cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
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Clueless Cartman here again......Would really appreciate if someone would be so kind as to answer a few questions for me.
1) I cleared Step 2 CK 1 year ago and just cleared Step 1. Getting ready for Step 2 CS and am planning on giving it in the next few months. Will I be eligible to apply for the 2009 match on ERAS in July if my CS results are pending.
2) I collected LORs during my internship and electives in my home country from the attending physicians, most of whom were MDs. Will I be able to use these LORs or are they useless?
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| carmen77
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Posts: 91
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1.Yes you will, but usually you will get iv invitations when you have the ecfmg certificate. Is a requirment of most of the programs.
2. You can use old LOR's, but with every season new LOR's are preffered. for this year would mean 2008 signed. Is up to you.
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
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1.- I will disagree with Carmen on this one. I got most of my IV's (10) w/o the ECFMG certificate since I was certified until middle November... only got 2 more IV's after certification (and I strongly believe that the certificate had nothing to do with those) , what I have learned is that as long as you have all your exams ready and a complete application you will get IV's w/o certification... even from big programs.
Needing the ECFMG certificate to get IV's and start the application process is a myth that I would like to discourage because I also believed it a year ago. I even thought for a while on waiting for my certificate and applying late eventhough I had all my exams ready... thank God I did not listened to that and went ahead and applied on september one w/o my certificate!! If I had not done this I would've applied super late (middle november) and my IV's would have been super scant by then!! or none!!
I'm a living proof that this is a complete myth.... to all those having to make this decision.... GO AHEAD AND APPLY W/O ECFMG CERTIFICATE!! as long as you get it before February end you will be on great shape! (EXCEPTION: Iv's on Texas require you to have a valid ECFMG certificate for your IV so you would have to have it by then).
You can even get IV's w/o one exam but that is less likely since we are IMG's. Try to get your cs ready ASAP since it takes a long time to get your results (up to 3 months)... it is an easy exam don't wait too much!! go for it... one month of study is more..... far more than enough.
2.- I will not recommend using old LOR's especially if they are more than one year old. Also remember that LOR's should start with "Dear program director" instead of to whom it may concern, and should say that they are recommending you for a position at their program, and to make it even better if you are applying for a single especialty it should say that they recommend you for let's say: IM program.... or that you have good qualities for IM like..... you see my point? I would strongly strongly recommend to get new LOR's, if they include your AAMC ID no. far better (but not necessary)... I also was in your shoes last year, I had my letters but they were one year old and not appropriate so I made a specific trip to ask for new LOR's... so worthed! also try to get US LOR's because letters from homecountry are like having no LOR's, unless the LOR writter is a famous doc.... it's sad but true....all my LOR's were from US docs, although I had a lot of people in Mexico I could ask an LOR from... but really they would not care for those even if they had say that I'm the reencarnation of Sir William Osler!!
Get your letters in July so that they are ready at ERAS in August.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Edited by GLO MD on 03/29/08 - 11:21 AM
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| cartman
Forum Senior
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Posts: 135
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thanks GLO MD and carmen77 for your replies. The only available slots for CS right now are in mid to late August and onwards. Can I still apply for the 09 match if I take my CS then? I'm waiting for my books to arrive via Amazon.com and then planning on registering. Maybe I should just go ahead and register and take a date. What do you think?
I have really really average scores. Just on the margin. But I am a citizen IMG if that makes any difference.
I could possibly get two US LORs from my current and previous US employers, but I've been working as a Medical Assistant for the last few years. Can they still recommend me for a residency? Also wanted to know if I can ask Physician Assistants / Nurse Practioners that I worked with for LORs. Any good???
Edited by cartman on 03/29/08 - 04:00 PM
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| anzar
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yes you can apply without CS results but Youll get most interviews only after Cs pass.well any experience in US is helpful.Try to do some Observerships/externships. US citizenship will help for sure.apply wisely to programs I mean you should met there Criterias
Good luck
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
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1.- Yes you can apply w/o cs but w/ average scores as you said it might be a little more difficult for you to get Iv's, your best shot is to have all your scores but I would recommend to apply w/o cs score unless you get it on early october to the latest and you want to wait to apply w/ full scores.
2- Schedule NOW!!! Don't wait... dates fill out like crazy!! schedule NOWWWWWW!!
3.- Being a US citizen helps a lot. a lot!... but..... will help you get an IV over candidates with equal scores... might not help you win over a visa-needing IMG w/ excelent scores or incredible cv (and lately there are a lot of those out there... it's scary!!  )
4.- Working as a medical assistant is good, they can say that you are reliable, hardworking and responsible so yes they can write an LOR.... not as strong as a letter from a clinical rotation LOR, but good. PA and NP's could write an LOR but I'm not sure it would help a lot.... as anzar said I would try to get some USCE during this remaining months.... remember you are trying to increase your chances of matching to the maximum... not only trying to fill out a requirement!! the purpose of the LOR's is to help you get IV's, try to think what would help you the most!
5.-As anzar rightfully said... apply wisely!!! research programs.... being a US citizen helps but it does not assure you a spot....there are a lot of 99ers out there and even if they need a visa programs might feel attracted to them, so having very average scores might hurt you.... my advice: get USCE pronto!! and pump your CV!!
Best of lucks! apply wisely!
___________________
Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| treblechar
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 92
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even if the latest available date for S2CS is november or december just schedule it. and then wait for a vacancy (which means long hours infront of the computer waiting for a spot to open). I had mine scheduled for july but then was able to resched (after 2 days of constantly monitoring my comp) on april. so sched now.
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| cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 135
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Thanks everyone who took the time to reply. You have no idea how much I appeciate your advice.
One more question. When should I request a token?
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| treblechar
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 92
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once it is made available by oasis FOR the 2009 residency. try checking oasis/ ecfmg again on the 1st week of May
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| cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 135
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Thanks treblechar and everyone else......
Can you submit LORs if they are in your possesion. How would one go about doing this?
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| cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 135
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anyone........please reply, don't leave me hanging
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 815
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Off course!! just print the LOR submission form and send them alone or with the rest of your ERAS packet... for economic purposes I would suggest to wait and gather everything together and send it all to ERAS. Best of lucks
___________________
Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| cartman
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 135
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thanks GLO MD. your replies have really helped me sort things out in my head.
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