tsachil8
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 14
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Hi all,
1.even though I an an IMG, I would like to try applying to the top notched US pediatrics US residencies programs (scored top 90 in both steps, no USCE though), how can I get an idea as to what are those programs, some recommendations?
2. I have the LOR's with me, when sending them in, do I need to attach the cover sheet or that's only the case when the LOR write sends them ?
Thank you all very much
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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Hey tsachil8!
Actually I am in the same boat. Would like to apply to the big colleges, but have not taken the time to actually look at the requirements.
The #1 peds hospital (Philadelphia Childrens) is out of reach to most IMGs unless you have 1 year US training.
The others I looked at can be applied to, but they have asked for EXCEPTIONAL (whatever that means)
candidates.
So I just got a list from match a resident .com
Everyone says its pretty accurate so I did not want to waste time.
As for LORs I am have attached a cover letter to all of them BUT I read on the site you don't need to.
(I am a bit paranoid about paperwork)
Hope that helps
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 197
Posts: 2,720
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Cover sheet needs to accompany any LoR, regardless of who sends it.
It is the DSF which is optional.
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Prepare as if you're the worst, Perform as if you're the best! As you dream, so you manifest. So, DREAM BIG!! When you face hardship, remember, God never gives you more than you can handle. Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. Internship, Here I come!!
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| tsachil8
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 14
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very helpull
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| xthine
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 241
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A bit off topic..I thought we SHOULD attach DSFs each time we send documents to ECFMG? The cover letters are required only for the waived LORs.
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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tsachil8 wrote:
Hi all,
1.even though I an an IMG, I would like to try applying to the top notched US pediatrics US residencies programs (scored top 90 in both steps, no USCE though), how can I get an idea as to what are those programs, some recommendations?
2. I have the LOR's with me, when sending them in, do I need to attach the cover sheet or that's only the case when the LOR write sends them ?
Thank you all very much
http://www.usnews.com/directories/hospitals/index...
Child magazine and US news and world report are 2 ranking systems for childrens hosp....i wouldnt trust ranking systems too much but they do give u an idea regarding what is considered reputed.
Exceptional just means something that makes u stand apart from an average AMG or IMG..could be scores, prior residency, a PhD, papers, voluntary work....anything...dont let that scare u, apply and see what happens, u may be more exceptional than u think u are!
All the best
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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Thanks mukho!!
How did you research these programs?
Is going to their website and freida enough to get an idea?
And does anyone know how we should analyze data from FREIDA?
i.e. What is a good patient load for a hospital?
What are decent working hours?
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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as u possibly guess...information on websites may not always reflect eh actual scenario....so u may see continuous duty hrs of 24 only in prog A compared to 30 in some other hosp and think thats good but actually given the load of patients prog B has it might turn out worse!!
Best is when u go for an interview and get a feel ...when deciding application i used the following criteria as positive for me ( and all were not justified )
1. University prog
2. dedicated Childrens hospital i,e no adult patients (I just felt sharing administration and finance with adults puts peds practise to disadvantage and learning is better in CH as all specialities are trained in peds care from lab to radio)
3. large prog (meaning > 12 for me, this was coz in small programs if one person falls ill or gets pregnant its hard to make place)
4. With fellowships esp in one that i was interested in (i figured getting into ur own prog in fellowship would be easier)
5. prestige of prog
6. location-choosing more cosmopolitan diverse areas (but would have gone anywhere actually)
7. Categorical peds (didnt initially apply to primary care/community tracks coz i wanted to pursue academic fields but this was unfounded belief for many larger prog where both tracks exist and where training for both are almost identical)
8. Pay + benefits
but info in frieda is not written in stone and our interpretation (especially with regards to duty hours) compared to what actually is going on can vary widely....i used the number of seats, pay, fellowship details for deciding....the info on number of female physicians is interesting to note but didnt really influence my thoughts regarding the prog's "equal oppurtunity" standing.
moonlighting doesnt work for most of FMGs so didnt consider that...
and lastly...ACGME criteria state max duty hours of q4 30 hour shift and most programs do stick to that, uniformly ...also most good programs that take FMGs are large and busy programs...i always felt for residency if u have few patients u will get time to study and if there are too many patients then they will do the teaching ...both ways u learn!!
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| docdoc9
Forum Guru
Topics: 63
Posts: 521
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hey mukho
Thanks for the detailed info
Good to see you in this forum
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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Thanks alot for the methodology. I was not really sure myself about how to go about researching programs. 
Did you use scutwork.com alot?
And what do you mean by the prestige of a program?
I mean, did you go by the USnews ranking list was there some other way?
