Re: Help please????
TheOne - 02-05-08 16:34

1- If you think you can work at these hospitals then go for it. You don't want to spend 3 or 4 misrable years for a wrong choice.

2- Rank according to your preference, put the prelim surgical year as the last option.

3- It wouldn't harm your application next year, I know a friend of mine that saw lotsa PGY-1 surgical residents (Prlimers) who were interviewing for an IM residncy. You're right, it's hard to get into a Categ. surgery after a prelim one, espicially for IMG's.

Re: Help please????
drnaeem - 02-05-08 18:18

Thanks for theone for the quick answer! Regarding the bad 3 hospitals: I can work at but it is a week training programs. I am sort of confused because if i didnt rank them i am afraid not to get any thing from the other 12 hospitals and i will end with no match. and if i ranked them their is a possiblity to get in. so this is the case?

Re: Help please????
sanya222 - 02-05-08 19:37

1.It is difficult sometime to understand what is good or what is bad...in time when you will know more about these program, where you are not really sure now---your opinion can be completelly different and even very good. I would rang these programs..why? You can not be 100% sure you are right for very confusing conclusion.
2. Rank your list as you really think your choice is the first, and then others... then no regrets you did deliberatelly something wrong... be positive where you are staying!!!!
3.After finishing one year in preliminary in surgery, year in this program has to help you receive a categorical surgery, one more time be positive and work towards your goal.

Re: Help please????
TheOne - 02-06-08 00:15



Remember that you have a good chance among the other 12 programs so rank them first then rank the worst 3. Keep in your mind that there are so many candidates ended with no interviews, so think smart and rank all your interviewed programs with good luck.

Re: Help please????
radhamesramos - 02-12-08 14:30

yes, rank them according to your preferences...and good luck

Re: Help please????
mindswapper - 02-14-08 11:27

"three of the hospitals are really really not good."

Then why did you apply in the first place?
Why did u i/v there?

U are spoiling somebody else's chances when u have NO intention of going there! U cud have researched earlier abt those programs and somebody else wud have had his chance; somebody who has no choices like u!

U did 'everything' and now u wanna pull back!

Re: Help please????
fancyface - 02-21-08 20:56

Hi drnaeem would you mind sharing your credentials with us ,I'm an IMG too .

Re: Help please????
radhamesramos - 02-22-08 09:40

But pobably he/she found out how bad were these programs when he interviewed there, or it was his/her first time applyng and was afraid or being let with no interviews...please do not give a hard time to naeen, everybody makes mistake

Re: Help please????
mindswapper - 02-23-08 06:11

And this mistake wud cost somebody else his future!

Most IMGs apply and attend i/vs in places where they do not wanna go! Then why do they apply in the 1st place? If they had not applied then somebody who really wants it, might have his chance.

That is what I wanna say here!

Re: Help please????
TheOne - 02-23-08 15:05



I felt the same, when I used to heard someone who pulled a string or two and got it done with much lower credentials than mine, when I saw someone going to 10 I/Vs and ignoring 1 or 2 of them just because he thought these places are "Not worth the flight tickets!!".

But now I can say it clearly, what can they do other than that?? IMG's are already doomed by the letters that refer to them "I M G".
I wouldn't go through the other obstacles like clinical experince, visa, LOR's, etc. as we all now how frustrating talking about them. IMG's really have no other choice beside applying everywhere just to secure one spot anywhere. I met an IMG form my home country whose now a legal resident of the US and when asked her about the "No. of applications" she smiled and said "150".
It's a race mindswapper, not any race, not even the famous "Daytona 500" where the winner's names are glorified in "the halls of fame". It's a Life Race.

Did you ever looked to where would you be 5 or 10 years form now if you get into a residency ?? Beside a solid name in the lists of the American Academy/College of whatever and a secure job in a hospital or a clinic of your own. Can you see your family having a secured life for the next 30 or 40 years just because their "Dad is a Doctor"? Finally, and this is my favorite part, did you ever thought of what your car or house will look like??

I know I will be attacked for the last line but I will say one thing to you all, as a human being I'm always looking for the best.. That's why I'm here in the United States of America.

Re: Help please????
radhamesramos - 02-23-08 17:39

Look theOne, nobody can attack you for your comments, since you are among the members that posts the most sincere comments of all, and since you don't judge nobody (this forum is not court house or judge J... kind of shows), attacking you would be of no need at all.

A lot of us say durig interviews that we want to do research, or go into academics after finishing the specialty, or go to work in a primary care in an undeserved area, when some of us just do it for the waiver and then forget about the place when we are established doctors with a Green card, and a private practice in a safe place.

theOne is right about the feeling of anxiety when ERAS season comes to seure a spot, apply to 150 places and gets 25 interviews, but cannot pay all those plane tickets, hotels, and other expenses, because they have a family, or really indebted. Perhaps, those of us who didn't get much interviews (I got five myself after applying to 100 programs) we must check out our applications, see what are our weak points, what is missing and try to get better, and not get a grudge against those who are "lucky" enough to be wanted by every program that loves IMGs.