| Mobile Edition | Help/Newbie? | 24/7 Support |
| HOT | PrePG | MCQ | DNB | Careers | Books | Colleges | Dental | DocIndia | PLAB | USMLE | Australia | Canada | GLOBAL | OffBeat! | |
| Articles | Forums | MCQ Crammer | Downloads | Mnemonics | Revision Tools | Recent Shouts | All Features | |
|
|
|
|
 |
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Next
I can understand.. these are tough choices.. Good luck and god bless..  |
| adonis wrote: |
| hey ashb ,it was nice goin through this forum, bcoz once i was in this dilemma,wasted one yr for USMLE eventhough i did get a decent score of 92 in step1, my aim was surgery and even wit scores of 99 you can never be assured of a seat, but thats not the case with internal medicine. so i changed track this yr for AIPGE and i have no regrets about it,during one yr i suddenly realised that the us is not everything and that serving our country is much more gratifying than goin to some foreign country and being a second class citizen,anyways these are solely my views and i have nothing against docs going to the us. |
Very well said tanpgi and adonis, its very important to think with an open mind and indivdualize our decision. Everything has its pros and cons, so it all depends upon which cons we want to embrace.
@SHASHANK: Hey buddy, thanks for the appreciation. That was 1.5 year back when i was mulling over these two issues and had nobody to look for help. To be frank even today at times when i see my friends settled in PG, I wonder why i didn't go for the simpler route, specially when i was in the middle of my preps and was performing pretty decently on the various self assessment tests. But then i prefer the Alchemist's path.. Chase my dreams to the end of the world.. I just hope the universe starts conspiring now..
@tanpgi: Your views are very clear and organised. I wish you had written an article back then and i had come across it. The decision would've been easier for me..
@Adonis: I agree with all your views except the too hyped up view of Indians being 2nd class citizens elsewhere, which actually is no more than between various regions of India. Maybe you haven't experienced the hardcore regionalism and discrimination in India yet (I pray you don't ever..
). Anyways that doesn't affect any of our decisions. BTW 92 was a good score! Why don't you drop a few words of advice on preps for people preparing for Step1 here in step1 forum. I'm sure by now you must have gotten your coveted branch here. good luck for your future..
hello ash B
Thanks hor such a nice thread of information.
Good luck!!!
and i am thinkin that i shud quit usmle as it is fixed in my mind that with such a resume its almost to impossible to get a residency there,and i would waste another year here.so atleat i cud get 6mnths to prepare for AIPGE,,its realy a tough situation for me,dunno how to proceed.....
| doc575 wrote: |
| hi there,i have taken my steps and got scores in mid 80's in both steps,goin for cs now,,i dont have any usce,research..,observership,,,,and even the scores are not in 90's..this is depressing me alot..
and i am thinkin that i shud quit USMLE as it is fixed in my mind that with such a resume its almost to impossible to get a residency there,and i would waste another year here.so atleat i cud get 6mnths to prepare for AIPGE,,its realy a tough situation for me,dunno how to proceed..... |
Since you've come this far, don't give up. Mid 80s are a bit risky, specially without anything else on your CV but they don't rule out a residency.. Its NOT impossible..
There's still time, try hard to get some observerships, complete Step3 while in US for CS. Apply on Sept 1st itself, not even one day late. Try to get a US LOR if you can via observership/externship. Prepare good SOP and prepare hard for the interviews, your presentation, langauge, confidence etc..
Don't lose hope but you'll have to work hard to get maximum things right. My 2 cents..
Good luck..
and thanks for being there always for all of us.
g/l
MAKE A GUD PLAN-U VE ENUF TYM 4 2009 RESIDENCY,
GOOD LUCK!
Don't lose hope but you'll have to work hard to get maximum things right. My 2 cents.. ""
I just had to write a line here ! You will do well to remember and live these lines written by AshB--they are more true than you can imagne.
Quite a few Residency programs look not only for "the score", but for presentation as well. Get some (ANY) work experience in US. Do a shadowing in a Residnecy program. Get involved in a 6 week to 12 week project. Get conversant with bench research. Learn a little about statastics, and a little about genetics, and so on. 80's isnt the end of the world, think of it like a "Marathon"--first mile done, now get the next one over with.
