International Medical Graduate and the United States Medical Residency Application : A Guide to Achieving Success

"This unique, socially conscience reference provides valuable guidance to international medical graduates (IMG's) looking to complete a residency in the United States. The medical residency application process in the United States is competitive and complex. Additionally, many IMG's go through training programs that sharply differ from the medical school training and the sociocultural elements of United States medicine and residency are unlike any other country. Organized into three parts, this book meets the need for a pragmatic, evidence based guide that answers important questions, and imparts indispensable advice to IMGs. Part I directly tackles the concerns IMG's have regarding specific elements of residency applications, including the importance of a master's degree and how to get a strong letter of recommendation. Part II then addresses how to prepare for interviews, preliminary programs and travel. Finally, the book answers the common "what ifs" and "what's next" questions many IMG's ponder. International Medical Graduate and the United States Medical Residency Application: A Guide to Achieving Success is a first-of-its-kind resource that presents a holistic view of residency application peppered with real life examples, easy to grasp tables and flow charts and key do's and don'ts to drive home the complex process involved in residency application." -- prové de l'editor Preface 6 Contents 8 Contributors 11 Part I: Pre-interview 13 Chapter 1: What Does US Residency Application Consist Of? 14 List of Various Sections in MyERAS Application 15 Application Tips 16 Chapter 2: How Competitive Is US Residency Application? 17 Reference 21 Chapter 3: How and When to Get a Clerkship Position? 22 How to Apply? 23 The Usual Documents Required 23 Some More Things to Know About Electives 24 Visa Requirements 25 Chapter 4: Does an Observership Count? 26 Documents Required 27 Additional Information about Observership Application Process 27 Visa Requirements 28 Order of Importance 30 Reference 30 Chapter 5: Does a Research Position Count? 31 Highlights of Research Experience if Done Right 32 Reference 33 Chapter 6: Do I Need to Do a Master’s Program Before Residency? 34 Introduction 34 Type of Master’s Program 35 Benefits of a Master’s Program 35 Disadvantages 36 Chapter 7: I Am an Experienced International Graduate, Can I Apply? 37 Setting Clear Goals and Planning 40 Getting Competitive USMLE Scores 40 Communicating with Programs, Residents, and Co-applicants 42 Research and Publications 42 Alternate Pathway 43 Staying Patient and Perseverant 43 References 44 Chapter 8: How to Prepare for USMLEs, How to Do Well, and When to Take Them? 45 What is USMLE? 45 Step 1 46 Step 2 CK 49 Step 2 CS 49 Step 3 51 References 53 Chapter 9: How Can I Make My Residency Application Competitive? 54 Academic Performance 54 US Clinical Experience (USCE) and Volunteer Experience 55 Research 55 Personal Statement 56 Chapter 10: How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a US Residency? 57 The Cost of Applying for Medical Residency 58 Payment Methods 58 Refund Policy 59 Contact Information for ECFMG 59 Interviewing Cost 59 References 61 Chapter 11: What Kinds of Visa Do I Need to Apply for and When to Apply? 62 Introduction 62 Why Do I Need a Visa? 63 What Are the Types of Visas? 63 B-1 Visa 63 B-2 Visa 64 F-1 Visa 64 Visa Options to Begin Residency 65 J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor’s Visa) 65 H-1B Visa 66 References 68 Part II: Interview 69 Chapter 12: How to Get a Strong Letter of Recommendation? 70 Introduction 70 Typical LoR Requirements for Residency Application 71 The Process of Obtaining a Strong LoR 71 Whom to Ask for the Letter? 73 When Is the Ideal Time to Ask for a Letter? 74 Elements of the Letter of Recommendation 75 Should You Waive the Rights to View Your Letter? 