hypomanic
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 153
|
Hi there,
Thought it might be useful to list a few of the things that I felt I had learnt after the interview season about applying to IM programs
Disclaimer: A lot of stuff is already is in the posts in the forum- I just wanted to highlight the points that I failed to realise which I felt might be of use to others applying in the following years-
1. The basics- Scores matter to get IV calls- do your best to ace the exams
2. USCE matters a great deal -like someone said- USCE is like Step4 for IMGs - you need to have it to convince a lot of good programs to take you seriously- Even average scores can get you interviews if you have USCE and are a fresh graduate
3. that said getting USCE is difficult and expensive BUT the whole MATCH process is expensive- the whole process including the steps and applications costs 5000$ not including stay/travel to the US- so think seriously about this before making half-hearted attempts- IMHO if you are serious enough to spend 5k, spend an additional 1k to get USCE- The best option which I saw some very smart grads doing is applying for electives in the US- Some Uni programs offer electives for IMGs who have given step1 but the same programs will not offer USCE after graduation- Eg I saw an IMG with 20+ university interviews as he had done an elective in Mayo! I heard even Yale and Harvard offer electives but are pricey at 2K+ stay in Boston.
But then it looks great on your CV and can get you great Interview calls if you get good LoRS
Some grads do the electives at the time of internship in india (house surgeon) as you have technicaly not still got your degree and are eligible to apply for electives and you can always delay the start of your internship
On the other hand if you think that its too expensive (like I did), you might end up spending 5K on the MATCH and not getting a position without USCE! Not a great way to save money!
4. It goes without saying that you need reco letters from your USCE-
5. Try to contact your seniors if any in the US to get more info before applying to programs and to find out the program requirements
6. Try to think of 5 year plans for the interviews, so that you look like you know why you are applying to this program, why Int medicine, if you have fellowship interests- think about these before the interviews and not during the interviews
Others are welcome to add suggestions
Edited by hypomanic on 02/11/08 - 01:51 PM
___________________
Life is short, the Art long,opportunity fleeting experience treacherous, Judgement difficult - Hippocrates
|
| medicus_81
Forum Elite
Topics: 12
Posts: 428
|
This is a good thread!
I would add that if you are aiming for a prematch- schedule your interviews before mid January(best would be Nov &Dec I guess) since most programs stop offering them afterwards.
Be prepared for the IV's but act naturally. Be confident but also humble at the same time. Train your English if you can!!! Speaking fluently is going to win you points big time!
If I think of something else I will come back to write it.
___________________
If you judge people you have no time to love them
|
| kykie
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 219
|
Well donr Hypomaniac, you couldnt have said it better. I hope every1 who is yet to apply reads and places a great deal of importance on what u have said
___________________
Believe in yourself
|
| prueba
Forum Guru
Topics: 56
Posts: 695
|
Excellent idea hypomanic....
Here are some more ideas:
- I would add to hypomanic's recommendations of USCE: try to get the STRONGEST letters of recommendation you can get (hard work, as usual, arrive first and leave last, study study, etc...). get as many USLors as you can..
- work on your contacts, and start new ones!
- try to not leave any gaps in your resume, after passing your steps get involved or continue (if already) in something medical, and after applying too!! you'll have more things to talk about with your interviewers.
- if you have a field you love, start working on it, and just on it, and as you become an expert or (already are) others will admire your talent and will love to help you (strong letters, calls, etc)... at interviews you'll be able to show your serious commitment to this field too...
- look for requirements before applying, don't waiste too much money on programs out of your reach.
- Once you get an interview try to schedule it early, you'll get your preferred choices... and get in contact with PCs (phone or email)...they don't bite..
- look for common questions and prepare for them, there's a post by NNL HERE with common questions
- do your homework and prepare some questions to ask your interviewers....by far the most common question is "Do you have any questions?"
-although uncommon, prepare also a brief (2-5 min) case presentation in your mind, in case you get asked "can you tell me something about a patient you saw on this rotation?" or a variation of that...
- write immediately your thank you notes, and show them you are keeping your interest in the programs before the ROL submission
- cancel if possible the rest of interviews after accepting a prematch, there are others who might need a chance
- if offered a prematch, and you are not interested at that moment don't just decline it, ask for more time to think.. . you want to keep them interested in you...
- if interested in a prematch schedule them earlier as medicus_81 suggested
- keep always being positive, and confident, don't show desperation, PDs can smell it...
- if you have a top choice, tell them they are
- learn a bit of american culture and about the US health system, and of course about your country too!! specially about some politics, tourism, and health system in your country and region.... BASIC: confidence, and personality are very important in the US, work on them if needed...
- if you get a "good amount" of interviews schedule the "easier" or less preferred first, to gain more experience for the interviews at your top choices.
- if possible, avoid speaking in your own language with other candidates, unless you get interviewed in it of course!...
- never speak badly of other programs or PDs at your interviews
Edited by prueba on 02/10/08 - 05:33 PM
|
| Jingimg
Forum Senior
Topics: 15
Posts: 97
|
thank you for all your suggestion.
|
| medicus_81
Forum Elite
Topics: 12
Posts: 428
|
prueba,
I have to compliment you again on a job well done: that is a great compilation of advices!
I forgot to mention that applying early is also important- so I will quote the famous bbb saying: apply as early as you can with an as complete application as you can!
