<p>I received a scholarship to go the the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba. The program was 6 years long and I formed my own clinic while there. Now, I want to go back to the US (I'm a US citizen. born and raised) and do my residency so I can practice there. But the problem is...I don't know if I'll receive a residency since i graduated from a foreign school.... also, i heard foreign doctors are looked down upon.....SO, should I redo medical school in the United States? Would it be helpful if I did?</p>
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<p>Being a US citizen will help some and there are residency programs that accept FMG’s (foreign medical grads). You will have a chance at being accepted to an average primary care residency, but not at a prestigious institution or a highly competitive specialty such as ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, etc.</p>
<p>^Probably a little too extreme of an answer. About 25-30% of residencies, many of them in competitive specialties, do not look at FMG applications. For the others, while it can be a bit of a battle, it is possible to place into good residencies or competitive specialties. Possible does not mean likely, however, so unless you were top of your class and had a strong Step 1 you will probably end up in a primary care residency, as is the trend among FMG residents.</p>
<p>Before I answer your question, what was your undergrad GPA and did you take the MCAT ever (what was your score if so).</p>
<p>[Someone</a> else has suggested](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/foreign-medical-education/756214-i-am-fmg-should-i-redo-med-school-us.html]Someone”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/foreign-medical-education/756214-i-am-fmg-should-i-redo-med-school-us.html) that the OP is a ■■■■■.</p>
<p>Actually I think being a US Citizen will hurt. I’ve seen many residencies that state up-front that they have no problem with IMG’s, provided the IMG is actually from the country in question.</p>
<p>The route for US citizen FMG’s is not easy. If you can get a US residency in any specialty at almost any US program, take it. You will face additional scrutiny down the road, but at least you will be able to practice medicine somewhere in the US. Many FMG’s attempt this path and end up working as home health care nurses, sales reps, or in non-medical fields.</p>
<p>Re-doing med school is a long, hard, expensive road. Prior graduation from a foreign medical school will put you in a unique applicant category and may help or hinder your application.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>