Hi!
I am a US citizen (family is from pakistan). So im currently a sophomore in high school, but I have been thinking of colleges from now just because many require certain tests that i need to prepare from now. I have always been told to keep my options open regarding college, and so I am planning on applying abroad and in country regardless or match rates (for abroad schools). As I am researching, I am finding people say that it is hard to get a residency here for IMGs. I have discussed this alot with my family, and am confused as my family has had a different experience. One of my cousins (US citizen) graduated from DOW university, and got a residency here when she applied (didnt wait 3 years or something). Another cousin of mine (Pakistani citizen), is a Agha Khan graduate and currently completing residency here in America as well. So all in all I am just trying to figure out how hard it is to match here in the US as a international medical graduate.
For those of you guys wondering why I would want to go that route, I have know my whole life that I want to be a doctor and the time it requires in america just seems a little ridiculous. Not to say that I will not apply the traditional route. What is the problem with wanting to finish your medical education and save time, especially if from what I can tell, Agha Khan is a fantastic school.
Currently IMGs have about a 40% of matching to a US residency. Those that do match, match in less competitive specialties (IM, FM, psych, neuro, path) and at less competitive residency programs. IMGs need higher USMLE scores simply to be considered at the same programs in the same specialty as their US educated peers. Additionally, IMGs need to have 3 years of accredited US residency training to be eligible for US medical license instead of 1 for US grads (MD or DO).
How long ago did your family members do residency? Because the situation has changed significantly in the last 10 years. The number of US medical grads has increased by 30% while the number of US medical residencies has remained essentially unchanged since the 1990s. New MD and DO schools are opening every year so the number of US medical grads will continue to expand.
The match situation will change dramatically next year (2020) when the MD and DO residency matches merge and all current DO-only residencies will cease to exist. (Some have converted to ACGME residencies, but most have already closed or will close next year.) The unification will add about 8000+ US medical grads to the NRMP match.
@zakh15 you are about 8 years away from needing to be in the Match ( 2 more years of high school + 6 years of medical school in Pakistan)–it’s impossible to guess what the match situation for IMGs will look like almost a decade from now. Going to a foreign medical school is a risk. Only you can decide if it’s risk you are willing to take.
There is no problem for IMGs to get residency if they are good students. The problems are, as WOWM indicated, the chances for matching into a residency is much lower and the better, more competitive specialties are off the limits for IMGs.
Op, if you are a good student don’t be afraid of take US med schools head on because there is no easy route to become a physician. IMG, US Md or Do are all difficult journey, good luck.