Wyoming Sioux
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 9
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Although I'm not Canadian or American, I trained at and recently graduated from a Canadian medical school. Now I'm going to participate in the Scramble in March, but for personal reasons, will only be taking the USMLE Step 1 in April, and Step 2 shortly after.
My question to anyone who knows is this: will any psych program (my first choice of specialty) , even an unmatched one, consider an applicant who has not cleared Step 1 before the Scramble? Or is it likely that I'll have to wait till the next regular Match to get a spot?
I see no loss in trying anyway. But any thoughts/informed opinions would be appreciated!
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,066
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From a program view, it's hard to offer a position to someone who doesn't have test results in there hand (post match anyway). You might check the licensing requirements in the states that you are interested in to see what you need to work where you want to work. Like you said, it can't hurt to try.
Wyoming - one of my favorite states! Love the mountains - great camping there.....
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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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| Wyoming Sioux
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 9
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Thank you BBB, for your insight. I suspected as much, but I should probably try anyway. I keep in mind that unconventional arrangements may still be possible. In fact, I heard that one of my classmates (also a foreigner) matched through the Scramble and was allowed to complete her USMLE AFTER she was accepted. Of course, her cricumstances were somewhat more favorable, since she had previously done an elective at the site which offered her the spot. I have not done a U.S. elective, which can only lessen my chances of being considered.
The only factors I may have in my favor are (1) the fact that I graduated from med school in Canada, which is comparable to a U.S. school (i.e. has LCME accreditation), and (2)very good recommendation letters, all from psychiatrists and a research supervisor with whom I worked. But I now doubt whether they will suffice to make me a candidate for consideration. And yet, slim as my hope is, I will try nevertheless (I sense a recurring theme here. )
By the way, since I'm still new here, I want to clarify, if you don't mind: are you a program director? And what program are you affiliated with?
And if anyone has relevant experiences to share, I'm still open to opinions. Haven't given up hope yet. Maybe you could change that :P .
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,066
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Everyone has a chance in the scramble - being from an Canadian school means that you may still have to take the USMLE exams, but you don't have to be ECFMG certified, which would be a plus....
As long as you don't have to worry about a visa, then that's another step (I'll read between the lines and guess at First Nation?).
As much as my residents believe that I am THE program director, I am a residency program coordinator in a large urban hospital - with 16 years of experience (well, minus 6 months when I worked in another department) at three hospitals. Program? Ahhhhh, that my friend remains as secretive as I can keep it.
Good luck - bbb
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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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| Wyoming Sioux
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 9
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Just thought of one more question. Does a person in my situation (i.e. foreign national, but graduate of LCME-accredited Canadian med school) require ECFMG certification?
I ask because when I look through Iserson's guide (5th edition), pg.369, there's an indication that I don't. In fact, I bypass several requirements normally faced by IMGs (even IMGs who are U.S. citizens). These include ECFMG English test, and CSA exam. ECFMG certification is also not listed as a requirement.
Yet, through word-of-mouth, I heard that ECFMG certification is in fact necessary for people in my category. Does anyone know for sure?
Off-topic: Is there any way to edit messages that I've already posted? It looks like I have to add a new message, when it might be more appropriate to append an existing one.
@BBB: I would like to visit Wyoming some time. I've previously studied in the U.S. (undergrad) and have visited many of the states already. Also have family in California. But strangely, never set aside time for Wyoming. The state's name is my moniker because of its striking phonetic resemblance to my real (Chinese) name.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,066
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Well, heck I am way off!! Not NA!
I am not certain, but I think that you will still need ECFMG certification for a visa reasons - at least for a J-1 visa, you will need it. Check with the ECFMG web page for more information on that. I know as a Canadien graduate that you won't need it, but for visa - I don't know.
Good luck
P.S. I don't know about editing your posts if it doesn't give you the option of an edit button... :roll:
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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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| Wyoming Sioux
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 9
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"bbb" wrote:
As long as you don't have to worry about a visa, then that's another step (I'll read between the lines and guess at First Nation?).
I wish that were the case. I might as well be forthright. I'm Chinese by ethnicity, Malaysian by citizenship, but most of my education has been in the North American system. Even finished my undergrad at University of Virginia (UVa, Thomas Jefferson's pride and joy). But couldn't pursue medical school in the U.S. because of my citizenship.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,066
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Many Asians are pursuing Canadian medical schools aren't they? We interviewed more this year than we have in the past years.
Having done undergrad in the USA is a big help, because it shows familiarity with the culture (well, what we have for culture).
Good luck
b
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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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| sunilsagar
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 4
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my query to bbb is that if after all the effort an img is able to clear his usmle then what are the options for him if he wants to stay in the healthcare field.
apart from being eligible for research project or being automatically qualified for being a medical assistant (which i have heard ) what are the other options to sustain oneself.and is one really automatically certified to be a medical assistant and is it a good enough job.
i hope bbb , you wud find time from your busy schedule for replying to this one.we are assuming that i have a resident status.
thanks in anticipation.
sunilsagar
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| xyz
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 4
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Hi
I really need your help. How do I send my application to programs in the Post-Match? I have opened ERAS but have not completed the applicaton yet. I am a foreign medical graduate with an ECFMG certificate. How can I increase my chances of getting a position through the scramble. I would really appreciate your guidance. Thank you!
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| anatolyk
Forum Senior
Topics: 1
Posts: 49
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1. you have to complete your application
2. you have to apply to at least one program to activate ERAS document system.
3 you can use eras to apply to a max of 30 programs during scramble. If you want more, you got to fax and e-mail yourself.
To increase your chances try to send your application to as many unfilled programs as you can. And do it as fast as you can.
Good luck!
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| ididit
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 7
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Hi there,
Does anyone know how the programs during the scramble notify the applicant that they were accepted?? Do you have to interview by phone?? Just e-mail?? Just ERAS??
Good luck to all of us in the scramble
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