Do your own due dilligence--take any advise (including this one !) with a ton of salt.
| TexasPedi wrote: |
| "There's still time, try hard to get some observerships, complete Step3 while in US for CS. Apply on Sept 1st itself, not even one day late. Try to get a US LOR if you can via observership/externship. Prepare good SOP and prepare hard for the interviews, your presentation, langauge, confidence etc..
Don't lose hope but you'll have to work hard to get maximum things right. My 2 cents.. "" I just had to write a line here ! You will do well to remember and live these lines written by AshB--they are more true than you can imagne. Quite a few Residency programs look not only for "the score", but for presentation as well. Get some (ANY) work experience in US. Do a shadowing in a Residnecy program. Get involved in a 6 week to 12 week project. Get conversant with bench research. Learn a little about statastics, and a little about genetics, and so on. 80's isnt the end of the world, think of it like a "Marathon"--first mile done, now get the next one over with. Do your own due dilligence--take any advise (including this one !) with a ton of salt. |
Thanks Texaspedi for your suggestions.
Couldn't have said it better..
or what kind of possible oppartunity is available their without clearing usmle ! but having md degree in some highly demeandable fields such as( RADIOLOGY, SURGERY , NUROSURGERY, ETC) sir i ld also like 2 know that can some one still work in medical setup in usa once he /she achived some high academic credentials such as( mbbs/md/mph) and what are chances of getting into reserch program if he enjoy nationality status /green card status
how worh these mph degrees are after md in some other clinical branches frome abroad (other than usa ) and what possible job it could provide in health care syestem of usa AND HOW MCH SALARY IT COULD PROVIDE ??
once again much more thanks for giving ur precious time ( only to whome those who replys)
or what kind of possible oppartunity is available their without clearing usmle ! but having md degree in somme highly demeandable fields such as( RADIOLOGY, SURGERY , NUROSURGERY, ETC) sir i ld also like 2 know that can some one still work in medical setup in usa once he /she achived some high academic credentials such as( mbbs/md/mph) and what are chances of getting into reserch program if he enjoy nationality status /green card status
how worh these mph degrees are after md in some other clinical branches frome abroad (other than usa ) and what possible job it could provide in health care syestem of usa
once again much more thanks for giving ur precious time ( only to whome those who replys)
or what kind of possible oppartunity is available their without clearing USMLE ! but having md degree in somme highly demeandable fields such as( RADIOLOGY, SURGERY , NUROSURGERY, ETC) sir i ld also like 2 know that can some one still work in medical setup in usa once he /she achived some high academic credentials such as( mbbs/md/mph) and what are chances of getting into reserch program if he enjoy nationality status /green card status
how worh these mph degrees are after md in some other clinical branches frome abroad (other than usa ) and what possible job it could provide in health care syestem of usa
once again much more thanks for giving ur precious time ( only to whome those who replys)
| ritesh2185 wrote: |
| thanks alot for ur previous information about USMLE all procedure ! sir i would like 2 know some possible scopes after mbbs( bachelore) degree /md in usa ! what is the chances of getting into reserch felloship program in us after pg frome abroad (means country other than usa) if some one having a green card status but without taking USMLE
or what kind of possible oppartunity is available their without clearing USMLE ! but having md degree in somme highly demeandable fields such as( RADIOLOGY, SURGERY , NUROSURGERY, ETC) sir i ld also like 2 know that can some one still work in medical setup in usa once he /she achived some high academic credentials such as( mbbs/md/mph) and what are chances of getting into reserch program if he enjoy nationality status /green card status how worh these mph degrees are after md in some other clinical branches frome abroad (other than usa ) and what possible job it could provide in health care syestem of usa once again much more thanks for giving ur precious time ( only to whome those who replys) |
See Ritesh, no offence meant but its not about interest. Many people, including me, here have spent hours compiling info and discussing them in the threads as you would agree. When a new member comes and asks open ended questions that can't be answered even in hours let alone one thread, people tend to bypass such a post. And more important than that the questions you have asked have been discussed multiple times in multiple threads. So i suggest you take time out to read the hot topics and sticky threads an FAQ threads CAREFULLY. Then when you still have queries left or want to post your views, post them in appropriate thread. Ask specific questions about issues that can be answered and NOT Qs that have a subjective and essay as an answer like.. "How can i get a residency in USA?".