76 Express Gratitude to Your Letter Writers: 76 Conclusion 77 Chapter 13: How to Write a Competitive Personal Statement? 78 Purpose of Personal Statement 78 Common Mistakes in PS Writing 79 Rules for Writing Personal Statement 80 Reference 83 Chapter 14: What is MSPE? 84 Introduction 84 Content of the Letter 85 MSPE for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) 88 Conclusion 88 Reference 88 Chapter 15: How Can I Make My CV Strong? 89 Introduction 89 Why Do I Need a CV? 90 How Long Should My CV Be? 90 What’s the Best CV Format? 90 Elements of a CV 90 Tips to Remember (as Shown in Fig. 15.1) 92 Conclusion 94 Chapter 16: I Got an Interview, How Do I Prepare for It? 98 Introduction 98 Practice Makes You Perfect 99 Know the Program 100 What Should I Be Prepared for? 101 Personal Statement 101 Work Experience 101 Research Experience 102 Hobbies 102 Common Questions 102 Interview Attire 103 Pre-interview Dinner 103 Interview Day 103 Tips for Men 104 Tips for Women 104 Travel Arrangements 105 Chapter 17: How Many Interviews Do I Need to Be Safe? Is It Same for Prelim and Advanced Programs? 106 Contiguous Ranking 107 References 108 Chapter 18: I Have Not Gotten Any Interview, What Should I Do? 109 Personal Statement 111 Letter of Recommendation 111 US Clinical Experience 112 Specialty and Program Choice 112 Number of Programs Applied 114 Follow-Up 114 Miscellaneous 114 References 115 Chapter 19: Tips About the Travel Preparation for Interviews 116 Introduction 116 Packing 117 Mode of Communication/Travelling 118 Travel Preparation 118 Housing 119 Conclusion 120 Chapter 20: How Do I Ace Interviews? 121 Introduction 121 Pre-interview Dinner 122 Interview 123 Etiquettes 123 Kinds of Interviews 124 Frequent Questions Asked to the Faculty 126 Frequent Questions Asked to the Residents 127 Handling Inappropriate/Illegal Questions 128 Things to Avoid During an Interview 129 Conclusion 130 Chapter 21: I Am Done with My Interviews, What Should I Do Now? 131 Introduction 131 Evaluate the Program 132 Thank You Correspondence Mails 133 Follow-Up with the Program 134 Part III: Post-interview 135 Chapter 22: I Matched into Prelim Program, What Should I Do Now? 136 Now the Question Is, Once You Matched into Prelim Year, What’s Next? 138 If You Are Unable to Find Any Advanced Positions in SOAP, Then What? 139 References 139 Chapter 23: I Matched into Advanced Program, What Should I Do Now? 141 So This Raises Another Question; What If I Match in the Advance Program but Not in Preliminary? 143 References 144 Chapter 24: I Didn’t Match, How Do I Scramble? 145 What’s SOAP? 145 Monday of Match Week 147 Tuesday of Match Week 148 Wednesday of Match Week 148 Thursday of Match Week 148 Reference 149 Chapter 25: I Matched but Not to the Program of My Top Choice, What Do I Do? 150 References 154 Chapter 26: I Matched but Not to the Specialty of My Top Choice, What Do I Do? 155 References 159 Chapter 27: I Matched and I Want to Know What the Next Steps Are? 160 References 163 Chapter 28: I Didn’t Match This Year, Should I Apply Again? 164 Reasons for Not Getting Matched 165 References 169 Chapter 29: How to Prepare for a Life in the USA? 170 The Big Dream 170 Culture in the USA 170 Language 171 Religion 172 Insurance 173 Health Insurance 173 Travel Insurance 174 Dental Insurance 175 Accommodation 175 Rental Housing 175 Own House 175 Connectivity 176 Transportation 176 Public Transportation 176 Own Transportation 176 Food 177 Conclusion 177 References 177 Chapter 30: What Should I Pack and Not? 178 Moving 179 Packing 180 Chapter 31: When Can I Go Back to See My Family? 184 Why Visa Is Important for IMGs? 186 What Are the Important Regulations That IMGs Have to Follow After Getting the J-1 Visa? 186 What Are the Essential Documents J-1 Physician and J-2 Dependents Should Carry for International Travel? 187 What to Expect When Reentering the USA? 187 Important Links 187 Tips for Managing Your Vacation During the Residency 188 References 188 Timeline at a Glance 189 Index 190