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U.S. Clinical Experience
As an IMG, you undoubtedly had significant clinical experience prior to your decision to seek training in the U.S. Although you may have had excellent clinical training in your native country, the reality of the matter is that your past experience will carry little weight in the residency selection process.
Far more important to programs is the depth and breadth of your clinical involvement here in the U.S. Lack of U.S. clinical experience is a major reason why applicants fail to match.
Although programs require or recommend U.S. clinical experience, it can be difficult to secure such rotations. To help ease the process, we have created a list of observership and externship opportunities in different specialties.
We also offer clinical rotation experiences for IMGs. These rotations have all been created by Dr. Samir Desai in partnership with dedicated physician mentors. We invite you to explore our opportunities below.
Once you've secured a rotation, your next order of business is to excel during the rotation. This requires that you have a strong understanding of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals on the team, the differences between patients in the U.S. and elsewhere, and the non-cognitive skills and qualities that are highly valued in the U.S. healthcare system. Your ability to make a strong impression will be crucial to your chances of landing an outstanding letter of recommendation.
Because of unfamiliarity with the system and the way in which care is delivered, talented IMGs often fall short of making a strong impression upon attendings and faculty members. To help you succeed in this crucial area, we have developed the resource "Success on the Wards." This book is a recommended or required resource at many U.S. medical schools, particularly when students transition from the basic science to clinical years. The feedback we have received from IMGs indicates that our resource has also helped IMGs perform at a high level sooner rather than later in the rotation. We invite you to learn more about "Success on the Wards."
One important goal of your rotation is to obtain a strong letter of recommendation from your faculty preceptor or attending physician. Increasingly, letter writers are asking applicants to submit a letter draft first. Letter writers will then use this draft as the basis for their letter. If you've been asked to submit a letter draft, feel free to contact us for assistance. Dr. Samir Desai has considerable experience writing powerful letters of recommendation.