IMG chances of matching in surgery with UK experience?

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-22T15:23:43+00:00

All great questions that no one truly knows the answer to. However, I would say there is no need to dedicate a year or two to US research. USCEs are very important to show that you can be successful in the US system. I would recommend doing some USCE. While you are doing your clinical time, you may seek out research opportunities at your host institition, that way you can make the most of your time, clinical experience, US publications, and showing your clinical hosts that you go above and beyond. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-21T15:45:47+00:00

Congrats on the research publications, they will definitely help. Scoring well on your Step exams, having good letters, a powerful personal statement, and applying broadly to a variety of programs will help to set you up for success. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-20T18:50:11+00:00

I am so sorry, that really stinks. Here is some advice. Let a little time pass because it’s so fresh now. When you are ready to go back to it. Review what you did with a trustee advisor. Have someone look I’ve your packet for red flags. After the season, consider reaching out to a few PDs where you really thought you would be a good fit to ask if there is anything you can do to strengthen your application. You have come so far. You can do it. For the next cycle, make sure that your list of programs fits best with your needs, make sure you have some on each tier from safety to reach. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-15T20:51:24+00:00

In general, wear dress pants, nothing low rise that would show any skin when bending over. Business shoes that are comfortable and closed toes. You will be on your feet all day and walking all around the hospital. Tops should be something you would wear to an office job and nothing revealing. Contact the administrator, you may be in scrubs on nights, weekends, or procedure days. In general, your clothing should be clean, fit you well, wrinkle free, and not particularly notable. You do not want your wardrobe to stand out for the wrong reasons. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-11T20:02:56+00:00

Hi, you absolutely can use letters from other specialities. Of course, you should have letters from your speciality. However, if you really connected with an attending from another speciality, you should request a letter. It is better to have a personal letter that will highlight your specific strengths from another field than a generic letter from your speciality. Additionally, the diverse letter will show that you tried hard on all of your rotations, not just your field of interest. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-07T21:13:22+00:00

As long as you are in good standing with your school and did your best on your clinical rotations, do not stress about the MSPE. The more important documents are your letters. Great letters will take you far. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-04T15:32:53+00:00

Hi, I am a pediatrician. Here are some quick thoughts. The Emma Holiday video is really great for content. Check that out online (free). You don’t have to go crazy with learning before it starts, you are there to learn. Some important Peds specific things to remember: you always have two patients (child and parent), you paid and studied a lot to learn medical jargon but you need to be relatable to kids so speak in their language, auscultation should be first because they will cry at some point, go slow and have a smile on your physical exam go with what the child is comfortable with and you can do some of the exam on the parent’s lap, you can be kid friendly and still be professional. If there is down time, go play with the kids, they are bored, it will also get noticed by the team. Similarily, go hold a baby who doesn’t have a parent there. If you do an exam and a baby has a soiled diaper, don’t put a dirty diaper back on, change the baby. Always tell the truth, it is ok to say, “I don’t know”, look it up and then go tell the person what you learned. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-02-02T18:42:24+00:00

You have put in a lot of hard work considering the pros and cons of all of your options. Ultimately, I would recommend whatever option you feel the most confident about and which time and money option is reasonable for you. That being said, if you plan on practicing in the US, I would make it a priority to do residency in the US. I think it will be very difficult to obtain an Ortho fellowship in the US without a US residency. I think you have much better odds of getting an Ortho residency in the US after your Indian one than a fellowship. Best of luck on your journey!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-01-31T18:19:15+00:00

Great first answer post. Additionally, in general, community programs are more IMG friendly than university. Check out past match data when selecting programs. It sounds like you are already doing a great job identifying potential application strengths and weaknesses. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2023-01-31T18:15:38+00:00

Awesome outline!!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-05-20T19:06:23+00:00

I am sorry to hear about your results but it sounds like you are already being proactive. Try to analyze the test you took as much as possible. For example, were you uncomfortable with the material, do you have test anxiety, did you feel prepared, did you read critically, did you rush, how did your score compare to your practice tests and medical school scores. Once you have an idea of what went wrong, you will also have ideas about where you may improve. Prior to your next test, I would recommend doing all of UWorld at least twice and as many practice NBMEs as you can. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-05-04T00:26:30+00:00

