A lot of programs write on their website that they require this when you apply. Does that rule you out of getting an interview at those places? In other words does not having an ecfmg certificate yet (havent graduated yet) seriously handicap you in several positions.

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interventional neuroradiology bound... or bust

I wouldnt think so,. These programs have to know that you will get your ecfmg certificate once you graduate.

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No, it doesnt. I asked the residency that I am in about that and they said that it was put there for "real" fmg's from other countries. The philosophy behind that was not wanted to waste time and money interviewing someone from another country unless they were absolutely sure that if they chose them they would be eligable to practice by the 1st day of residency. If you an fmg who is a u.s. citizen it isnt a big deal at all not having it.

So, I guess it will take a program that is really knowledgeable of the caribbean schools and their student body (mostly US citizens). Some schools might not be

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There is a lot of gossip in these forums. So I like to keep it fair and balanced



interventional neuroradiology bound... or bust

No I don't think so. I remembered when I applied for eras in Aug, I had not taking Step 2 CS yet until Oct, and yet I still got interviews invitation before my ECFMG issued. When I got accepted to my IM program, they made sure I sent the copy of ECFMG certificate to them before they sent me my resident 's contract to sign

The Answer is NO. You need to have graduated by the time you start residency. Most residency programs dont want on file a huge diploma from some school in the caribbean. AND since ecfmg is our supervisor of Examination. Ecfmg will issue you a ecfmg certificate that you have completed your step 1 step 2 ck and cs. Those three exams are required to start residency. You do not need to have an ecfmg certificate while you interview, but you must have an ecfmg before you begin residency and it must be on file with that program.

Ross actually does a pretty good job with that. You should receive your ecfmg certificate about 2-3 weeks after you receive your school diploma. The school does all the filing for that.
It will not hinder you at all while you interview. Remember most that interview are 4th year students only half way into their 4th year.

yes and no...there are some programs that DO require ECFMG cert in hand for even an interview or to be ranked, BUT many of the places that put that on their website are confusing ECFMG certified with ECFMG verified...once you say you will have all of your steps scores by the ROL due date, they are fine with it...

and you will still need to send a copy of your diploma (sometimes noterized) to the program you match..they will want you to however shrink it down to letter size (sgu sends 2 letter-sized copies with the actual diploma).


best to call the programs you are interested in that post the need of an ecfmg cert and see if its a real requirement...

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I disagree.

I think it does matter, simply because a lot of programs are not aware how it works for Ross and other Caribbean grads.

My first year I applied without the ECFMG and did not get that many interviews and did not match.

The next year I applied with it and go TONS of interviews.

Since most program directors are not aware of how it works for us, I would individually email programs that you don't get an interview from.

also, I was reading that that you can't get an interview from texas if you are not certified! Some new rule they have?

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There is a lot of gossip in these forums. So I like to keep it fair and balanced



interventional neuroradiology bound... or bust

I am not sure what is your situation or what specialty you applied. But when I applied for 2005 Match for internal medicine, I did not have my ECFMG certification yet and I got 18 invitations for interview from east and west coast programs (both university and community programs). I did not applied for Texas though, I applied and got interview from California, NY, NJ, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, PA, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Arizona and Nevada.
I matched in 2005 as a 1st time apply. I don't think my program or any program I ranked ask my about my ECFMG certification when they interview me. I got my ECFMG certification on March 2005, I found out I match in Apr 2005. My program only asked about that certification before they send the contract of resident for me to sign. As I understand, you can not start residency or lose your spot if you don't have the ECFMG certification and the medschool diploma by the end of June.