Isther
Forum Guru
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Hello:
First, congratulations to all that recently matched... I read that you passed a long and hard journey so you deserve it.
I like to know about my chances to match in 2007, and if there is anything I can do to improve the opportinities. I grad in 2003, passed step 1 with 97 and will make cs/ck in may. Have 1 LOR from an anesthesiologist, and 1 from my actual boss (non US). Have over 10 publications in peer review journals. No US experience, but probably an observership on august.
So what do you think?  Should go for it?
Thank U guys!!
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| CSobsessed
Forum Senior
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Isther, I am sure you will do well. I know very, very few people who managed to screw up Step 2 with good Step1 score, so if you study you will succeed with Step2. 85% FMGs pass cs, so your chances on your side there too, just take this exam seriously and be prepared. Now, you meantioned only 2 LORs. You MUST have three or your application will be incomplete. Review the non-US LOR and compare it to the samples as somebody suggested on this forum. Make sure that the LOR is more of an American standard. If it is not-- kindly ask your boss to rewrite LOR for you. 4 years after graduation... be prepared to explain gap. That is not too bad gap ( compare to my 13, for example), but if you can find some place for externship/obsevership-- it will not hurt your chances for sure;0)
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 745
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Thanks CSobsessed!
your words are quite usefull. By the way, do you think that a LOR from a IMG at PGY1 will be usefull at all?
Take care...
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| CSobsessed
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"...do you think that a LOR from a IMG at PGY1 will be usefull at all? "
Well, actually I was told a story that one gal did exactly that;0) It can help with the number of letters, so your application gets a chance to be looked at. But I seriously doubt that such letter would be valuable as a recommendation letter. The bottom line is-- try to get LOR from a certified American MD ( an osevership can make it happen) . If nothing works-- as a last chance-- get that LOR from PGY-1.
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| doc_droc_apurva
Moderator
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that lor from pgy1 can backfire. his knowledge level is not sufficiently good enuf to judge urs. i wud take letters from med school and use them. they sometimes even disregard american md letters if theyre not affiliated with a teaching hospital or if they arent well known in the field. something is always better than nothing but lor from a pgy1 is more akin to the latter. a letter from a chief resident at a big uni program just might count..
apurva
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
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Thanks guys...
The fact is that it looks pretty hard to obtain a LOR in the time I have left, but anyway will do my best. And as for LOR-PGY1, can leave it as a plan B right? Only was wondering if it could be taken as some sort of joke or something bad by the program director...
Thanks again and All the best...
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| sharvil
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Dont post any LOR from a Resident. That is ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED. It will only create a very very negative impression. For the LORs its always better to have very strong ones. I just submitted 3 LORs from my home country from professors who know my clinical work very well, so they told me that they were going to give me outstanding letters. I matched into categorical surgery without any single USLOR. so as far as LORs go the stronger the better. Submit a strong home country lor rather than a very weak US LOR.
all the best.
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| doc_droc_apurva
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wow - if sharvil feels the same way too then i wud suggest follow the advice m8
apurva
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| CSobsessed
Forum Senior
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The point I was trying to make was: the applicant must have all three letters of recommendaion required or his/her application would not be considered. How do I know that? I was not given interviews untill I sent all three letters. Of cause, the strong recent LOR from homeland would work much better than US weak one. I just wonder, what one should do if he/she can not produce three letters? It depends who that PGy-1 is: the roommate, simply the country fellow who feels sorry for you( general you), or somebody you worked with in your country ( remember, we still are doctors in our own countries). When I was doing my externship I was lucky to have attendings who was " normal" enough to find time a respect for me to write LORs. Some people were not that lucky: all they got was 1 month long promise and no actual letter. And you, guys, would suggest them just to go away like all those three months were for nothing?!!! I had a back up plan that a chief resident I WORKED with during those month would right a LOR for me if I need it because I knew that such plan worked at least for one person. Luckily, I did not need such letter. I still think that a weak chance is better than no chance.
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 745
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Sharvil, Apurva:
WOW!!! Congratulations Sharvil, the fact that my letters wont necessarily have to be US is GOOD NEWS! Actually my boss has honorary possitions at american societies and is very well conected, but more than that he knows my performace for the last 5 years... so that will help a lot.
CSObsessed:
Your idea is quite good too, my friend is at Mayo Clinic (#2 best US hospital according to usnews), but the thing is that we worked together in the same department for 3 years and accomplished a few publications together. Is not the best I can get, but as U said... Let's hope I won't need his LOR.
Thanks guys!!!
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