About some of your Qs.. Research Fellowship as such are paid courses like MPH and of course you can get into them.
The bypass routes outside USMLE route do exist but they are VERY difficult and only rare people get them that too who have years of experience.
This thread itself tells you a lot about your visa queries IF you read it carefully. BTW MBBS/MD/MPH are not HIGH academic credentials!
They are the basic degrees that are essential to even be called a doctor..
you are doing a fantastic job by providing all this valuable knowledge.
i m sohil from surat...i m doin internship...this year i m giving aipge...lets c wher i stand...but i hv seen many of my seniors opting for usmle after doin internship as they say its diff to study for usmle during internship...it needs 12hrs daily study which isnt poss in internship...i m really confused what to go for....so decided lets give aipge this year then lets c...wher are u at present hv u cleared any steps of usmle???...i really want a good guidance from u...this forum has increased my knowledge...n i want to know more n more...
all the best yaar...'
do reply
so I'm preparing for aipge.but would want to get to USA.how about fellowships abroad?dont want to compromise on the branch before giving it a try.
| sheerja wrote: |
| hi! i've been facing the same dilemma since 6 mths....i want obg badly!and going by the law suit rates in the US i'm damn confused. so I'm preparing for AIPGE. but would want to get to USA.how about fellowships abroad?dont want to compromise on the branch before giving it a try. |
Sorry, i don't have much info on fellowships in Ob-Gyn.
| sheerja wrote: |
| hi! i've been facing the same dilemma since 6 mths....i want obg badly!and going by the law suit rates in the US i'm damn confused. so I'm preparing for <a href="http://www.rxpgonline.com/forum2.html">AIPGE</a>
.but would want to get to USA.how about fellowships abroad?dont want to compromise on the branch before giving it a try. |
Its very difficult to get a fellowship in Obs Gynae in the US if you have not done a residency there. Its better to apply for a residency (a 4 year course which itself is quite competitive due to less number of seats and being a surgical branch) and then go for the fellowship. These fellowships are not listed on Frieda online site. So u need to find that from some resident in the US.
i'll try to get more info on this.
i have a few queries for usmle and i m listing them below....
.1st of all the chances of gettin residency over there is tough these days...i have heard a few cases in which even after scoring above 95 in both steps they are rejected and have to come empty handed...is it true???...scores are imp for IMGS but at the same time they are also interested in research work,some clinical experience n LOR....so do v get any of these after goin ther durin step 2 CS...coz they are all plus points...for gettin a residency seat ther...i have a contact there living there from last 15 years so i can expect to get LOR somehow coz that uncle is a big architect over there and has many contacts wid docs over ther...
2.the branches that v r offered...i am not interested in surgical field...so i like internal medicine,radiology,pediatrics and psychiatry also...i guess these r the branches that they offer...of any other then please let me know...ya whats ther in family medicine???...i have no idea...and ofcourse the working n living conditions are far better than in indian hosps...technology advanced...so u can get job satisfaction maximum there...i also wanted to know that for residency which hosp they offer i mean do they offer only peripheral n rural hosp to IMGS???
3.VISA problems...very serious issue i think...do we get multiple entry visa after step1 n 2 easily...r ther any hurdles in that too???...and how to get H1B over ther...do we have to give step3 for that...or marrying a greencard holder works???...
4.i also wud like to know what are they payscales over ther in residency n also after post PG while doin job...in india its only 6k,8k and 10k in residency...also after PG for 5 yrs befoer u get a private setup u get only upto 25k to the max....
5.expenditure in preparing for usmle...including fees for different steps,travels fares,accomodation(which i have there at my very good friends home),application for residency fees,interviews fees....and many others which i mite not be knowing....so on an average how much is required for usmle???
i guess this would only be like an investment coz once we get a seat over there than its very easy to cover all expenditure in 1-2 yrs...
6.time factor---on an average how much time goes for preparin all steps then for interviews and matching...2 yrs is what i know...
