[Anna1988]

Hi guys, When do people think is the best time to take the USMLE part 1 exam (and also the other parts) in relation to the 4 and 5 year MBBS in the UK? I know it is possible to take it anytime and that US students take the first part after their 2nd year but just wondering what UK students think. Thanks!


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[Blorcyn]

(Original post by digitalis)
x

Digitalis is really the resident pro on things USMLE related.

[digitalis]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Hi guys, When do people think is the best time to take the USMLE part 1 exam (and also the other parts) in relation to the 4 and 5 year MBBS in the UK? I know it is possible to take it anytime and that US students take the first part after their 2nd year but just wondering what UK students think. Thanks!


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I'd recommend using your entire summer holiday between 4th and 5th year.

[Anna1988]

(Original post by digitalis)
I'd recommend using your entire summer holiday between 4th and 5th year.

That would be the summer between 3rd and 4th on a GEM course,right? And the written step 2 after finals,right? Which residency are you looking to do, if you don't mind my asking? I've read in many places that other than a few specialties (family med, internal med, paediatrics and psychiatry) that most other specialties are near to impossible for a foreign graduate, has your experience been the same? Thanks a lot for your response, I appreciate it :-)

[digitalis]

(Original post by Anna1988)
That would be the summer between 3rd and 4th on a GEM course,right? And the written step 2 after finals,right? Which residency are you looking to do, if you don't mind my asking? I've read in many places that other than a few specialties (family med, internal med, paediatrics and psychiatry) that most other specialties are near to impossible for a foreign graduate, has your experience been the same? Thanks a lot for your response, I appreciate it :-)

Yes, that sounds all right. I did Step 2CK about a month before finals.

I want to do IM. It's the primary care specialties that you can apply for really (you missed out O&G and neuro), some like anaesthesiology, gen surg etc are more competitive and some are just not worth applying to (ortho, eyes, ent, radiology, derm etc)

[Anna1988]

(Original post by digitalis)
Yes, that sounds all right. I did Step 2CK about a month before finals.

I want to do IM. It's the primary care specialties that you can apply for really (you missed out O&G and neuro), some like anaesthesiology, gen surg etc are more competitive and some are just not worth applying to (ortho, eyes, ent, radiology, derm etc)

Thanks for the info. I've been googling it all and have come across a lot of forums but most of them are students from Asian medical schools so I was wondering if the experience is pretty much the same for a UK grad. Other than the USMLE, ECFMG and US Match websites and all the forums, are there any resources (books, websites or anything else) that you've found useful for just learning about the system and the application process and so on for an IMG?

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Thanks for the info. I've been googling it all and have come across a lot of forums but most of them are students from Asian medical schools so I was wondering if the experience is pretty much the same for a UK grad. Other than the USMLE, ECFMG and US Match websites and all the forums, are there any resources (books, websites or anything else) that you've found useful for just learning about the system and the application process and so on for an IMG?

Get in touch with some program directors of specialities you're interested in. You need to build some level of rapport with these people, even if it's just over email. This will also get you an idea of what they are looking for in a potential resident. Oh and kill the USMLE.

Will you be writing the Canadian exams?

[Anna1988]

(Original post by .eXe)
Get in touch with some program directors of specialities you're interested in. You need to build some level of rapport with these people, even if it's just over email. This will also get you an idea of what they are looking for in a potential resident. Oh and kill the USMLE.

Will you be writing the Canadian exams?

Probably just USMLE. I've heard Canada is even more difficult for IMGs than the states, possible due to fewer places. Not sure how accurate that is.

[digitalis]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Probably just USMLE. I've heard Canada is even more difficult for IMGs than the states, possible due to fewer places. Not sure how accurate that is.

Very true. Plus have to be a Canadian PR/Citizen to apply.

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Probably just USMLE. I've heard Canada is even more difficult for IMGs than the states, possible due to fewer places. Not sure how accurate that is.

Yes it's pretty damn difficult, especially if you aren't Canadian.

I've attached a PDF outlining the steps required for IMG's to come to Canada, just for your reference.

http://davidklein.org/Pathway_PG.pdf

[Anna1988]

Do you guys happen to know if General Surgery is still possible to get for IMGs (talking about US) or should we realistically not even look at that one?


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[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Do you guys happen to know if General Surgery is still possible to get for IMGs (talking about US) or should we realistically not even look at that one?


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possiblebut unrealistic if you dont know anyone here. most img's who get into gen surg are either canadian originally, or have some rapport with program directors here either through research pursuits or electives, etc.

the chance of a fresh IMG getting into gen surg is quite low in canada, but thats not to say its impossible.

if you do well on the exams, you will have a shot. but I am using the word "well" quite loosely here. you have to literally do exceptional...much better than canadian kids, to be considered competitive for this speciality.

[Anna1988]

(Original post by .eXe)
possiblebut unrealistic if you dont know anyone here. most img's who get into gen surg are either canadian originally, or have some rapport with program directors here either through research pursuits or electives, etc.

the chance of a fresh IMG getting into gen surg is quite low in canada, but thats not to say its impossible.

if you do well on the exams, you will have a shot. but I am using the word "well" quite loosely here. you have to literally do exceptional...much better than canadian kids, to be considered competitive for this speciality.

Is it the same for US? Again talking about a fresh graduate IMG without contacts. By the way, are you looking at USMLE as well as the Canadian exam?

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
Is it the same for US? Again talking about a fresh graduate IMG without contacts. By the way, are you looking at USMLE as well as the Canadian exam?

What's your citizenship?

[Anna1988]

(Original post by .eXe)
What's your citizenship?

British so I would be a non-US IMG which I hear is the worst type of IMG to be!

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
British so I would be a non-US IMG which I hear is the worst type of IMG to be!

Yes, pretty much. To be fair, UK has some strict requirements for foreigners as well.

Any particular reason you want to pursue residency in the US?

[Anna1988]

(Original post by .eXe)
Yes, pretty much. To be fair, UK has some strict requirements for foreigners as well.

Any particular reason you want to pursue residency in the US?

I have immediate family there. Are you applying for US too?

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
I have immediate family there. Are you applying for US too?

Most likely will so I can maximize my chances but I have no real intention of doing residency there. It'll be my last resort in case I fail hardcore in Canada and UK.

[Anna1988]

(Original post by .eXe)
Most likely will so I can maximize my chances but I have no real intention of doing residency there. It'll be my last resort in case I fail hardcore in Canada and UK.

oh ok, do you have family here in the UK? Do you know what specialty you want to do?

[.eXe]

(Original post by Anna1988)
oh ok, do you have family here in the UK? Do you know what specialty you want to do?

Have some family in Scotland, nowhere near where I'll be though. Too early to decide but I'd like to do ortho and specialize in spine. Will be pretty much impossible to do in the UK, but achievable in Canada.