aajkal
Forum Elite
Topics: 42
Posts: 241
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this is what i learnt from my experiences. i may be wrong .
1. scores- they do matter but not the only component. i have low 90s and still matched at univ hospital in med on h1. step 3 should be done before sep if u need h1 to maximise chances.
2. visa status- most important. green card with 5 percentile behind u will be preferred until u show something extra.( in my case externship)
3. contacts- my reco letter writer called programs for me( not his but different- my choice). if u know someone in program he can get u an interview sometimes but not always. interview dosn't gurantee anything. u have to perform.
4. usce- very important. i applied at many places for observership and got sub internship. all places are mentioned on this web site. you can do that on b1 visa. don't take it as a requirement but work hard to impress and get a good lor.
please do not send pm for places of observership. i know only those given on this site. u can e mail pc's of all programs. e mail id is in freida and eras.
5. research about programs- very important. don't underestimate yourself but try to be above minimum requirements. some programs say 1 year usce but still call u for interview. I realised that later.
6. personal statement- i worked for 3 months over it. got reviewed by a lot of people. won't give it to anyone so don't ask for it. personal statement is about you.
7. continous work- even in your home country. no work dulls the mind. working keeps u in touch with patients and you are very confident in facing medical qs at interview.
8 most important- interview performance- be confident, smile a lot, be fluent, and don't beg. don't be arrogant( surprisingly there r many). if u think program is bad don't rank it but please do not say bad words even in your native language there. we r guests there and host should never feel bad. be prepared for medical qs . don't misbehave with anyone.
9. when some of my countrymen come to america they immediately want equality and keep looking for imaginary discrmination. i believe( i may be wrong) that in some foriegn country which is giving us some oppurtunity , we should respect them. we should not underestimate them and don't call them names becuz there people enjoy some advantages. superiorty complex should be left at home.
some people discuss about their best programs at interviews. i don't think this show off helps and even pd thinks that this guy is not interested in my program.
if a pc has asked for some documents what's the harm in carryingthem. not much of an additional weight.
lastly we have the bad habit of being jealous of our friends. this will not help. cooperation, sharing of information can be useful to all.
10. write good thank you letters and also to pc as she makes a lot of effort. send new year and christmas cards. be in touch with the program but don't annoy them.
11. be punctual. if u r late inform the pc beforehand. if u don't plan to go please cancel it.
12. pray and work hard. next match is starting soon. u need to start now.
good luck. i wrote what came in my mind. i may be wrong and too emotional at some places.
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| aajkal
Forum Elite
Topics: 42
Posts: 241
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when u enter the hospital for interview, till the time you leave, never talk in native language. talk in english.
even if u r the best don't keep asking for scores.
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| DrOrange
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 136
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Thx aajkal!!
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| oggn
Forum Elite
Topics: 52
Posts: 169
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Thanks for sharing the ideas.I did all the things,the only thing differs here is the scores.I have scores in 80s and have an attempt in step2.I think it ultimately affected my result,But I will keep trying till I match.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,716
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aajkal wrote:
when u enter the hospital for interview, till the time you leave, never talk in native language. talk in english.
This is so important. There is nothing wrong with a greeting in your native language, but then switch to English. Include other applicants - don't make it seem that you have to know "this" language to join the conversation. Nothing is more irritating than seeing candidates shutting out (however innocently) other candidates.
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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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| nisha
lil monkey
Topics: 146
Posts: 919
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13....have a back up for whatever u do, another specialty, another hospital, another country! The NRMP was my back-up match..and thankfully I matched at my number one university in my home country...but put equal effort into both matches...so whatever u do, have a back up!
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| nochoice
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 117
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thanks aajkal for the great advice. do most program directors ask medical questions?
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| aajkal
Forum Elite
Topics: 42
Posts: 241
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some do particularly community programs. mostly abt case managements. easy qs , don't worry.
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| spitmetal
Forum Guru
Topics: 25
Posts: 635
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nisha wrote:
13....have a back up for whatever u do, another specialty, another hospital, another country! The NRMP was my back-up match..and thankfully I matched at my number one university in my home country...but put equal effort into both matches...so whatever u do, have a back up!
where are you from nisha?
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NEVER REGRET IF U DID YOUR BEST--"THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DO SOMETHING WILL KEEP SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.....BUT REMEMBER YOU CAN DO IT!!" by Dr. Luck a member of this forum
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| amirhossein
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 859
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14. Letter of Recommendations
If you are doing some kind of research or attending a course, try to get a letter from someone important in there.
LoRs from another countries are also good but not comparable to US LoR, unless the letter writer is a big name and well known phyician in his/her specialty.
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| WhoIsThis
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
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Dear aajkal,
about No. 3 point you mentioned,
"3. contacts- my reco letter writer called programs for me"
Did your referee call the program before or after your interview? My question is your referee called the program to get an interview for you; or called the program after your interview to further impress the PD?
thank you very much.
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| belenmenucci
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14. LoR
does it mind if my LoRs are from private MDs? Are they enough? Or you think I should get one from a hospital MD?
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| Dr.Luck
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 225
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thanks aajkal for all the info...it'll be of great help ffor all of us.....May God bless you!
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| deeps99
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 15
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Congrats..aajkal, did u have any research experience/publications?
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 643
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when do u guys do observership??while in medschool??or after graduation??
so what r the hospitals offering observership??
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| taba
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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about LORs and courses approval certifecates if it is in my native language wat 2 do 2 get them accepted in the match
should i get them approved from the US embassy or somethin
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| zianab
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
Posts: 282
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They need to be translated in English.Call ECFMG and ask them who should translate and how should they be submitted.I think there are some specific persons in U.S who translate them.
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| taba
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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sorry bein idiot wat is ECMFG??????
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Thanks ajkal for a great post.
by the way ECFMG is Educational Comission for Foreign Medical Graduates who takes USMLE from foreign graduates like us. www.ecfmg.org
and its never stupid to ask ANY question.
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| hardworkpays
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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I think those are really helpful tips. I am also planning to ask my letterwriters to call some programs.
What do u think is the best time for them to call? one of my letter writer said he would call in late october, is that too late? should I ask him to call earlier? thanks!
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| erythromycin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 12
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"This is so important. There is nothing wrong with a greeting in your native language, but then switch to English. Include other applicants - don't make it seem that you have to know "this" language to join the conversation. Nothing is more irritating than seeing candidates shutting out (however innocently) other candidates."
how many candidates attend to 1 interview???
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,716
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erythromycin wrote:
"how many candidates attend to 1 interview???
Different programs different answers.
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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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| erythromycin
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 12
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but how many in the majority of cases? (more than 1 person?)
i have no idea...
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| caduceus
Forum Guru
Topics: 85
Posts: 511
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good tips..thanks
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