1. Pick your desired residency (internal medicine, surgery, radiology etc.)
2. Send away for an ERAS
(Electronic Residency Application System) application
3. Research your destination hospitals (see AMA's
FREIDA online)
4. Complete and dispatch the ERAS application to ECFMG
5. Register as an independent applicant with the
National Residency Matching Program.
6. Watch the Automated Document Tracking System
(ADTS) for the
progress of your ERAS submission
7. Call/e-mail the hospitals that have received your ERAS application, and ask
about interview schedules. Request early decisions based on your need to
complete international travel
8. Attend for your interviews
9. Rank your favorite programs in NRMP's ROL (rank order list)
10. Submit your rank order list by internet to the
National Residency Matching Program
11. While awaiting the match results, research your visa options and send for
the licensing application packs for the states that you feel most likely to
match with.
12. Obtain your match results (or enter the scramble if unmatched)
13. Sign and return your contract
14. If immigrating on a J1 visa, get the DS2019 form from ECFMG and apply
through your local consulate. If immigrating on a H-visa, you'll need to get
your state license completed first (requires your ECFMG certificate and a copy
of the signed contract with the hospital)
15. Organize accommodation, flights, cargo etc.
The USMLEs (United States Medical Licensing
Examinations) are a set of medical exams designed to evaluate your readiness to
safely enter the American medical system. The organisation that watches over the
application of foreign nationals to the American Medical system is the
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates) and they administer the USMLEs outside of the USA.
USMLE are multiple choice exams that are now only held on computer. There are
three parts, or steps, to completing the USMLE exams. The computers that you can
take them are available in a large number of cities across the world on every
working day of the year - you register with the ECFMG who administer the test
internationally, and reserve a place at your local centre for a time when you
feel ready to take the examination. Your nearest site can be found
here.
The first part, USMLE step 1, is a multiple choice exam consisting of about 300 questions taken over eight hours in one day at the test center. The step 1 covers all of the basic sciences - Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, statistics, Behavioural science, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, ethics - and it is typically taken in the first half of the medical school curriculum at a time when these subjects have been covered. Scores are reported as two digit (NOT %) and three digit scores. The percentage required to pass is determined based not on a population curve, but on the relative difficulty of the items as determined by the test committee. That pass % is then set as being equal to a two digit score of 75. The mean three digit score is 200. Many programs look for two digit scores of at least 80-85 for entry. 66% of international medical graduates pass this exam with each sitting, while 91% of US medical students do.
The second part was recently divided into two parts, USMLE step 2ck (clinical knowledge) and USMLE step 2cs (clinical skills). USMLE step 2 ck+cs is the examination that American medical students take before being allowed to graduate from medical school. USMLE step 2ck consists of a similar one day computer based examination, and covers all of the clinical sciences including medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, forensics, emergency care, ENT, ophthalmology, tropical health, ethics. It is usually taken in the final year of medical school, or beyond. 75% of international medical graduates/students pass this on first sitting, while 95% of american medical students do.
The USMLE Step 2cs examination is a newer requirement for ECFMG
certification. The USMLE
step 2cs is an expensive ($1200) examination is held in only a few American
cities throughout the year. It brings examinees face-to-face with ten simulated
('standardized') patients - ie actors pretending to have specific complaints.
You are tested on your ability to rapidly assess a patient, communicate your
thoughts to them, and to write a note about your assessment and plans.
Application is presently through the ECFMG only. As of November 2002 (when the
exam was called the CSA), the pass rate was 80%, with 60% of failures being due
to language difficulties. As a result of this new examination, the TOEFL will no
longer be required. However the USMLE step 2cs will have an expiry date for the
first time.
USMLE step 3 (application on FSMB) is taken by American students during their residency program within a year or so of graduation. International students only need to take the USMLE part 3 if they plan to immigrate on a H-1B visa (recommended over a J-1). This exam is only given in the United States, requiring you to travel here to take it. Also, only a few states (California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New York, Utah, or West Virginia) allow you to take the part 3 in their jurisdiction without being in an American residency program. It is largely similar in scope to the USMLE step 2 with more emphasis on practical management. The computerized test can be taken geographically in any US state at a testing center as long as you are sitting the test FOR Connecticut or New York. Application is through the state medical board. This means you can take the test in New Jersey having applied to the state medical board of Connecticut, and having passed the exam, use that result to start residency in Massachusetts.
