Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Hello fellow doctors I just wanted to make a thread for any latin american IMG so you can share your personal experiences with everyone here! I graduated in dec-06 already took step 1 and am studying for step 2 ck but have questions on visas, clinical experience etc...so please share your stories with your fellows anything from ways to get LORs or US clinical experience.......... anything! I know it will be easier if we all helped each other out...from people already in residency or people starting the process;
everyone WELCOME!
thanks
*keep on rockin in the free world*
PS: i am from El Salvador....UEES
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Anyone have advice on US clinical experience for example...how to get it or how long does it have to be??
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
Posts: 2,296
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just came to say hello
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As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Hellooo
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| benzenemd
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 11
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hi! i'm from guatemala and on monday, i'm taking step 1 i'm so freaking nervous about the exam. any advise about the exam or how should i relax??
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| dannyridelman
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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hi ejcv, benzenemd
i'm about to apply to postgraduate training in the us, after going to med school in guatemala. here's what i've learned in the process:
1. study hard for the steps. not because they're difficult but because you want something above 90 or 230 to compete with us grads. look in amazon for the best books. my favs are BRS, first aid. kaplan qbank is mandatory.
2. us clinical experience is highly valued. contact hospitals to get elective clerkships, or at least observerships. i did 2 one-month electives.
3. relax. everybody goes thru this. it is not impossible nor malicious. think about a situation where you succeded and how that made you feel (resucitating a pt, delivering a baby, doing surgery). taking the test is an acomplishment by itself. celebrate it with a bottle of champagne (or a six pack of cold, cold pilseners or gallos)
4. for LORs, simply ask for them after completion of clerkships. foreign letters are practically worthless. get them from US physicians and ideally from the specialty you want to pursue.
5. one step at a time. submerse yourself in information about your next step. don't worry about the visa or the match when you haven't even taken step 1. watch your timeline though.
6. buy iserson's getting into a residency
7. don't underestimate step 2 CS. it's not easy for most IMGs.
8. even if your scores aren't that good, specialties like medicine or peds are not very competitive and very IMG friendly.
9. try to embelish your application with research, volunteering, leading student comitees, etc.
good luck!
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Hello everybody!....Thanks for the advice danny!
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Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Thanks for the information danny it was very helpful! I'm planning on aplplying for Anesthesiology residency...some say it has become really competitive in the last few years? Anyone have insite on that? I'm still waiting for Step 1 scores and even are dreaming about failing the exam!!! Im going crazy! But hey nothing I can do about it now huh?!
Any advice on visas danny? Im thinking about applying for an H1??Dont know yet but think Im not going to make deadlines for this year and want to get some rotations into my curriculum...
thanks again
*Keep on rockin in the free world*
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Very true on the celebrating after the exams!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Just that I had a little bit more than a 6pack! Hehe plus a little bit of Finlandia...hehe...
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Dr.EJCV....hi....you wrote you are from El Salvador, are you in El Salvador rigth now?, or are you in the US?
So you have only done step 1 right?, when are you planning to take step 2 ck or cs?
Good luck
___________________
Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Hey yolanda yes im in El Salvador right now and are planning on taking the CK around october/november and CS early next year...hopefully also step 3 next year...where u from? take care
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Hi, I have the same plans for exams  but I haven't done step 1 yet 
I am from Mexico , got to run right now it is already 12:00 am, write more later...see ya.
Good luck!
___________________
Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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What part of mexico are you from? Planning on taking any courses for the exams? Good luck on Step1 cause its tough!!
Any advice on visas...etc? Anyone?
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| Ivonne
Going for step 3/99
Topics: 50
Posts: 1,397
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Hello people, one more here..
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If you beleive you can do it then you WILL DO IT!! (by Mymeghhi)
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| Dr.EJCV
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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Hellooo! Hope everyone did well in the exams! Im still waiting for the results! does anyone know what the deal is with the supposed letter you need to get in order to get into a residency in california???? thanks
ed
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| Principito
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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Hello everyone!!! How great is to find people from central america. I am from Nicaragua. I got my medical degree in August 2006, took Step 1 in December (In Guatemala by the way) and CS in April (Los Angeles). Now I´m studying for CK, which I´ll be taking on September 8th in Guatemala. I want to apply for OB/GYN in next year´s match.
About the Calfornia Letter Dr. EJCV, basically you have to pay U$600 and send your credentials (diploma copy, school transcript, clinical rotations, etc) signed by your dean´s office to the California Medical board, in order to apply for a residency in that State. Í don´t know if you´ve heard anything about Calfornia, but they say it´s one of the harderst states to get a residency. It´s very difficult even for american graduates, imagine how it is for us.
Succes to everyone!
Attached Files:
principito.bmp (144 KB, 5 downloads)
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
Posts: 2,296
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oye ese book is from nicolas de maquiavelo el principe?
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As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| Principito
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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No Gogeta, it is from Antoine de Saint Exupery. One of my favorites, i highly recomend it...
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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hi guys, the ptal or california medical board letter is actually about $1300 dlls the total cost not $600 dlls, they also ask you for more money for fingerprints and stuff like that.
You can read more in the california medical board web page.
There are not many IMG friendly hospitals in CA and yes it is very competitive.
Good luck!
___________________
Recognize that you have the courage within you to fulfill the purpose of your birth. Summon forth the power of your inner courage and live the life of your dreams - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 914
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Im from Ecuador, good luck in the match....
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Ultraseven X
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
Posts: 2,296
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Hey I found out that actually the number # of IMG getting in are higher.
In % its almost the same but its because there are more applicants.
So that its something good to know, also if you speak spanish is a plus in so many community hospitals
___________________
As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| benzenemd
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 11
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hey everybody, just wanted you to know that I PASSED the step 1 exam. now im getting ready for my step 2. good luck to everyone that getting ready for the step 2 ck or cs.
P.S. it is always good to know where people from your own country or same school reside, this might help you look for programs.
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| qjata
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 23
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First of all i'll introduce myself. I'm from panama, graduated september 2006. Since obviously all of you have more experience in the steps than me. Heres my dilema. I'm doing my internship in my home country finishing my first year, and going to start my second year in November. So ill probably be finishing my 2nd year on november 2008. Planning to match in 2010, so i was planning to take first step 2 since im doing clinical rotations. Does this influence my overall on step 2 the fact that im doing it first then step 1? Is there any relation that i get a better score doing step 1 first?? cause ive read on other forums that you could enhance your overall scoring for step doing step 1 first.
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| Principito
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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I think it´s always better to do step 1 first because it gives you a strong base of principles that you will be needing later for step 2, besides step 1 is really more difficult than 2...Don´t you like to do the hardest things first and leave the esay part at last? I have a question, Does intership in Panama last more than 1 year? Cause you say your beginig 2nd year in november
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| qjata
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 23
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Thanks principito i'll have that in mind.
Yes it does. It's 2 years. The first one is mandatory in an urban 3rd category hospital. The second year would be in an rural hospital.
Yeah it's true about leaving the easies for last, i think the same way..........
I want to match into General Surgery. Since i graduated last year and probably going to match in 2010 its like 3 years of postgraduate, how does this influence getting into a program????
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