What about foreign-born applicants who are serious about neurosurgery? What does it take for them to match?
Do they even stand a chance? I’m asking because I’m from Asia and I’m curious to know how candidates from those countries perform, if at all they match. Ever known or met any? I just sat for step 1 recently, scores aren’t out yet,
but I’ve been serious about neuro for almost 3 years now.

Are you referring to foreign medical graduates? As far as I know American medical graduates of foreign origin usually have visa or green card of some sort and are treated equally to their American follows.

Although I think FMG are branded and suffer from this disadvantage in status, there are numerous instances where FMGs matched successfully, albeit I believe that you have to be better than most AMG applicants in all aspects to have a good chance.

Yes I’m referring to foreign graduates. IMGs and non-citizens of the US.

they are disadvantaged, no doubt. wait for your step 1 score. if it’s not good, forget it. lots of american grads don’t get in because of poor scores, poor grades, or lack of connections.

It does seem that a strong step 1 score counts favourably towards ones’ application. How important are step2 scores? WHat if your step 1 is so-so, but your step 2 is strong?

From own experience, you basically have to be competitive in every aspect, step 1,2 ..., rotations that you do in the US, your LOR’s, prior reseach, publications, and definitively you need to have a great interview. You need to be better in many aspects than AMG to compete, fair game. If you enter, celebrate for a month non stop… and thank God. You need to show you deserve the position not only before you match or in paper, but during the whole length of residency, always giving that extra effort. Above all, please enjoy what you do.
04

Anonymous User - 25 November 2007 05:17 PM

From own experience, you basically have to be competitive in every aspect, step 1,2 ..., rotations that you do in the US, your LOR’s, prior reseach, publications, and definitively you need to have a great interview. You need to be better in many aspects than AMG to compete, fair game. If you enter, celebrate for a month non stop… and thank God. You need to show you deserve the position not only before you match or in paper, but during the whole length of residency, always giving that extra effort. Above all, please enjoy what you do.
04

Thanks 04, to that end yeah I’m trying to see if I can land an externship position in a hospital preferably with neurosurgical services. Would bolster my application to get some LORs there and some US experience. Met a neurosurgeon from John Hopkins at a recent conference, told him my scores and plans, he told me its definitely possible to spend some time in his center, I just have to get past the visa issues and stuff. I told him I couldnt understand why FMGs too needed to compete on the same platform with the rest of the AMGs when we plan to leave back for our country anyway once we’re done with our training.
He saw my point. Anyway lets see what comes of this. Chances are gonna be soo slim though. Oh well. Thanks.

True. No matter if you are going to stay or go back, remember that as a FMG, if you match, you are taking a position that an AMG can take too in their own land, so you really really really have to show you deserve every bit of it, and you really need to make sure you are first a great resident before thinking ahead. Thats my best advice. Apply that to your everyday duties if you get in, and you will be fine.
04

what percentage of FMG who complete residency in the US actually return to their home country?

I heard a statistic that up to 15% of the positions for Nsurg were held by FMG.

I heard neurosurgery isnt very popular anymore, or maybe not as it once was, which probably explains the FMGs now being able to take up these spots. How true this is, I honestly dont know, and I dont think my sources are reliable anyway. Was it ever popular? as say orthopedics or ENT?

Rvin - 26 November 2007 01:46 AM

I couldnt understand why FMGs too needed to compete on the same platform with the rest of the AMGs when we plan to leave back for our country anyway once we’re done with our training.

Generally US residency programs are intended to train US neurosurgeons.

Rvin - 20 October 2007 07:13 AM

What about foreign-born applicants who are serious about neurosurgery? What does it take for them to match?
Do they even stand a chance? I’m asking because I’m from Asia and I’m curious to know how candidates from those countries perform, if at all they match. Ever known or met any? I just sat for step 1 recently, scores aren’t out yet,
but I’ve been serious about neuro for almost 3 years now.

My husband has been practicing neurosurgery for three years.  He is originally from China.  I agree, you should get some NS rotations on your CV.  It is also helpful if your English is adequte.

I am an FMG and I matched at a top tier program. I am a senior resident now (I am sure the curious can figure out who I am) but regardless, I wanted to tell everyone out there that excellence is rewarded. It really doesn’t matter where you are from. If you are smart, if you have a lot of potential, and if you are a great person many programs will go out of their way to get you. Remember, PD’s are in the business of selecting “the best” and also “the best fit for their program.” And nowhere is it stated that the best has to be a born US citizen. I know of quite a number of FMG’s who are at the most respected residencies in this country. Go ahead, look them up. You will be surprised when you see where they trained. But you know what set them apart from the rest? Their excellence. These people are good and that’s why they are where they are.

Any idea how many FMGs matched this year and where they come from?

I wanted to know that which route is better to get into residency after 1 year surg internship
Doing spine fellowship or doing pre-residency neurosurgery fellowship?