The English Examination is not run by ECFMG any longer. If you have taken
the CSA you will be required to take a TOEFL (test of english as a foreign
language) examination. If you take the USMLE step 2cs, you do not have to take
an additional english examination. The TOEFL is run in most countries by the
Educational Testing Service. Click
here for more information on the
TOEFL examination.
This sounds straightforward but can be unexpectedly time consuming. The
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates) certificate is a document proving that you have fulfilled the
education requirements needed to practice medicine in the USA.
The Necessary components are to have
1. - your medical degree and transcript verified by ECFMG (can take a long
time)
2. - passed USMLE 1 and 2ck
3. - passed the clinical skills assessment (or step 2cs)
4. - passed a TOEFL english examination (or step 2cs)
5. - paid ECFMG in full
All of these components must be valid at the time when you apply for final
certification. This certificate testifies to the fact that you have fulfilled
the requirements for entry into clinical training in the USA.
Remember that the ECFMG certificate is only valid as long as its components (eg
USMLE step 1) remain valid; each component has an expiry date. Your ECFMG
certificate must be VALID when you apply for a visa or start your training. The
english examination component expires after two years. Remember that if you have
to revalidate your english test, the results of a repeat english examination
will take some time to be processed to revalidate your certificate (this delayed
my visa application).
The electronic residency application system
(ERAS) is a method of centralised,
computerised application for residency. After you have paid the required
application fee and requested a 'Token' via the On-line Applicant Status and
Information System (OASIS), ECFMG will send a unique identification number ('a
Token') by e-mail. This Token will permit the applicant to access the AAMC's
ERAS website to complete his/her ERAS application on-line. Simultaneously,
you'll have to mail photocopies of your supporting documents to ECFMG. On this
online site you have to
a. enter your personal details in a standardized curriculum vitae
b. enter a personal statement
c. designate the residency programs you wish to have your application sent to.
The supporting documents that you have send in the mail include
1. your photograph
2. your examination transcript and
3. your letters of reference
4. your dean's letter /medical
student performance evaluation
Foreign medical graduates send these paper items to the ECFMG who act as your
"dean's office". They scan your paper documents and photo, match it to your
online application items and e-mail the lot to the residency programs you
selected. You can select up to four letters of recommendation to each program.
You can follow this process on the Automated Document Tracking System
(ADTS) which allows you to
see when your application documents are downloaded by the residency programs.
ERAS, the
ADTS and the
NRMP are all run my the
AAMC (American Association of Medical
Colleges). You should complete all of the ERAS application procedures as soon
as possible, but by December 1st in your year of application at the latest.
The question of where to apply is frequently asked. Almost all hospitals
will take the best applicants they can get, no matter their origin. There is
therefore no such thing as 'FMG friendly' hospitals, only hospitals that cannot
recruit american graduates, and have a preponderance of FMGs working there. You
would do well to try and avoid such institutions since there is often a reason
that they are deserted by American grads. If you do want to find such places,
you can find them listed in the unfilled list at
scutwork.com. The best advice is to
discuss your plans with colleagues who know your field, and get their advice
about where you would best be suited. You can use resources on AMA's
FREIDA online to narrow your
search, and obtain contact information.
The most difficult part in your application will be securing an interview.
Many program directors find it difficult to evaluate foreign graduates, so are
reluctant to make the effort to interview them: there is certainly little doubt
that there is substantial variablility in the quality of graduates from
disparate medical schools.
