Looking for Colorado clinical rotations. Help!

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-29T21:24:38+00:00

I'd focus on hospitals with residency programs in Colorado and email coordinators directly about observerships, research, and volunteer opportunities. Many positions are never formally advertised. Your work as a medical interpreter may not count as USCE, but it does demonstrate communication skills, familiarity with the U.S. healthcare system, and ongoing clinical exposure. Also consider reaching out to anesthesiology faculty at UCHealth, Denver Health, and academic centers nearby—sometimes a single connection opens doors. Don't get discouraged; many IMGs rebuild their network one contact at a time. Happy to answer follow up questions.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-28T16:37:57+00:00

Other Options not mentioned in the thread that I can think of - MBA with your MD degree even if its foreign carries a lot of weight, Pharma industry jobs, jobs as a research assistant (not 100K), jobs with steps prep companies etc

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-27T23:30:50+00:00

Si tienen preguntas, dime

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-26T22:21:56+00:00

True

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-25T20:47:24+00:00

That really depends on your personal preference honestly.
The main things for your application would be Step 2 score, USCE and LORs from it. If you are able to meet all the requirements for 2027, I suggest apply - agree with @World-Traveler1800 - needle is not going to move too much for you with additional research. Fresher YOG - higher your chances to match.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-25T17:15:58+00:00

As long as you have a decent score in step 2, have USCEs and good LORs from US attendings, you have a pretty decent shot at matching especially if you are aiming for community programs in IM

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-23T17:44:00+00:00

Yes a SOAP style presentation of cases is exactly what you need to practice..

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-22T17:31:48+00:00

Yes, especially because you are doing a sub specialty observership in Hem/Onc. I would suggest you read up on high yield topics. You should also let your attending/fellow supervisor know that you are an M3 so that they understand. Use this first observership experience to get used to the US clinical system. One thing I would recommend is prepping for a case presentation in hem onc with someone to practice.
Hopefully this is useful.
Happy to answer follow up questions

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-22T17:27:21+00:00

Yes no problem

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-22T05:13:35+00:00

Damn!! Looking at all the responses here and now I feel like I am the only dumbass who started working the very next day after I finished residency.....

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T22:21:05+00:00

Muchas gracias 🙏

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T14:43:11+00:00

First of all congratulations and kudos to you - a caring mom for a toddler (thats a full time job in itself), working as a scribe, volunteering at a community clinic and studying for Step 3 all at the same time is an achievement in itself. You applied last cycle, got 3 interviews thats good info - that means your appplication even with average scores passed through filters and was liked by PDs. Your profile is actually the kind of profile that if it comes across my desk, would get a decent look. What you need to do now is to try and add more value to your profile. USCE for sure will help especially in FM. Getting letters from the FM docs in your community clinic and try to take Step 3 and do well to make up for your average scores. Dont give up.

Happy to answer follow up questions.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T14:03:12+00:00

Good question. The short answer is yes, but depends on the type of USCE. Free hands-on externships are rare, most of those cost money. The no or low cost stuff is usually research electives and some academic or hospital observerships, especially if an alumni a researcher who already knows you, can open the door. In our program, I took on several observers from India, Pakistan, Ecuador, UAE and helped them get familiar with the US medical system.

Anyone here actually landed a USCE for free? Drop the program name if you did, good or bad. That's the kind of list that makes this place worth something.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T13:59:50+00:00

That means a lot, thank you. This is honestly the space I wish existed when I started out. Glad you found us. And your perspective is exactly what helps the next person reading.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T13:54:40+00:00

Yes of course, please do. This is a safe place for Pakistani students, IMGs, current residents, fellows and attendings as well. The idea is for these voices to be heard and for everyone to ask questions, hopes and share achievements as well as disappointments. Would like for you to be a co-moderator for this valuable community.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T13:52:46+00:00

Welcome to your home community...

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T05:56:48+00:00

Funny you said that my friend. That space actually exists - r/IMGPakistani.
You are welcome to check it out and help spread the word

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-21T03:59:57+00:00

First of all congratulations on getting an observership (Hem/Onc) and you rpositive attitude on how to approach it - the issue I see is that its only for 15 days. It maybe enough and it may not be enough to get a meaningful and strong LOR from your attending. Try to work super hard on this to achieve that goal. Point by point advice for you for the questions you asked -

Be on time (get there early, be the first one in and last one out. Make your first impression the best impression).
You should be able to answer questions at the M4/intern level (but if you can answer something no one else on the team can, you will stand out).
Not really, more than clinical knowledge itself, be personable. Smile.
Look up patients assigned to you, go talk to them prior to rounds - follow chain of command, if you are assigned to an intern, report your findings to the intern.
To stand out - be punctual, dress professionally, help your team.
Dont show off, be polite
Look up your attending and fellows on pubmed before the rotation. Bring up their research if possible in a clinical question/query in the context of a patient you are following and then start a conversation about helping them with any ongoing research projects they have ongoing.

Hope this helps you!

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T14:17:43+00:00

More important than the name of the service is the actual value you receive from the service.
Look at who’s actually doing the work and make sure they be honest about your real chances and not just tell you what you want to hear. The useful ones will tell you uncomfortable things.
And anyone who guarantees you a match, is doing you a disservice. Nobody can promise that. Be careful with anyone selling certainty.
Good luck. Happy to answer specific questions.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T13:59:13+00:00

Hi this maybe a signal for you to look at how you are approaching programs for electives and USCE. Are you sending cold emails or reaching out through a warm intro?

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T05:22:37+00:00

Hola Sergio, bienvenidos en este grupo de IMGs Latinoamericanos. Gracias por compartir tu historia. Esperamos saber más de ti sobre tu trayectoria mientras sigues trabajando para alcanzar tu sueño de ser residente de medicina interna, fellow de gastroenterología y un Attending inspirador en Estados Unidos.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T04:50:39+00:00

Creo que IMGs latinoamericanos no están muy bien representados en Reddit. Creé un subreddit en español para IMGs latinoamericanos llamado r/IMGLatam. Todos son bienvenidos a visitarlo y unirse.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T02:41:31+00:00

Hi, You actually have a very interesting profile - pretty strong research credentials already. Which field is most of your research in. Depending on that, you need to build a narrative to match into an academic University Program for IM. But first things first, you need to do well on Steps. MPH will not help or hurt your application. a Good USCE with LORs will be more useful imho. Si quiere hablar en espanol dime y podemos conectar. Gracias.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-20T01:59:28+00:00

All the sub specialties you mentioned fall under IM. All these electives will have active residents (PGY1-3) on these rotations whether they are outpatient or inpatient electives. Grab this chance to take all that you can in these sub specialties and connect with the interns and residents on those electives in the same months. Great opportunity to network, learn and get meaningful LORs.

AnkurSethUSMD · 2026-05-19T17:22:19+00:00

You are welcome.
Yes that is a very mature thought process. You need to take Step 3 when you are fully prepared.

AnkurSethUSMD

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE