finally, set up your elective rotations in two ways: 1) In the hospitals you want to work in and 2) In the specialties you want to work in. Even if some residency programs have a cut off Step 1 score of 220, and you fall below that, if they enjoyed working with you and you showed great promise, they will likely interview you and possibly take you in! They do the same thing for fmg's - even those who dont take in fmg's, they have the freedom to do so.

Hope this helps.

Jules

[saintcayman]

Thanks Jane and Jules for your responses and encouragement! I really appreciate the time and effort you took in responding...Jane-best of wishes on your residency applications.

[livvydoc]

Hey thanx for all of the info. I know I didn't ask the questions but your answers will benefit anyone that has concerns similiar to that of saintcayman. Again, thanks!!