ECFMG- Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
FREIDA Online-Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database.
LCME, ACGME, AAMC and AMA
LCME, ACGME, AAMC and AMA
LCME-Liaison Committee on Medical Education
ACGME- Accreditation Council for graduate Medical Education
AAMC- Association of American Medical Colleges
AMA –American Medical Association
FREIDA -An online database of all accredited graduate medical education programs in the United States
FREIDA -An online database of all accredited graduate medical education programs in the United States
FREIDA has database of over 8,000+ GME programs as well as over 200+ combined specialty programs
Enables you to research programs based on Location, Specialty, Optional criteria ( General program info, NRMP participation, Preliminary positions, Program Code, etc.)
"The ECFMG promotes quality health care for the public by certifying international medical graduates for entry into U.S. graduate medical education(GME), otherwise called residency.
"The ECFMG promotes quality health care for the public by certifying international medical graduates for entry into U.S. graduate medical education(GME), otherwise called residency.
Serve as deans office for IMG’s
Contact: www.ecfmg.org
As designated dean’s office: ECFMG receives supporting documents for the ERAS application, such as Medical Student Performance Evaluations, medical school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and photographs from applicants and their medical schools.
As designated dean’s office: ECFMG receives supporting documents for the ERAS application, such as Medical Student Performance Evaluations, medical school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and photographs from applicants and their medical schools.
ECFMG then transmits these documents to the ERAS Post Office.
ERAS then transmits the documents to programs on request of the applicant.
www.ecfmg.org has information on the application materials, application timeline of events with application deadlines for USMLE steps.
www.ecfmg.org has information on the application materials, application timeline of events with application deadlines for USMLE steps.
For ECFMG certification, the main requirements are:
Completion of USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 2 CS
A medical diploma or degree taken at a institution registered in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED)
LCME is sponsored by the AAMC and the AMA
LCME is sponsored by the AAMC and the AMA
The LCME accredits only schools that grant a Doctor Of Medicine degree(MD)
An accrediting body for educational programs at medical schools in the United States, and some schools in Puerto Rico and Canada.
The LCME currently accredits 113 U.S. schools, 4 in Puerto Rico, and 17 in Canada (Total 134 schools)
An International Medical Graduate ("IMG“): Physician who graduated from a medical school outside of the LCME currently accredited 134 schools.
An International Medical Graduate ("IMG“): Physician who graduated from a medical school outside of the LCME currently accredited 134 schools.
The medical school of graduation must be listed in the International Medical Education Directory(IMED)
IMG’s comprise one-quarter of U.S. physician workforce.
Main pathway for IMGs who wish to be licensed as physicians in the United States is to complete a U.S. residency hospital program.
Main pathway for IMGs who wish to be licensed as physicians in the United States is to complete a U.S. residency hospital program.
The general method to apply for residency programs is through the National Resident Matching Program (abbreviated NRMP, also called "the Match").
Obtain current “Applicant User Guide” from www.nrmp.org
Process of matching applicants with residency programs
Process of matching applicants with residency programs
The largest of the several matches is the Main Residency Match (the “Main Match”) sponsored by the NRMP.
Each year, the Match provides services to over 30,000+ applicants and offering over 23,000+ Post graduate year one (PGY-1) and 2500+ second year (PGY-2) positions to over 3,900 residency training programs
In 2011 30,589 applicants vied for 23,421 available PGY-1 and 2,737 PGY-2 residency positions.
Through ERAS and NRMP
Through ERAS and NRMP
The NRMP and ERAS are distinct, but complementary entities.
ERAS is a method for applying to residency training programs.
NRMP is a method for matching applicants with available positions in those programs
Applicants must register separately for the NRMP and for ERAS.
Applicants must register separately for the NRMP and for ERAS.
Applicants and programs register for the Match, submit their rank order lists, and obtain their Match
The NRMP matching process uses the Web-based Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) System.
The NRMP classifies applicants into two categories:
The NRMP classifies applicants into two categories:
1. U.S. seniors
2. Independent applicants
1.) U. S. Seniors
A 4th-year medical student in an LCME-accredited U.S. allopathic school of medicine with a graduation date after July 1 in the year before the match
U.S. seniors are sponsored by their medical schools in the NRMP Main Residency Match.