There are no guaranteed methods to getting an interview at any of the top
hospitals. However you can increase your chances by
- doing an elective
- getting good USMLE scores
- doing well in your own medical school
- having very strong letters of reference ffrom your dean and referees
Never assume that your application is actually being reviewed by the hospital
you applied to. Make sure you get in touch with the program coordinator after
you have seen them download your items from ERAS, asking when you can expect to
hear about whether you will be given an interview. All program directors are
listed in the AMA green book, and online at
FREIDA. It is true that planning
international travel is more complicated than local travel, so you really will
benefit from an early decision. If you do get an interview, you should be able
to negotiate a day that works in your interviewing schedule, but this can be
variable.
The interview day itself usually starts the night before, where you'll be hosted
to a casual dinner with members of that residency. This is where you get to ask
all the hard questions about what life is really like working in that hospital
and program. Many residency programs do look for feedback from those who have
met you at these dinners, so be on your best behavior.
The actual interview day will usually involve hearing a presentation about the
program, going to morning report/conference, and then meeting individually with
some of the selection committee during the day. You may not be scheduled to meet
with the program director themself, but it is worth asking (given you have
travelled so far) to meet directly with them at the end of the day, to find out
how you got on, and whether you're in with a good chance at this program.
Do follow up with the program director by email or letter after you have left to
solidify your intent or interest.
The Match is a centralised computer program that matches a physician's
highest ranked residency program with a hospital that ranks them highly.
It is organised by the National Residency Matching Program
(NRMP) . Not all of the available spots are
listed in the Match, and some of the more competitive specialities participate
only in the "Early Match". See the NRMP site for more information. As an
international applicant, you must register as an 'independent applicant' before
December 1st of your year of application at the latest
What happens in the Match is .....
(1) You apply to the programs in the hospitals that interest you
(2) those programs that are interested in you will invite you for an interview
(3) after the interview, the hospital ranks you among all those they've
interviewed
(4) After all your interviews, you rank the programs that you want and
(5) on a certain date in March, all of these preferences are chewed on by a
computer and the hospitals are matched with the applicants.
Those that do not 'Match' are notified two days before the official results
and can participate in the 'Scramble' where unmatched physicians contact
unmatched residency programs by phone and fax in an attempt to find jobs. You
can find the list of programs that failed to fill all of their positions at
scutwork.com or click
here . For more info on the scramble process click
HERE.
You will optimise your chances of matching by...
(1) Being organised and ready
(2) having good grades, USMLE scores and references
(3) performing well at interview
(4) having done an elective at the hospital you're applying to
(5) knowing about your visa plans
Residencies can fill their positions in the match, before the match, or in a
brief 'scramble' after the match. On the Monday of match week before the
specific match results are available (always a Thursday), unmatched applicants
and
unfilled programs are told (by email) that they did not match/fill, and the
listing of unfilled programs is released. Unmatched applicants then have those
next three days to convince program directors of unfilled programs that they are
the right candidate to fill that job. Most use faxes, and phonecalls since
program directors are usually so overwhelmed as to ignore email.
You can obtain a position before the match too. This happens when programs are
sufficiently impressed with you (or sufficiently desperate for applicants) that
in the days or weeks after the interview, they offer you a position directly,
providing you agree to withdraw from the match right there and then, and sign
the paperwork. This works well for less competitive candidates who are very
unsure about their potential to match through the ranking process, and are happy
with the offer.
After you've successfully matched you need to secure your medical license and your visa. The medical license is specific to the state of your employing hospital. Information on contacting the state medical boards is included in the USMLE/ECFMG Bulletin of Information, and is also located at the Federation of State Medical Boards Web Page. States differ significantly on their processing times and requirements for licensure. You should check out the details, including requirements for USMLE 3 eligibility at the AMA GME handbook . (contact your residency program for further details)
Doctors who have graduated from foreign medical schools seeking U.S.
residency training (who do not qualify for permanent resident status in the
U.S.) usually seek either of two visas from the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS), the J-1 or the H-1B visas. Several recent events affect the use
of those two visas by foreign graduates.
7A. The J-visa
The J-1 non-immigrant visa permits completion of an accredited residency or
fellowship program of up to seven years duration which leads to board
certification. Following this, the resident *must* return to his/her
native country or country of last residence for a period of at least two
years. ECFMG issues a form called a DS2019 which tells the consulate that you
are eligible to enter the US. The American consulate in your own country will
decide whether to issue the visa.