7.MPH- another confusion....many people are opting for MPH n then mle....they say that if u do mph then atleast u wont come back bare handed if u dnt get a residency...but mph itself isnt that important to get a residency...is it imp???....we only waste 2 yrs and few more money in that...that is my view....but if its not so...then please guide me about mph also...how much expenditure and time goes in mph on an average...TIME and MONEY are imp factors but if one gets residency ther then he wud b earning far more than his counterpart in india...
i have all the above querries...i really need ur guidance...please help me in coming to one final decision...i will be very thankful to u if u spare some time n reply to me at the earliest...i know u must be very busy...so when ever u get free reply to me...i will be waiting for ur reply...
thank you...
all the best to u...
| sohil wrote: |
| am preparin for aipg this year but still i m very confused and my mind keeps on swinging between USMLE and AIPGE ...so i want to get some guidance from u...please help me out...coz in this present condition i m not able to prepare well for AIPGE also...both have their pros n cons...both are risky...like playin a big gamble wid ur life n career...so i m afraid at d same time...
i have a few queries for USMLE and i m listing them below.... .1st of all the chances of gettin residency over there is tough these days...i have heard a few cases in which even after scoring above 95 in both steps they are rejected and have to come empty handed...is it true???...scores are imp for IMGS but at the same time they are also interested in research work,some clinical experience n LOR....so do v get any of these after goin ther durin step 2 CS...coz they are all plus points...for gettin a residency seat ther...i have a contact there living there from last 15 years so i can expect to get LOR somehow coz that uncle is a big architect over there and has many contacts wid docs over ther... 2.the branches that v r offered...i am not interested in surgical field...so i like internal medicine,radiology,pediatrics and Psychiatry also...i guess these r the branches that they offer...of any other then please let me know...ya whats ther in family medicine???...i have no idea...and ofcourse the working n living conditions are far better than in indian hosps...technology advanced...so u can get job satisfaction maximum there...i also wanted to know that for residency which hosp they offer i mean do they offer only peripheral n rural hosp to IMGS??? 3.VISA problems...very serious issue i think...do we get multiple entry visa after step1 n 2 easily...r ther any hurdles in that too???...and how to get H1B over ther...do we have to give step3 for that...or marrying a greencard holder works???... 4.i also wud like to know what are they payscales over ther in residency n also after post PG while doin job...in india its only 6k,8k and 10k in residency...also after PG for 5 yrs befoer u get a private setup u get only upto 25k to the max.... 5.expenditure in preparing for USMLE ...including fees for different steps,travels fares,accomodation(which i have there at my very good friends home),application for residency fees,interviews fees....and many others which i mite not be knowing....so on an average how much is required for USMLE ??? i guess this would only be like an investment coz once we get a seat over there than its very easy to cover all expenditure in 1-2 yrs... 6.time factor---on an average how much time goes for preparin all steps then for interviews and matching...2 yrs is what i know... 7.MPH- another confusion....many people are opting for MPH n then mle....they say that if u do mph then atleast u wont come back bare handed if u dnt get a residency...but mph itself isnt that important to get a residency...is it imp???....we only waste 2 yrs and few more money in that...that is my view....but if its not so...then please guide me about mph also...how much expenditure and time goes in mph on an average...TIME and MONEY are imp factors but if one gets residency ther then he wud b earning far more than his counterpart in india... |
Hi Sohil, I understand your state of mind. The points you have stated have mostly been discussed in this thread and elsewhere.
But what i have realized over past couple of years is that there are two kinds of people who come to US. First, who are passionate about coming here and its their first choice. Second are the people who come for various other reasons like marriage, not being able to get a seat in India or UK or some other reason. I feel the happiest and more successful are those who come due to the former reason. Its not that the people of second time are always unhappy or do not always find good residencies. But they are more likely to burn out before reaching their goal or settle for something lesser.
What you should do is deeply think about what you want based on the objective data as well as your subjective wishes. US is a route that is very very stressful and frustrating until you don't get a residency. A large percentage of people find themselves nowhere when they're halfway through and they've already exhausted their courage. I'm writing this not to discourage you but just to make you think before you take the plunge. There are no half measures on this path. Trust me risks of AIPG are not even miles close to those of US route. You can move from AIPG to other routes but almost never from USMLE route.
That said, about your queries:
1. Apart from what i said above, scores are ONLY 50% of the war. The rest is very unpredictable and multifactorial. Contacts always work but they have to be at the right places, otherwise not of much use.