Previous graduates of U.S. medical school: graduated earlier than July 1st in the year before the match
Previous graduates of U.S. medical school: graduated earlier than July 1st in the year before the match
Graduate of a U.S. osteopathic medical school
Graduate of a Canadian medical school
U.S. citizen graduate of international medical school
Non-U.S. citizen graduate of international medical school.
These specialties also require 1 yr preliminary training in Medicine, Pediatrics, or Surgery
1)Urology match: contact: www.auanet.org
2)San Francisco Match:
Used by Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery
Contact: www.sfmatch.org
The Electronic Residency Application Service,(ERAS), is a service of the Association Of American Medical Colleges(AAMC) through which M.D. and D.O. graduates of medical schools apply to residency and fellowship programs in the U.S
The Electronic Residency Application Service,(ERAS), is a service of the Association Of American Medical Colleges(AAMC) through which M.D. and D.O. graduates of medical schools apply to residency and fellowship programs in the U.S
M.D: Medical Doctor or allopathic Doctor of Medicine
D.O: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
ERAS act as Post-Office for applicants and transmit applications, and supporting documents to programs
Application for residency(CAF)
Application for residency(CAF)
Transmits applications to residency program directors:
Letters of recommendation (LoRs)
Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPEs) or Deans letter
Medical school transcripts
USMLE transcripts
COMPLEX transcripts (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination)
Graduate Medical Education(GME):
Graduate Medical Education(GME):
The period of didactic and clinical education in a medical specialty which follows the completion of a recognized undergraduate medical education and which prepares physicians for residency training.
ACGME or “Green” rotations are rotations done at a hospital that has a residency in that rotation and is included in the graduate medical directory(Green book).
Does it matter where I do my clinical rotations or is it important to do it at ACGME certified hospital?
Does it matter where I do my clinical rotations or is it important to do it at ACGME certified hospital?
Some hospital asks for US Clinical ACGME rotations as a requirement to enter into their residency program.
Most will simply look at your CV (outstanding research/publications) and USMLE scores.
Internal Medicine (Categorical) (1,215)
Internal Medicine (Categorical) (1,215)
Family Medicine (363)
Pediatrics (Categorical) (256)
Psychiatry (Categorical) (147)
Surgery-Preliminary (PGY-1 Only) (129)
Neurology PGY-1 and PGY-2 (126)
Medicine-Preliminary (PGY-1 Only) (115)
Pathology (106)
Obstetrics-Gynecology (62)
Demonstrated involvement and interest in research
Demonstrated involvement and interest in research
Perceived commitment to specialty
Interpersonal Skills(with faculty, patient and admin.)
Registering for ERAS is not the same as registering for the NRMP, and vice versa.
Registering for ERAS is not the same as registering for the NRMP, and vice versa.
ERAS permits maximum of 4 LOR to be transmitted to each program.
The MSPE letter (Dean’s Letter) does not count as a letter of recommendation.
MSPE (Deans letter) is optional for IMG’s
“California Letter” is required for all applicants to California residencies.
The dean’s letter has been changed, to Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) in order to reflect its purpose as an evaluation of a medical student’s performance
The dean’s letter has been changed, to Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) in order to reflect its purpose as an evaluation of a medical student’s performance
The MSPE describes, in a sequential manner, a student’s performance, as compared to that of his/her peers, through medical school
The MSPE includes an assessment of both the student’s academic performance and professional attributes.
Factors to consider:
Factors to consider:
Your competitive standing
Competitiveness of program (Positions available versus number of applications-Check FREIDA online)
ERAS Support Services at ECFMG and Schools begin generating and distributing tokens to applicants
Use Token to Register with ERAS and get your AAMC#
Begin working on your Personal statement and CV
Get your transcript and LOR ready
Research programs at FREIDA Online
July 1, 2012
July 1, 2012
MyERAS website opens to applicants to begin working on their application spreadsheet.
Arrange for mock residency interviews
September 1, 2012
Registration for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), or “the Match,” opens
SEP 15, 2012 Use the MyERAS website to transmit your MyERAS application to the ERAS PostOffice.
