amkhan
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 58
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Hello everyone,
I applied for the match this year with good step scores (95/92) but i was applying for the H-1 visa. I also did not have any externship or research experience in the U.S. As a result, out of the 65 places tha I applied for Internal medicine, I got only 3 interview calls, and that too from not too good programs.
I also applied to 10 family practice programs and got 3 calls. Now I am seriously considering changing my plans.
Everyone is telling me to just get into the system whether internal medicine or family practice, and I can apply for the match next year and switch. But a few days ago someone told me that if I change from an internal medicine program to another internal medicine program next year being on an H-1 visa, it's going to be very difficult. I can change from one specialty to the other but not in the same specialty, and this is true for those on H-1 visas only.
Can someone tell me if they have heard the same thing and if not, how can I find out about the facts? Also, I wanted to know if someone has ever heard of people doing that, personally I think that it's going to be impossible even if things pan out the way I want.
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| silenced, M.D.
Forum Guru
Topics: 73
Posts: 620
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Did you do any observership? Do you have any US LORs? When did you apply? Maybe your problem is that you applied late. Also, did you make sure that the programs you applied to sponsor H1b?
Edited by silenced, M.D. on 01/22/07 - 12:31 PM
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"Sólo los débiles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonríe". ~ José Martí "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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| amkhan
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 58
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I don't have any USCE. i had two lors from my home country and two from what I got while doing electives in toronto. i applied in september. I applied only to those programs which sponsor H-1b visa.
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| minang
Forum Senior
Topics: 3
Posts: 229
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Did you already take your Step 3? H1 requires you to pass the Step 3. No step 3 = no H1 visa.
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| silenced, M.D.
Forum Guru
Topics: 73
Posts: 620
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minang wrote:
Did you already take your Step 3? H1 requires you to pass the Step 3. No step 3 = no H1 visa.
minang is right. If you marked only H1b Visa, programs would like to see your Step 3 scores.
___________________
"Sólo los débiles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonríe". ~ José Martí "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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| amkhan
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 58
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yeah, got my result today, i passed it.
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| silenced, M.D.
Forum Guru
Topics: 73
Posts: 620
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Since you only requestied for H1b, it was better to have the result in your hands at the moment you applied.
___________________
"Sólo los débiles se enojan. El hombre fuerte, aun al caer, sonríe". ~ José Martí "...it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done". ~ Rocky Balboa
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| amkhan
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 58
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thanks to all of you who have responded, but i'm still kinda waiting for someone to answer the question that i asked. i wanted to know if switching from an internal medicine to an internal medicine program was possible on an H-1 visa.......
and what are the problems that one faces if one does decide to switch from internal medicine to a family medicine or vice versa?
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| minang
Forum Senior
Topics: 3
Posts: 229
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May be this is the wrong forum for asking such "legal" question. You should post your question here: http://www.immigrationportal.com/forumdisplay.php... 
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,736
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amkhan wrote:
1. i wanted to know if switching from an internal medicine to an internal medicine program was possible on an H-1 visa.......
2. and what are the problems that one faces if one does decide to switch from internal medicine to a family medicine or vice versa?
I numbered your questions so it was clear which I was answering.
1. You need to make certainif you are in a cap-exempt program, and want to transfer that you transfer to a cap-exempt program. That could be problematic. And you have to interview during your first year of residency - which could be difficult if you are on an inpatient service. And some programs might want a letter from your current PD prior to interviews. And a valid reason for changing programs. Lots to think about......
2. Basically the same answers, but you will really need to justify the change and you may be asked to repeat your first year if you didn't have enough IM during your family medicine year. Which could put you in a bind if you are looking for a fellowship - you may not have enough years on an H1b visa (limited to 6 years) to finish your training.
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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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