Was there a reason you wanted to go to a more cosmo area? (Besides the environment?)
And is there another way to find out if the hospital is for children only?
I don't mean the Children's hospitals (the name gives it away) but other hospitals?
Thanks again for answering my questions in such detail mukho... 
What are you planning on specializing in?
And if don't mind my asking , what does mukho mean? It has to have some meaning right?
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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Mukho is part of my actual name...doesnt really mean anything
I am in a peds program, just started residency in july
I didnt use too much scut work...cause after i read a few they mostly started sounding similar
prestige one can guess by using the rank lists i mentioned but alos by talking to other aspirants around u, especially AMGs...like baylor isnt on the list high but most peds ppl will tell u it is one of the very best...so there isnt always a written list of best programs but just a vague word of mouth rep which is obvious to ppl from US though can be a bit esoteric for FMGs like us.
I wanted to get into areas that had some life to it...some places like iowa, lousiana while have excellent programs, the culture shock can be very strong...i'd rather stay in a place like NY which is a mix of all cultures....that was pretty low on my list of priority but if i had a choice i would prefer places with some SE Asian crowd just cause sometimes it wuold be great to watch a bollywood movie or eat kebaabs and not have to do it ppl who think its "exotic"
Hospitals that are exclusively for childrens almost always have CH in the name...otherwise it will be there in the website...its a positive point so no one will be hiding it ....but some peds prog like baylor, iowa are not CH and still excellent so keep that in mind
hope this ans some of ur ques...GL!
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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docdoc9...I have been in my NICU rotation and its been so crazy busy that i wasnt able to frequent the forum...but I really wanted chip in any info i could, especially for peds aspirants...so hopefully i'll be able to be more regular
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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I had another question. I used matcharesident.com and got a list of programs they said I could apply to.
But the weird thing is that out of the total 210 peds program it said I could only apply to 110 of them. I found this weird as I have good scores (99/99) and don't need a visa.
I checked programs like Texas Children's and they accept IMGs also.
So this just set me thinking. Is the list really accurate?
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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didnt use any site for getting list coz peds prog are pretty doable by oneself and i wasnt applying to any others...so i and 2 other friends of mine got together and shared the info (if i really wanted a program i applied irrespective of what eligibility criteria said...nothing is written in stone)
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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Thanks alot mukho!!!! you are way too cool!!!  Not many people who have matched come back to give advice.
I have more questions for you since you seem to be the only other person in this forum
Did you apply for West Coast last year (California, etc?)
When I was looking at the requirements they (Stanford and some others) require a letter from the HOD of peds from my college. As of now I don't have that but am trying to get it. But I am sure it will take awhile.
Should I apply on Sep 1st without the LOR or should I wait till it comes (probably mid to late September by the time it is loaded) and then apply?
I guess my question is, does it hurt to apply late to colleges?
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| mukho
Forum Elite
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Posts: 558
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I didnt have a PTAL and so didnt apply anywhere in west coast...and nowhere else did they require HODs letter...from what i have heard they can be stickler for rules (and they have a lot of them!!) but i personally think u should apply early and write in a nice email to PD saying letter from HOD is on the way...
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| dr_puma
Forum Guru
Topics: 40
Posts: 541
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what is cover sheet?
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do whatever u want,but do it wholeheartedly...never hold back.
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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A cover sheet is the letter that goes with a LOR and DSF.
You can download it from ERAS
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| Gotan
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 128
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I had another question mukho.
How many programs did you apply last year?
There are 191 peds programs according to FREIDA.
Did you apply to any community hospitals as backup?
I am asking because my scores are good (99/99) and I also have
9 months observership experience (not all in peds) and 2 publications.
I also don't have a visa problem (am a US citizen) and have 4 US LORs (only 1 is peds though)
Should I apply to community progams as a backup?
Thanks again for the advice.
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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i applied to 50 programs, posted the list in
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/69418/3/
ur profile sounds like u'll get among ur top choices...I didnt apply to community programs mostly just cause that was not what i wanted to do and secondly i ran out of money after applying to all the univ programs...I guess keeping back up is wise but I would advice u not to apply to any program u, in reality would hate to go to...
I did apply to some progs as back up which were reputed to take IMGs with good scores, but they turned out to be as unpredictable as others (maybe my info on the ease of getting IV from them was misconcieved)...like I thought cook county chicago called most IMGs, i didnt get called from there, NJ is supposed to be IMG friendly, again no call...so u should be a bit skeptical on taking my advice
I hope u guys have a great time researching and travelling....its my pleasure to share experiences with you....GL
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