2. Read forums for it. IM is very difficult these days due to most IMGs going for it. Of course surgical specialties are always tough. Psychi, peds, FP are relatively easier. Residency is never rural, it depends on your profile and luck how good a program and place you get.
3. Right now visa is not a big risk but it can turn bad any time. You have to be prepared for that. You haven't read my thread properly, otherwise you won't have asked most of these questions. Whats the use of compiling an article if it needs to be repeated again and again. Read details of H1 vs J1 etc in the thread itself.
4. All i'll say is very high.. can't even compare with India. Read the thread on salaries.
5. PLEASE read this thread itself..
Though its highly variable.. Give or take $6000 to already stated. A single interviews may cost you $200-500 for travelling, staying etc, so if you get 20 imagine expenses compared to if you attend 2.
6. Read the thread..
7. Very contentious issue, all i can say is MPH has very small 'direct' advantage for residency. i can write an essay on how can we derive indirect advantage from it. Personally i'm not much in favour of GRE route.
Last of all be very well informed. Their are many views on every issue, one or more may be correct. God help you in your decision.
i also wanted to ask is that if i apply to usmle directly then i will apply for visas for comin to give step2CS so do they give visas easily on the basis of step1 n step2CK...if they give then for how much duration??? coz one of my seniors told that they may give only for 6 months than its difficult to give step2 CS then to do some externship/observership n to give interviews...i heard that they give for 10yrs multientry visa...so please give some information about this...
n ya i belong to both the categories of people who want to give usmle as u mentioned...i have a lot of passion to come ther n also some1 is waiting for me there...only thing i m afraid about is after wasting so much money n time if i dnt get residency then....tats what compels me to think so much..n i get confused all the time...
| sohil wrote: |
| thanx a lot 4 replyin...u r doin a great job here...u donno u have made urself so many well wishers...that whatever u desire ull achieve in life...all d best to u...
i also wanted to ask is that if i apply to directly then i will apply for visas for comin to give step2CS so do they give visas easily on the basis of step1 n step2CK...if they give then for how much duration??? coz one of my seniors told that they may give only for 6 months than its difficult to give step2 CS then to do some externship/observership n to give interviews...i heard that they give for 10yrs multientry visa...so please give some information about this... n ya i belong to both the categories of people who want to give as u mentioned...i have a lot of passion to come ther n also some1 is waiting for me there...only thing i m afraid about is after wasting so much money n time if i dnt get residency then....tats what compels me to think so much..n i get confused all the time... |
Thanks for your kind words, accept my good wishes for your career too.
Your Q is again complicated. Ideally both step scores increase your chances of visa but many get it with one score. I got 10 yr ME with one score and CK appeared (score not reported by that time). Of course a Multi Entry visa is desirable but this is something not under our control. Noone can be sure of what they'll get, it varies a lot. I got 10yrME and the very next day 1 got rejected and another got 6mos single entry!! Thats pure luck so its not much use worrying about it.
I hope you reach the decision that is right for you. if you'll get a GC, you won't have to worry about visa and you'll have a much better chance at residency too. I feel self belief and patience are one of the most important virtues, specially on US route. Its getting very very competitive these days so, work hard, be informed, score well, and get all other factors right you'll certainly have a fair chance at getting a residency. Most people who can do that get a residency in their first attempt or at the most 2nd attempt.
Good luck!
is getting the visa the only problem for getting a residency after usmle?
i mean are seats given as per quota for foreign graduates or is it a open competion?
i was under the impression that only 3% of seats are reserved for foreign graduates n that to foreigners who have done under grad in the us are preffered
also i am interested in gen surg
could anybody pls guide
thanks!
| jaxx wrote: |
| hi. i am from and in india. i have done my mbbs here and am studying for aipg.
is getting the visa the only problem for getting a residency after USMLE? i mean are seats given as per quota for foreign graduates or is it a open competion? i was under the impression that only 3% of seats are reserved for foreign graduates n that to foreigners who have done under grad in the us are preffered also i am interested in gen surg could anybody pls guide thanks! |
Jaxx you seem grossly under-informed. You need to spend some time on the forums. Go through the FAQs and the Hot topics and you'll know everything.. There is nothing like a reservation for FMGs in US. Its an open competition but without doubt US grads are preferred over us.
keep up d gud work!
til recntly i ws al 4 AIPGE. nw i hv bn toyin wid dis US ka idea....quite a fw of ma seniors r in d states...sum via d GRE route & fw directly....