OCT 1, 2012 MSPEs are released to programs by the ERAS PostOffice.
OCT 1, 2012 MSPEs are released to programs by the ERAS PostOffice.
NOV 30, 2012 NRMP Match early registration deadline. (You may register after this deadline, but you will be required to pay an additional late registration fee to the NRMP.)
Applicant registration deadlines for NRMP/USMLE
Applicant registration deadlines for NRMP/USMLE
Early registration: July 1- Nov. 30,2012 pays $50.
Late registration: Dec 1,2012 – Feb. 20,2013 must pay an additional $50 late registration fee ($100 total fee)
Registration closes: February 21, 2013.
Nov. 1, 2012: Deadline for taking USMLE Step 2 CS.
Jan. 31, 2013:Deadline for taking USMLE Step 2 CK.
Oct. 2012 – Jan. 2013
Oct. 2012 – Jan. 2013
Residency interviews
January 15, 2013
Rank order list entry begins
February 22, 2013
Deadline for ROL certification
March 11, 2013
Filled and unfilled results for individual programs posted to the Web site at 12:00 noon eastern time.
March 11th – 15th, 2013
March 11th – 15th, 2013
Match week
SOAP offers and acceptance
March 15, 2013
Match Day!! (Match results for applicants posted)
May 31, 2013
ERAS PostOffice closes, ending current ERAS season.
JUL 1, 2013
Residency training begins.
Schedule your interview date as soon as you receive your invitation and a list of available interview dates.
Schedule your interview date as soon as you receive your invitation and a list of available interview dates.
Your date of interview makes a difference because some programs fill up their slot before the interview process officially ends in February.
Ask if rounds or morning conferences are scheduled as part of the days activities because this is the easiest way to judge the style and caliber of a program with regards to supervision, teaching and type of patient.
Tell me about yourself –I:
Tell me about yourself –I:
Most frequently asked interview question
share something unique e.g.. Your motivation to go to medical school, then a particular specialty and then applying to the program
Passion for whatever I do
I want to bring out the best in others
Motivate and encourage others
I do extremely well under pressure or stress
Why have you chosen this specialty?-
Why have you chosen this specialty?-
See your personal statement.
The interviewer is curious about your commitment and enthusiasm.
Why did you apply to this program?-
Describe how the program meets your need in terms of goals, curriculum, hospital affiliations, unique features of the program etc.
What programs exist for resident education (e.g. , lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, board review courses)?
What programs exist for resident education (e.g. , lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, board review courses)?
Is attendance at regional and national conferences encouraged? Is it funded, and, if so, to what degree?
Is there a formal mentoring program for new residents, and do faculty serve as mentors?
Are research opportunities provided to residents? Is this a required experience?
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program(SOAP) replaces the Scramble during Match Week 2012.
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program(SOAP) replaces the Scramble during Match Week 2012.
Replacement is due to confusion, stressfulness, lack of accountability and chaotic process of calling, faxing, and emailing in accessing programs during scramble.
It is not a second Match.
Positions offered and accepted during SOAP establish a binding commitment enforced by the NRMP Match participation agreement
At 12:00 noon eastern time the Friday before Match Week, the NRMP will send emails to all Match applicants indicating whether they are eligible to participate in SOAP.
At 12:00 noon eastern time the Friday before Match Week, the NRMP will send emails to all Match applicants indicating whether they are eligible to participate in SOAP.
You are eligible for free applications if your account is paid in full and you have applied to and paid for at least one ACGME-accredited program
It is illegal for a third party e.g. commercial websites to access ERAS websites using your ID
Those who traditionally have more difficulty matching to U.S. allopathic residency slots
Those who traditionally have more difficulty matching to U.S. allopathic residency slots
IMGs might be likely beneficiaries of these improvements as the pressure is on programs to fill their empty slots
For IMG’s this might be your best chance
Don’t give up yet. It’s time to strategize !!
Don’t give up yet. It’s time to strategize !!
Steps to take:
Prepare for Scramble (now SOAP)
Honestly assess the reasons for not matching
Improve your credentials-Research & clinical exposure
