11-14-2009, 12:52 PM
As an IMG, you™ll need to convince program directors that you are as attractive a candidate as an applicant who was educated in the U.S. What strengths has your background developed within you? Your history has made you the physician you are: learn to recognize your talents, and learn how to sell them to a program director. Did your struggle to attend medical school in a country where a high school diploma is uncommon strengthen your commitment to medicine? Has practicing in a third-world country with limited facilities helped you learn to rely on your medical knowledge? Has your move to a new country helped you learn to relate to a variety of peoples and cultures? Let your interviewer know how your experiences strengthen you as a candidate!
That said, you do need to recognize the fact that many program directors are wary of accepting IMGs into their programs. In addition to selling your background, you need to do all that you can to put your credentials on par with those of U.S.-educated applicants. It is vital that you have clinical experience in the U.S. before you apply to a residency program. US clinical experience, or USCE, will show a program director that you have what it takes to successfully practice medicine in the U.S. It will show the program director that you are familiar enough with the U.S. medical system and culture to make it in his program, and that you are able to successfully integrate your medical knowledge and background into a U.S. program.
But not all USCE is created the same. Before you accept an internship, externship, or observership, ask the director these vital questions:
++ WILL I RECEIVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE? An observership where you are not give the opportunity to actually examine and treat patients will not impress program directors.
++ IS THE PROGRAM BASED IN A TEACHING SETTING?
++ WILL I RECEIVE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION? Program directors will not only want to know if you have USCE, they™ll want to know if you have successful USCE. They™ll need a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or attending to allow them to assess your competence?
++ WILL I RECEIVE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE?
Do you need more USCE to strengthen your application? Call our toll-free number, or visit our website at www.imgprep.com to learn more about our externship opportunities. Remember, at IMGPrep, your success is our only goal: we won™t sell you packages that you don™t need, nor will we make promises we can™t fulfill. Call for a free consultation today to get started. 1-866-376-0094.
That said, you do need to recognize the fact that many program directors are wary of accepting IMGs into their programs. In addition to selling your background, you need to do all that you can to put your credentials on par with those of U.S.-educated applicants. It is vital that you have clinical experience in the U.S. before you apply to a residency program. US clinical experience, or USCE, will show a program director that you have what it takes to successfully practice medicine in the U.S. It will show the program director that you are familiar enough with the U.S. medical system and culture to make it in his program, and that you are able to successfully integrate your medical knowledge and background into a U.S. program.
But not all USCE is created the same. Before you accept an internship, externship, or observership, ask the director these vital questions:
++ WILL I RECEIVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE? An observership where you are not give the opportunity to actually examine and treat patients will not impress program directors.
++ IS THE PROGRAM BASED IN A TEACHING SETTING?
++ WILL I RECEIVE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION? Program directors will not only want to know if you have USCE, they™ll want to know if you have successful USCE. They™ll need a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or attending to allow them to assess your competence?
++ WILL I RECEIVE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE?
Do you need more USCE to strengthen your application? Call our toll-free number, or visit our website at www.imgprep.com to learn more about our externship opportunities. Remember, at IMGPrep, your success is our only goal: we won™t sell you packages that you don™t need, nor will we make promises we can™t fulfill. Call for a free consultation today to get started. 1-866-376-0094.