Nywz,thnx once again 4 d thread...ll hlp me in decidng.
d only factor tat bothers me is d patience & time reqd.....bt on a 2nd thought-most f us ll nywy hv 2 repeat ---d verdict...NO SHORTCUTS 2 patience & wastin time...! + put a red cherry(irony intended)...2 yrs of internship.....exactly as v say in Marathi- Dushkalat Terrava Mahina!
Keep up d gudwork....!
| doczest wrote: |
| Quite an informative thread.thnx 4 d same.
keep up d gud work! til recntly i ws al 4 <a href="http://www.rxpgonline.com/forum2.html">AIPGE</a> . nw i hv bn toyin wid dis US ka idea....quite a fw of ma seniors r in d states...sum via d <a href="http://www.rxpgonline.com/forum24.html">GRE</a> route & fw directly.... Nywz,thnx once again 4 d thread...ll hlp me in decidng. d only factor tat bothers me is d patience & time reqd.....bt on a 2nd thought-most f us ll nywy hv 2 repeat ---d verdict...NO SHORTCUTS 2 patience & wastin time...! + put a red cherry(irony intended)...2 yrs of internship.....exactly as v say in Marathi- Dushkalat Terrava Mahina! Keep up d gudwork....! |
I understand the horror of a two years of internship! But tell you what, it would be a little less tough on US bound, because many already spend 1-1.5 years after graduation in the process before they get ECFMG certified.
1. total expenditure (investment) for usmle is around Rs 5-6 lakhs, its impossible to get a pg seat for 6 lakhs in india.
2. u start earning from residency itself which is very difficult in india
3. post pg period is quite unstable
I am not worrying about the visa issue coz ill be marrying a US citizen girl so she'll sponsor my visa, and while applying for residency the hospital doesnt want ne visa hassles so i have prevented their visa hassle.
now i have a doubt. is joining kaplan in india useful? i want to know what is the way of teaching at kaplan (the chopras). r we allowed to take their dvd's home?
pls guide me. thank u.
| drfuzz wrote: |
| .... aipgee is quite competetive,... |
Just my 2 cents.. Competitiveness of a US residency is out of bounds. You'll know with time.
| AshB wrote: | ||
Just my 2 cents.. Competitiveness of a US residency is out of bounds. You'll know with time. |
i think it was you who first said that usmle is easier than aipgee. u said this at the start of this thread
| drfuzz wrote: | ||||
i think it was you who first said that USMLE is easier than aipgee. u said this at the start of this thread |
I know very well what i wrote. This is what i said early in this thread.. "12. Exam itself – Well MLE is definitely easier than AIPG."
And read my current statement again.. "Competitiveness of a US residency is out of bounds." Now if you think just clearing USMLE exam gets you a residency, you need much more info. And if you know that, you need to read my lines again to see what i meant.
I saw that you have posted in Coaching thread which contains answers to all your question. Kindly understand that its difficult for anybody to keep repeating already discussed info.
can u tell me does marrying an american really help in getting into residency coz im saving their headache of providing me h1b or j1 visa.
| drfuzz wrote: |
| hi ashb and others. i hv a query. can u tell me which r the months/ dates during which less candidates appear for <a href="http://www.rxpgonline.com/forum5.html">USMLE</a>
. well if the no of appearing candidates r less then we'll get hi percentile. so i want to know during which months the no of candidates appearing will be less. |
I don't think less examinees implies higher percentile. Still the peak months are May to Nov or Dec i guess. I'm not sure which are the months with least number of examinees.
| Quote: |
| can u tell me does marrying an american really help in getting into residency coz im saving their headache of providing me h1b or j1 visa. |
@Ash B
You left "drfuzz" query unanswered. It is a quality question.
@drfuzz
Regarding your idea of marrying an American hot chick. Go ahead but before CSA b'coz processing of Visa etc. takes time.
All times are GMT + 5.5 Hours