Timing your US Clinical Experience for the Residency Match |
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Securing a US Clinical Rotation is one thing , and getting then done in time to give your residency application the edge is another issue.
Here are the scenarios that could happen in your case, in decreasing order of preference:
1. Since applications must be sent in September for the Match in the subsequent year - it makes logical sense to have US Clinical Experience (Observerships, Externships, Electives, etc.) on your Application BEFORE that, since having such experiences is often on the initial screening criteria for residency programs. It's even better to complete your experience so that you get those US Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
2. The second preferred scenario is having the rotations started by the time you are applying - coz' you can still mention the experience as ONGOING on your application
3. Next, for some, it maybe possible that the rotations get fixed for a time after September, but before applying. In this case, you may mention that experience on your application, putting a future date.
4. Finally, if any opportunities come up AFTER you applied to residencies, take them up by all means - and you though you CANNOT update your application once you sent it, you are free to send emails to all the programs you applied to, giving them an 'application update' and mentioning to them about the rotation that you managed to secure.
Notes:
a. It takes time, patience and constant effort to secure these rotations, hence it makes sense to start emailing / calling prospective hospitals/programs much in advance - once someone responds, you can always schedule it for a convenient time. For example, many IMGs time their tests so that they complete Step 1 and Step 2 CK right before the September deadline - and then apply for USCEs - which only means the USCE
b. If you get Letters of Recommendation after your applications are sent, you can still send them to ERAS and they will scan it for you, but most programs may not download the latest Letter automatically, you will need to send emails to the applied programs or call up the program coordinator mentioning the new letter.
Summers are high traffic times for such experiences
Google keywords to this blog article:
- "ideal schedule for externships and observerships IMGs"
- "when is the best time to do observerships"
Here are the scenarios that could happen in your case, in decreasing order of preference:
1. Since applications must be sent in September for the Match in the subsequent year - it makes logical sense to have US Clinical Experience (Observerships, Externships, Electives, etc.) on your Application BEFORE that, since having such experiences is often on the initial screening criteria for residency programs. It's even better to complete your experience so that you get those US Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
2. The second preferred scenario is having the rotations started by the time you are applying - coz' you can still mention the experience as ONGOING on your application
3. Next, for some, it maybe possible that the rotations get fixed for a time after September, but before applying. In this case, you may mention that experience on your application, putting a future date.
4. Finally, if any opportunities come up AFTER you applied to residencies, take them up by all means - and you though you CANNOT update your application once you sent it, you are free to send emails to all the programs you applied to, giving them an 'application update' and mentioning to them about the rotation that you managed to secure.
Notes:
a. It takes time, patience and constant effort to secure these rotations, hence it makes sense to start emailing / calling prospective hospitals/programs much in advance - once someone responds, you can always schedule it for a convenient time. For example, many IMGs time their tests so that they complete Step 1 and Step 2 CK right before the September deadline - and then apply for USCEs - which only means the USCE
b. If you get Letters of Recommendation after your applications are sent, you can still send them to ERAS and they will scan it for you, but most programs may not download the latest Letter automatically, you will need to send emails to the applied programs or call up the program coordinator mentioning the new letter.
Summers are high traffic times for such experiences
Google keywords to this blog article:
- "ideal schedule for externships and observerships IMGs"
- "when is the best time to do observerships"
posted by Digitaldoc, MD at
3:29 PM
4 Comments:
Anonymous said...
i am a 3ry yaer MBBS student in india.can u plz tell me at wht time should i start sending application to the medical school for clerkships? is it during the 4th year(the year before my internship)? or during my internship? by wht time earliest can i send my application?
3:54 AM
Digitaldoc, MD said...
It implies the 4th Academic year - during your medical school internship year... Start contacting towards the end of your 3rd academic year
10:51 AM
Anonymous said...
HOW MANY MONTHS BEFORE MY 3RD ACADEMIC YR SHOULD I START CONTACTING THEM?
8:11 AM
Digitaldoc, MD said...
Programs differ in their requirements - so start contacting them maybe in the later half of the third year, - am not saying apply online , but to contact via email/phone to know their latest requirements and eligibility criteria
9:54 AM
Dr.Sam said...
Hi doc,
I'd be appearing for my step 2 cs in the last week of august..and will be starting an externship from the 1st of September...
what I wanted to know is that should i apply on sept 1st to all the programs or should I awit till the mid of september..by when I could persuade the doctor to give me a LOR and then apply with the US LOR?
Please do reply..thank you....
10:23 PM
Digitaldoc, MD said...
Normally the LOR would come to you after you complete your externship term, but you try requesting after 2.5 to 3 weeks to see.
You surely should to apply to prematch offering programs on the 1st Sept. Date at least - the others too I don't see a benefit with a little later application since your CS score will take at least 8 to 12 weeks to come by and since you can always mail the LOR later and email all programs about it. (personal calls from your Externship mentor will also be a plus)
10:31 PM
Harshal Awasthi said...
hello DigiDoc,
Let me tell u firstly that u r like a messiah for FMGs.pls solve my query, i wished to know how whether the USCE programs(ones we need to do during internship) require the candidate to have cleared usmle step 1. And wht abt the observership - do they require prior ECFMG certification?
I am also messed up abt how to time my USCE, i have cleared usmle step 1, and am planning to give step 2 ck at the end of this acedmic yr.Then there is step 2 cs, my internship will start in march 2008. Pls help and advise.
Thanks a lot!
9:48 AM
Digitaldoc, MD said...
Many clerkships do need USMLE Step 1 at least, but keep checking on the requirements when you contact them. Observerships generally do not require ECFMG certifications - but most externships will need that.
Step 2 Ck needs clinical orientation to be smoother to study for - keep that in mind when you study for that, so maybe a few months down the internship maybe a good time to take it..the same goes for Step 2 CS.
9:33 PM
Hi,
Thanks for running this site so uptodate! I have a ques related to these situations,..if i secure an observership in july/aug/ and get the LOR by aug end will it get into the system in time for sept 1?
And if it doesnt do i send the applications with other LORs from india,..and then add more LOR as they get scanned or there is no way to change them,...i can only apply to new programmes with the new letters?
Hi, to get the documents in the system for applying on Sept. 1, they should ideally reach ERAS for scanning by 1st of August. I have covered tips for candidates who get their LORs later or After Applying on the Tips4Match Blog - Click here
Please keep in mind that there is not room enough for everyone requesting an observer rotation to have it before interview season begins. It is definitely on a first-come, first-served basis, and begging or harrassing the coordinator to make an exception for you will NOT improve your chances of being interviewed!
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