msp
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 44
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Hi Doctors,
I finished Step 1 and Step 2 CS and am scheduled to take Step 2 CK in the last week of August. I want to make it to residency in 2007 and had a few questions regarding the same.
- When do I need to start applying to get residency in 2007? Many hospitals have an application last date in the later part of the year and I was not sure whether to start applying now or after I get my Step 2 CK results. How does pre-match work? Do I need to apply to different hospitals to get a pre-match? If so, when do I need to start applying for the pre-match? Any resources/pointers that you guys came across that help the application process? How many universities/hospitals should I be applying for?
My results are 94 in Step 1, Pass in Step 2 CS (both first attempt). I graduated from India in 2003.
Thanks a lot in advance
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| skdoc
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 334
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Hi msp,
U can apply in early sept and have your Step 2CK scores transmitted automatically.
Prematch is something the program directors will decide when they interview u.If they like u after the interview they may offer u to join them and opt out of the match.U cannot apply to prematch separately
How many programs to apply for is entirely your choice.Depends on which speciality u want and also ur visa status.
Good Luck
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| msp
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 44
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Hi skdoc,
Thanks a lot for the reply. Is it okay to apply in early september for the 2007 match or do people start applying earlier itself (i.e. from now itself)? In other words, is there a timeframe when the Program Directors conduct the interviews?
I met a friend a couple days ago and she scared me by saying that she knew someone who got pre-matched for 2007. I dont know if she was telling the truth or was just scaring me. Is it possible that someone already got pre-matched so early in the game? When do people generally apply for the 2007 match? Is it from from now or in September?
Thanks again for your reply. I really appreciate it.
msp
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| chemamr
Forum Hero
Topics: 703
Posts: 4,486
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you can apply until september 1st or 2nd to the programs.
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| skdoc
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 334
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Hi msp,
ERAS transmits application to programs only after Sept 1st.So u can take ERAS token in ur oasis/ecfmg account and fill ur common application form,send all documents.Only after sept 1st u can apply .About prematch it is not possible to get prematch for 2007 already because the interviews start only around october. Maybe she intended to say 2006 prematch.anyway interviews are mostly conducted around october,november and december.
Hope this helps u
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,222
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Programs can start downloading on September 1. September 1 is a Friday on a three day weekend in the USA (Labour Day), so programs maynot start downloading until Tuesday, September 4th.
DON'T PANIC!!!!!
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| msp
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 44
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Thanks a lot skdoc and bbb. I havent requested my ERAS token yet and so will do that immediately. This whole application process is a lot more complicated than I originally thought it would be. Your timely information will eventually prove invaluable to me.
With regards to the application, I do not have any US clinical experience and hence no US LOR's. All my LOR's are from my medical college in India. I am planning to look for an observership and get an US LOR after my step 2 CK which is in the last week of August.
Is it okay to apply through ERAS using my Indian LOR's? Will I stand any chance of getting into a residency without USCE and US LOR's? I also do not have any publications. I am not sure if there will be other doctors in the same condition that I am in and this is freaking me out.
Thanks again.
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| skdoc
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 334
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msp,
Every year many applicants fill in with no USCE and US letters.It is not impossible.However having USCE is very advantageous.So if possible try and get an observership so that u can get experience as well as US LORs.U can definitely apply with LORs from India .I did the same last year.But honestly they carry very little weightage.
Good luck with Step2 CK.
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| msp
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 44
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Thanks again skdoc for your timely reply.
I have to submit my application through ERAS by Sep 1st. However, I'll only be able to do an observership after Sep 1st and hopefully get a US LOR by end of October. So basically, I have to now apply through ERAS using my india LOR's.
So, is there any use of doing an observership in September? Can I use the LOR that I might be able to get in November?
Thanks again,
msp
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| adeelmd
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 402
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what is the big deal about sept 1st?? The people that applied on sept 1st spent the next two months waiting because "applications are being reviewed". No program is going to fill all it's spots with just the people that applied in september or october even.... programs do hold out for the better applicant. So don't make it a bigger deal than it is.
My best advice would be to apply by the 1st or 2nd week of september... Since you are in a hurry, ask your attending or whomever you are working with to get you an lor before the rotation is over so that you can get in the match (probably ask at the end of two weeks so they know you closely. ) That way you have a letter on hand by the third week of september! Just make sure to plan your observership so that you work closely with one attending; so that they get to know you; otherwise the letter wont be good. and try to get the word "rotation" instead of "observership" in the letter.
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| msp
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 44
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Hi adeelmd,
Thanks a lot for the reply. So basically the universities will be downloading the applications from ERAS all through October so applying in the 2nd or 3rd week of Sep wont necessarily screw my chances of getting into a residency next year. Getting the US LOR (if possible) and applying a little later is a more fruitful option. Right?
Thanks again,
msp
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| adeelmd
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 402
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not more fruitful... but I don't think it makes much difference. Just make sure you apply to most of your programs by october 1st....
It's just that EVERYONE says it's important to apply sept 1, but in my experience... it didn't matter at all (i applied on october 15...)
___________________
where i lay my head is home.
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| drk1980
Forum Guru
Topics: 147
Posts: 1,038
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Ur words are encouraging to late-applicants, Adeelmd.
But if i rmber correctly, ur a citizen...so tht might hv made a small diff?
Wud appreciate ur opinion on anthr thing...applying oct with only step1 & 2CK....for IM and needing visa. Most of the advice i hv got from ex-matchers has been to save my applicn till next year. Hoping to read ur opinion too.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,222
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My program doesn't even start reviewing applications until the beginning of October. The advice for October 1st is pretty sound. We sent out interview invitations about 1 month before our interviews begin. It's going to be the most frustrating portion of this game - the wait.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| LifeInTheFastLane
Forum Elite
Topics: 33
Posts: 444
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So final word...is applying by September end or October beginning still as good a s the quoted golden date of 1st september?
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The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time....
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,222
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I will say again, and continue to say - apply as early as you can. If I say that October 1 is okay, the next person will ask about October 10 - is that okay. I know persons who applied in November and received interviews.
Apply as early and as completely as you can.
Good luck
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| LifeInTheFastLane
Forum Elite
Topics: 33
Posts: 444
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Wokay bbb, point taken your honor!
Btw...how do programs go about downloading applications from ERAS? I mean, is it like they download in batches or something - like first the ones that were submitted upto sept15th, then sept 15th to oct 1st..etc.?
Just curious...thanks!
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,222
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Just saw your note Garfield - we click a button on our ERAS screen that connects us to ERAS. Everything that is assigned to my program comes through the magic of computers and electronics and shows up on my screen. Downloads can take minutes to hours. I don't know how ERAS assigns it or sends it, I don't need to know that. I do a download, I get applications.
Hope this helps.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| LifeInTheFastLane
Forum Elite
Topics: 33
Posts: 444
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Thanks bbb...when ever have your answers not helped? :-).
So how often do you hit "download"? Kind of every day/week/every fortnight?
Wonder how ya get thru all these questions .......day after day, but I wouldn't want it any other way..man, you are like the google.com of residency issues and questions!
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The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time....
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| loser
Forum Guru
Topics: 34
Posts: 341
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hi
can anyone please tell me by wen do v need to send documents to eras
and what is mspe -medical school performance evaluation form
i am an img
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