Question Yourself before Chosing USMLE !

Hi Friends I wanted to post a blog on how USMLE can be
The questions you must ask to urself before coming to US or taking USMLE.....

First let me clarify that USMLE is a longer process than expected. It takes years to get into the system.Its money consuming and it tests ur patience.you will be facing lot of hurdles and there will be moments of despair and loneliness and deserted feeling.i am not scaring u its the truth.The competition is that severe.The people coming here are not just the graduates of foreign med school.Some people are even taking MPH or certain other courses just for the sake of getting residency.There is no genuine reason behind doing MPH(Master's in Public Health) 'cuz they r not gonna continue it as their career anyway.But being in US with legal status to work, some of them are doing research and even having publications.Also for being here,they r learning the culture of this country which helps them get absorbed in to this system quickly.So,that shows the level of competition.I don't suggest u do F1 courses.But they have some edge over ordinary IMG's.Of course u can work as a volunteer in any research with your Non-Immigrant visa too (Like B1/B2) but the chances r slim.
The questions U shud ask to urself are :

1. Are you academecially bright or hard woker to get good score?'cuz score bring you interviews and ur communication skills help u get selected in the interview
2. Are you financially sound?-Its gonna cost you a ton - Can be upto a maximum of $25000
3. Do u have relatives here in US? They will help u for food shelter and may get you some observership or even recommendation?!
4. Are you patient enough? - It takes years as I said atlest 1-2 years and as you know its a once an yearly process and the interview process it self takes 6months
5. Do you have moral support? As I said some times u get lost in this alien country....so u need good friend it can be your spouce or some one who can give u very good advices..
6. Do you have good communication skills?- I mean if you r shy U cannot go anywhere / do any thing in this country.Apart from that getting into residency requires this vital skill...thats what make you get selected for the interview...

Hope This Helps....!

Pavan

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Strategy for The Match -2009

So when put together all of the things in a time line fashion...FOr example if u would like to apply for Residency Match-2009...

U shud be..

Registered With ECFMG to get ECFMG/USMLE ID-Takes Upto 7days sometimes

Applied For Step1 in October2007 for the slot november-Jan

Took exam In December2007

Apply for Step2 CK and CS For the Slot Feb -April (For CS its 1year slot) in January2008-Send CIN form(Form 186 with Medical credentials if u Get diploma by that time)

Verification is almost 2 month process ..Mean while prepare for nex exam..

(Read the Blog on Credential Verification By Dr D HERE)

Took exam in March/April2008

Start process for Visa in April/May2008

Apply for and attend Visa Interview In MAY2008

Start to US and Take Step2CS Exam in June/ by July5th 2008

Gather LOR's ,Pay ERAS token fee(75$) and get AAMC ID-July1st/August 2008(Myeras opens o July1st)

Send documents thru post (U may even send early !) Between July1st- August1st 2008..

August is the main month Prepare the IMG friendly lists/Gather the Programs u like,Prepare Personal statement,Prepare CV add colours and essenses to it...

Dont Submit CAF ("Common application form" until u feel its complete) -'coz once u submit it it's locked...And it reflects ur Entire Qualifications,etc.,

Apply to Programs u like On the Night of August31-2008 after 12PM

And assign LOR's to atleast one programs 'coz they wont appear even If they r scanned unless they were assigned...

And from there to see the time line go to my blog..

Mean while dont forget to apply for Observerships/Externships 'coz they take long time to get a chance and they r a plus to ur CV..

I hope Most of u are already in the Middle of this path...And GL to all of u !

ERAS Calender for the Match-2009

Date	Activity
May 2008	ERAS 2009 Applicant Manuals will be available for PDF download by chapter or in its entirety on our Web site. Schools may begin to generate and distribute MyERAS tokens to applicants.
July 1, 2008	MyERAS Web site opens to applicants to begin working on their applications. Osteopathic applicants may begin selecting and applying to osteopathic training programs only.
July 15, 2008	Osteopathic training programs can begin contacting the ERAS PostOffice to download application files.
September 1, 2008	Applicants may begin applying to ACGME accredited programs. ACGME accredited programs may begin contacting the ERAS PostOffice to download application files.
November 1, 2008	MSPEs are released to ACGME accredited programs.
December 2008	Military Match
January 2009	Urology Match
February 2009	Osteopathic Match
March 2009	NRMP Match results will be available.
May 31, 2009	ERAS PostOffice will close to prepare for the 2010 season.

(Data obtained from ERAS Website.. Go the Original Page ...HERE)

With Regards

Dr Pavan

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