Your governmental health office must sign a document indicating the need in your
home country for physicians trained in your prospective speciality. Occasionally
(this is often an issue for Canadians) the country does not recognize a need for
residents in a particular area and refuses to issue the form, but for most it is
a simple formality. J-1 visa applications are usually processed quickly, though
some countries have a longer processing time due in part to the events of Sept
11, 2001.
It is important to note that coming to the US on a J-1 visa absolutely limits
you to staying here only until the completion of any training (be that six
months or five years) up to a MAXIMUM of seven years. This is a training visa,
so you cannot use to practice independently as an attending. If you think there
is a chance that you would like the opportunity to stay in the USA after your
training, you should take the USMLE 3 and come on a H1B visa.
There are four ways to stay in the US on a 'waiver' of this two year home
residency requirement. For most, the only practical way to avoid having to
return to your home country is to agree to practice in an underserved area for
three years after you have completed your training. These positions are
competitive and the competition for them is expensive. Again,
please consider coming on a H1B visa to avoid these problems.
7B. The H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa allows the prospective trainee to avoid the J-1 visa requirement
to leave the U.S. for two years by petitioning for permanent resident status in
the U.S. while in residency training. An applicant for an H-1B visa must be
(1) ECFMG certified (ie have passed USMLE 1, 2ck and 2cs);
(2) must have ALSO passed USMLE step 3 AND
(3) must hold a license to practice in a U.S. state before application (it takes
about three weeks to get a training license after your match).
Residency programs decide individually which type of visa they will support for their candidates for residency training. Previously most did NOT support H-1b applications, although the new visa laws passed in October 2000 mean that now many that previously did not offer them should do so. You should ask your programs directly which they will consider for you. Remember that many have the default position of refusing such visas (and even note such decisions on residency and hospital websites), but if you learn about them, and talk to the international officers at these institutions, many will reverse their decision and apply for this visa on your behalf.
Currently all academic institutions have
unrestricted access to H1B visas, without a cap. This means that your H1B visa
is likely to be easily available, and processed quickly (though some can still
take up to six months). A standard H1b application can still takes about 2-3
months for processing, so to be ready for a July 1st start, you have to be quick
about your license and your visa application right after you match, unless you use expedited processing
which can
be achieved by paying an extra $1000 , and the visa will be approved within
approx 14 days.
You will have to think carefully about which visa is right for you. Note that the Match takes place in mid-March, and for a July start you would likely have only a short time to secure a state medical license and submit your H-1B visa application.
Some good visa sites for physicians are as follows:
Here is an overview of the process
Many residency programs look for letters of recommendation from American physicians when reviewing applications. Medical students can get these when they are on electives in US hospitals. It is harder for those who already have their medical degree, since observerships are much less developed than electives.
If you are thinking of trying to come and experience American medical practice as an observer for a few weeks, the best thing to do is to contact the departmental head of your preferred specialty at a hospital that interests you. Your letter should contain an introduction about you, and go on to explain what you hope to achieve by spending time in an American Hospital. You could talk about exploring differences in educational strategies, in medical practice, or system organization. I would not specifically allude to objectives such as getting letters of recommendation or applying to residency. Assure the departmental head that you will obtain your own liability insurance. You should include a copy of your curriculum vitae and a photo. If possible, use contacts from home. If you don't hear back, make personal contact with email or telephone.
This is a tough question and there is no "right" answer. What is certain is that if you want to get registered with the Board of the Speciality that interests you, you must do all your training from PGY-1 (post-graduate year one) to speciality in the USA. So for example if you aspire to cardiology and be able to practice as a cardiologist in the USA you must spend 3 years of Internal Medicine Residency followed by 4 years of Cardiology Fellowship. While you can do your basic medical training in your home country and join a US fellowship, you will not be able then to practice as a Cardiologist, as you cannot be 'board certified' without completing a residency first. The point to remember is that if you just want to spend 4 years training in the USA, you can just go over for a fellowship - while if you want to practice in the USA you have to go over for the whole lot.