In my case: I received all my invitations in September and October, afterwards only rejections came along...
___________________
If you judge people you have no time to love them
|
| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
|
Thank you very much!!!
This is a great, great post for us, the beginners.
Best of luck to you all.
|
| prueba
Forum Guru
Topics: 56
Posts: 695
|
oh thanks medicus, and agree completely with you, it is VERY important to apply as early as possible...
|
| hypomanic
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 153
|
prueba wrote:
Here are some more ideas:
- try to not leave any gaps in your resume, after passing your steps get involved or continue (if already) in something medical, and after applying too!! you'll have more things to talk about with your interviewers.
- do your homework and prepare some questions to ask your interviewers....by far the most common question is "Do you have any questions?"
Prueba did a great job of covering a lot of points- Great work Prueba!
I want to emphasize especially on these 2 points- Programs will not be impressed with good scores if you have long gaps in your resume-unless of course you have good reasons.
Especially for us IMGs- it is not a good idea to sit and study for the MLE for 2-3 years- try to do some other work at least part time- the first choice should be something clinical -
Think long term when choosing a job that might pay well but in which you have no interest- It is great if you can make your CV look as if you had a clear vision after completing med school about what you wanted to do
Note: Personally I hate to give such advice as I took my time to figure out what I wanted but I realized such freedom comes at a price- If you are unsure about what you want, talk to people who are working in specialities of your interest, read impressions/advice from the forum,
Only if you spend some time on it (if you are like me), will you be able to come up with a career plan
The seniors in this forum have helped me get great advice all along and I encourage all those who have benefited also to contribute and not only be silent readers
It is possible to ignore all this advice and still match-For me, it is a bit sad to see talented IMGs ending up at bad programs just because of small things like applying late or not having good LoRS/contacts
Unlike exams in our home countries, in the US the whole application counts and not just good scores
___________________
Life is short, the Art long,opportunity fleeting experience treacherous, Judgement difficult - Hippocrates
|
| Rashidy
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 16
|
1-I definitely agree with the idea if you are planning for prematch then aim it before mid january, I think this is great advice.
2-Life is not fair and there is contraversial opinion between going one year matched in a program that you can tolerate since it is only 3 years or gambling for another year? I don't know how much your resume is going to improve in one year since even getting observership where you just observing is not easy
3-As people said into another link, there are 100-150 application for one position and ranking of 10-20 for every position, It is getting more competitive , I wonder about more presigious programs?
4-That was a great thread , since I had been asked two questions consistently
a-why did you choose this program?
b-do you have any questions for me ?
I would appreciate some bright answers...
___________________
The difference between intelligence and Stupidity is that Intelligence has its limits.
|
| babydoc4usmle
Forum Guru
Topics: 18
Posts: 634
|
it is a great topic indeed, and i also would like to put my 2 cents down
it is very true that scores do matter, but please, do not underestimate your personal statement.
when people see your application they do read your personal statement, they do want to see what kind of person you are...
many argue that PS is being read only after your application was already selected... i have to say, that i had comments made by people who interviewed me that PS was first that got their attention...
work on every detail of the application process like it is the only detail that matters, but do not forget that the whole package altogether that really makes a difference and there is no "template" for a "sure thing"
|
| lakshya_0_7
Forum Elite
Topics: 23
Posts: 280
|
excellent thread..something i was looking for.....
i m planning for the 2009 match...
i will graduate (complete internship here in india) by 28 august 2008....i have cleared step-2 with a good score...taking step-1 in may2008 n CS in july2008....so by sept 1 2008 i will have all the 3 scores..
i have the option of going for clerkships but if i break my internship here n go for electives , i wont get my degree/credentials verified in time...(m i right?)coz it takes 2-3 months after i get my degree ,which might be delayed if i break my internship here n go for electives...n the last date for credentials verification is 31 dec...so cant take the risk..
wont the PDs consider the fact that i graduated just 2-3 days before applying on 1 sept n had no time for USCE...?
would projects/studies in my home country enhance my CV?does working with NGO help?does participating in WHO/UNICEF programmes help?what can i do to enhance my CV?
|
| angel^Doctor
Forum Elite
Topics: 31
Posts: 442
|
 geat thread ! thumb up
___________________
The more I know, the more I don't know!
|
| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
|
Great thread. My little tidbit.
Cant emphasize enough the importance of USCE ! Your scores get you interviews, no doubt......but once you reach your interview, your scores are pointless. The only thing that separates you from all the other candidates duriing your IV is your experiences.
I had average scores, but what made my resume stand out was the fact that I had no gaps. I was always active, whether it was something like a pharmacy technician, or more in tune with the medical profession like a medical assistant. A lot of PDs are more interested in what you've accomplished in the US post graduation. If you're a fresh grad with no clinical experience in your home country, show the progrms that you are pro-active. Go out there and grab a position.....any position.......that shows you are happy to be a doc. Keep that in mind, and regardless of your score.........you will get great reviews during your interviews.
|
| ShweHope99.9998
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 12
Posts: 2,507
|
Thnx , very good points though most r already scatter around , I rather have all in one place under one topic .
Thanx everyone , pl keep coming more .
Hope we can bump this up or the moderator can pin this so , so can get benefits for future generation
GL 
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
