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I am new to the USMLE, and I am an IMG not newly graduate (1989, and practiced as a cardiologist for 6 years in my country, and my first language is not English), now I am ready to take the USMLE. I am seeking for some advices and suggestion on how and where I should start. Have you seen anyone with similar background? How long will it take normally for people like me?
Any help will be very appreciated!
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
akhan18 Forum Junior
Topics: 9 Posts: 32
01/31/05 - 09:39 AM
#2
hi i think u should go for it , being a cardiologist in yr country will help u a lot for background stuff as nothing is a waste , GO FOR IT1 BEST OF LUCK!
Trifudis Forum Newbie
Topics: 1 Posts: 29
01/31/05 - 06:12 PM
#3
Hi,
I am in almost the same situation, since I graduated from Med School in 1991. I am still waiting for my score, so I can not recommend you to do what I did for my preparation yet, but there are plenty of people in this forum that have succeed in this exam, and among those are several IMG’s
One advice I can give you is to avoid relaying solely in your clinical experience, even if you are a cardiologist because medicine in the US is quite different to other countries and your basic knowledge can differ quite importantly from the concepts taught here. I am an Ortho surgeon back home and believe me, the first time I opened the books to study for this exam I had the feeling I never went through med school. So first I might say you get the books from Kaplan and if possible enroll in a video course or web prep course. This will give you a primer of what you need to know to pass this exam. Also get a book called First Aid, that people in this forum refers as FA. This is some kind of “condensed Bible” but do not get fooled by its size, it does contain around 70% of what the exam will ask you. After you study hard for lets say for 2 months, start practicing with multiple-choice questions. Don’t start doing questions in the beginning of your preparation because you can kill your self confidence, but once you feel familiar with the material, start doing questions from Qbank or Qbook (Both are recommendable) every day, always in blocks of at least 20 to 50 questions and always timed. Whatever you do, don’t study in your own language; you have to master the material in English (You will realize how important this is as you go through your preparation) Here is a link for Kaplan so that you can browse their options. http://www.kaptest.com/med_home.jhtml?source=kap_home
One last piece of advice is that you keep reading this forum quite often, because is full of “pearls” from people that have succeed.
Good luck.
rd4usmle Forum Newbie
Topics: 5 Posts: 22
01/31/05 - 06:34 PM
#4
Trifudis & akhan18!
Thank you so much for your time and your detailed advice. I wish you all the best on your scores!
Two more questions for you if you do not mind:
1. Do I need to read all the text books? I am planning to go to the library to borrow some.
2. Trifudis, how long did it take you to prepare for step 1?
Thank you again for your help!
Best regards!
Trifudis Forum Newbie
Topics: 1 Posts: 29
02/02/05 - 02:34 PM
#5
rd4,
Sorry for the late response,
I would say it is better to own your material so that you can take it wherever you go, but if you find what you need at the library, then I think is ok. Do not use too much material though. Stick to a few well-written ones like Kaplan and FA, and others that people recommend here. I would stay away from extensive books as Robbins or Harrison because you will be overwhelmed with information that you do not need for the exam anyways.
I took 3 months of Kaplan videos at the Kaplan center, and then studied for another 3 months at home before work. I wish I had more time to study, but I work full time and have a family. Let’s hope for the best.
Best regards
rd4usmle Forum Newbie
Topics: 5 Posts: 22
02/02/05 - 03:10 PM
#6
Thank you so much again Trifudis. This helps a lot!
I look forward to seeing your good news here soon. Best of luck!
I am doing some volunteer work at a clinic now, and I was hoping to get a Medical Assistant position there, but they just told me that I have to be certified; and I can not even take the exam to be certified unless I stay in one of the MA programs for 1-2 years…. I just got very disappointed….
What possibly can an IMG like us do to make living in the “United State of CERTIFICATION”?
zhw Forum Newbie
Topics: 0 Posts: 1
02/04/05 - 12:22 PM
#7
Hi Trifudis,
I am new to USMLE and have the same situation as you. I have some questions about the books you mentioned. The books from kaplan = kaplan USMLE step 1 review books...? I have seen a lots of them from ebay.
your help would be appreciated!
Trifudis Forum Newbie
Topics: 1 Posts: 29
02/10/05 - 07:21 PM
#8
rd4usmle
the “United State of CERTIFICATION”?
***LOL***
What worked for me was to send my Curriculum to all possible hospitals in my area (San Diego) After some frustrated interviews I got a call from a research Lab and got a position as a research intern. There is great need of labor in research and with your expertise in cardiology you might find something related to blood vessel research or something like that. Most hospitals have on line applications in the human resource section. Send 20 or 30 and hang in there, some one will call. Good luck friend.
zhw
Yes Ebay has lots of books from Kaplan and other courses at great prices, although I do not know if they are legal copies. Whatever you do, I would buy recent material (not older than 2003 perhaps) Also consider buying the Qbank or Qbook questions to test your knowledge and identify your weak and strong subjects.
Take care.
alessandra SR Forum Junior
Topics: 14 Posts: 26
02/14/05 - 05:30 AM
#9
Hello,
I am also new to this forum and with almost the same situation . I am an IMG , I graduated in 2001 , did Infectious Disease in my country (not English as first language) and I am studying for step 1 now . What is working for me is to study with Kaplan material that I got from ebay , some subjects I go into BRS books ( a lot of pictures , easy to understand ) and of course FA. What I do is first to read Kaplan ,after I finish a subject ,for ex - cardiovascular pathology , I go to FA to put the most important concepts in my mind . When you finish a subject try to do questions , it will give you an idea to see if you are studying correctly . I know the studying is hard with you have a family and a full time job , coming back to basic sciences is not easy , but when you feel discouraged , just imagine the victory !!! Can someone give me information about how to search for research positions ??? I wish all good luck!!!
rd4usmle Forum Newbie
Topics: 5 Posts: 22
02/14/05 - 03:38 PM
#10
Trifudis,
Thank you again for your response! All the best to you too!
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