ClaireBear
Forum Newbie
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Posts: 3
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I am an IMG, graduated in 2001. I've been in the US for 3 years. My job is not related to medicine at all. I decided to go for the Steps. I have not taken any Steps yet. I have no pathology background at all. My 3 years working experience in home country was clinical.
A pathologist advice me that I can take M Phil in Pathology NOW or after the fact that I could not get a match. By doing M Phil, it can boost my chance to get into residency for Pathology later. But he cannot provide any information more than that. Because he did not go this path.
I hope anyone who knows or has experience in this can give me your valuable advice. I am really intimidated by the fact that people applying are so good!
Thank you in advance.
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| cherryho
Forum Guru
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Posts: 573
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I just got my PhD in pathology. There're not many pathology graduate programs available (probably ~10 good programs the whole country). You can go to each school's Website and look into the graduate programs they offer. The chance is not good to get into a good program w/o previous research experience. You also have to take GRE and TOEFL. The whole application process might be even tougher than Match, if you want to enter a good program. Graduate study is a long commitment which often takes more than 5 years. Think about it before making this decision. Let me know if you have any more question.
___________________
99/99/Pass; Certified; 2003; US PhD; 2M US clerkships; GC; Chance favors only the prepared mind. - Louis Pasteur
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| ClaireBear
Forum Newbie
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Thank you, cherryho! You are so helpful.
I read through you posts because I do not want to ask you questions that you have answered before. I am new to the forum.
Do you have any idea what the programs are looking for in Match? Do they want research background in IMG?
I was also advice that it may not be a good idea to get into 'not so good' programs because of lack of exposure to cases. When I am on my own in the future, I may not be competent enough and it might lead to lawsuits. So my question should be, what does a 'good' program want?
Thank you again!
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| cherryho
Forum Guru
Topics: 30
Posts: 573
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ClaireBear.
I can't say that I know what path programs are looking for because I am the only IMG I know applying for pathology. But I did some research about the program requirements/preference, and I think having a PhD is definitely a plus (for example, Yale pointed this out).
Having a US degree and strong research background boost the resume quite a lot if you want to get into a university program. I know a few people from my med sch who got into the top 10 programs in the country (Int Med, Neurosurgery). They all have a post-graduate US degree from top 10 institutions (MPH or PhD).
Unless you are very interested in research, I personally don't recommend going to graduate school just to decorate the resume. I've seen several of my graduate school classmates struggle. There's no guarantee that you can graduate in 5 years or even get a degree. It all depends on the progress of your research. But for me, it's no doubt the most rewarding experience ever in my life. I love research and the environment in the US is great. Besides, with a US degree, I feel that I am not being looked down onto as a foreigner. People generally give you more respect.
Hope my experience can help you with the decision.
___________________
99/99/Pass; Certified; 2003; US PhD; 2M US clerkships; GC; Chance favors only the prepared mind. - Louis Pasteur
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| ClaireBear
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 3
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It certainly helps. I would not have known how it's like to go into graduate studies.
Thank you again
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