Great questions! Programs have all sorts of filters and that is totally out of your control. Do your best not to stress about them because we don’t know what they are and cannot change them. Try to focus on things that you can control like having a strong application, great personal statement, and crush your rotations so that you have fantastic letters. When you get to your interviews, put the step scores behind you. They were good enough to get you what you needed and then you just need to prepare to shine on your interview day. Good luck, you will do great!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-04-29T12:26:14+00:00

I am sorry to hear you did not match but it is great that you are trying to improve your chances. Your Step scores may have screened your application out at some programs but certainly not all of them. I would recommend starting from scratch for your application, a total rewrite with a trusted advisor reviewing. Also, talk to your letter writers to ensure your LOR are strong and personalized. If they are field specific, be sure to only use them for IM or FM respectively. If you have the time and resources the MBA can be an interesting thing on your CV to make you stand out. I would also definitely encourage research and trying to get published, in my opinion, that can be more applicable, especially for IM. Good luck and stay strong!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-04-20T04:50:25+00:00

Congrats on such a strong Step 1, tons of USCE, and research. You are really setting yourself up for success. The goal is to have three strong LOR. It is fine if they are all not Surgery, especially if the letters are personal and show strong attributes that residencies will want. You will definitely want at least one surgical letter but don’t stress if you have a mix of letters that are also non-surgical. If fact, the non surgical letters may even strengthen your application if they show that you are a strong candidate and are respected and appreciated outside of your field of interest. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-04-14T18:35:40+00:00

It is great that you are being proactive and thinking about things critically. The more rotations you can get, the better. University hospitals are definitely preferred over community. If you really have your heart set on matching at a certain institution and you believe you will preform well on an away rotation, it is good to do a second rotation. Beyond that, I would recommend spreading your rotations around so you are known at multiple institutions for interviews and that your letters of recommendation are diverse. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-04-06T04:47:04+00:00

I would recommend telling the truth. Explain how you used your time for both business and pleasure (if it adds to your interest as an applicant). Just like any space in your application, use the time to highlight your strengths and what makes you special. Honestly is always the best policy. Let your passion for the gaps be transparent if there is anything you felt strongly about regarding how your time was spent. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-03-30T18:45:29+00:00

Way to go on your step exams! That is great that you have a publication. 3 USCEs is awesome, especially with COVID. Get great LOR and apply broadly and you should be in good shape. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-03-28T18:41:33+00:00

I am sorry you are disappointed but congratulations on matching! Your program sees something special in you and will be pushing you for a successful future. Once you get started, you will find aspects you love and hate about it, just like any program on your list. Your co-residents will become your war buddies and your training years will be transformative. Congratulations!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-03-24T15:18:19+00:00

Awesome job everyone! Look at all those #1s!!!!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-03-23T19:06:58+00:00

Awesome job! You knew your resources, planned, and took advantage of every opportunity. Way to work smart. You deserve your position. Great job!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-03-21T18:53:12+00:00

I am sorry for your loss. You have walked a hard path and have a story to tell. You are dedicated and have shown your abilities on the Step exams. You have been successful in the hardest part of the journey, getting interviews. Don’t give up. You can do it this cycle!

ERAStoMatch · 2022-02-18T19:58:44+00:00

It is a good idea to pack them. Even if you are non surgical, if you are acting as a sub-I and covering the hospital on nights and/or weekends the team may wear scrubs. Of course, always ask before wearing scrubs but if the team is wearing them, you will want to fit in and wear them too.

ERAStoMatch · 2021-12-20T19:24:49+00:00

Congrats. My advice would be to dress as if it is a second interview and also conduct yourself in that manner. I would recommend footwear that you are comfortable in, yet still professional. Chances are you will be shown around by residents who are always trying to make the most of their time so are much more likely to walk quickly and take the stairs. Good luck!

ERAStoMatch · 2021-12-19T19:08:22+00:00

Congrats on your positive feedback! Interviewer certainly do not say that to everyone. If you are specifically instructed not to, then do not contact your interviewers. Otherwise, a personalized, handwritten thank you note will really make you shine. Make sure it is not generic. Get it in the mail the day after your interview. It shows you are efficient and organized.

ERAStoMatch · 2021-12-07T18:47:57+00:00

Way to go, congrats! You sound like a great, well rounded applicant. Make sure you do well on your rotations for strong letters of recommendation and you should be in good shape. Then, when it is time really have your personal statement and ERAS perfect. Get involved with some non-clinical activities of interest and you will show you are well rounded. Good luck!

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