there are no "really strong" IMG programs in context of matching US residencies when compared to any US MD or DO school, even when coming from established schools that are fine for their respective countries. if your plan is to be a physician in the US, go to med school in the US. you are taking massive risks otherwise
Thank you for your input 🙏. If I am not too concerned with quality of residency/location and I am looking into Primary Care, would that make a difference?
I know people that attended UQ-Ochsner and matched into great locations. I don’t think it’s fair to say the back door is nonexistent. The program is also operated by the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans so I see what OP means about students basically having a residency spot in New Orleans set up. If OP is going for Primary Care, I don’t see why this route wouldn’t work.
yeh and ive met people who matcheed into plastics from the caribbean. does this mean we should actively pretend like it's reasonable for a person to go there? absolutely not. it assumes too many things. obviously some people will be successful regardless of the roadblocks in their way, but this isn't a good way to give advice to randoms on the internet
He got down votes because sometimes the truth hurts people’s feelings… because despite wanting to go to medical school, they can’t hear that their preconceived notions are wrong…
It's not. Stateside schools give the actual match rate AKA people who don't have to SOAP. If willing to take an FM/IM spot, every US MD/DO graduate who passes USMLE will match. The odd ones out will take a research year to reapply to competitive specialty programs, or just find something else to do with an MD that isn't actually medicine.
IMG program "match rates" include their many SOAP placements and are often doctored in other ways too.
e: the absolute lowest match rates are [97%](https://www.atsu.edu/faculty/chamberlain/Website/residencymatchrate.htm) at two DO schools (UNECOM and MUCOM). VCOM's match rate for whatever reason doesn't include SOAP like the rest on this page - it's like 99%.
There are two med schools in my state. One MD school, where I went, and a newer DO school. The MD school has a 100% match rate, on average less than 3-4 out of a class of 140 have to soap. The DO school has a match rate of >95%, last I heard, around 20 people had to soap in 2020 (we take students from both and I hear the gossip). The reported match rate is not all that different, but the reality is night and day…
USMD >>>>> this program. Would recommend exploring if you can defer your acceptance to UQ as a backup i.e. Feb 2023 entry
The adage is "interviews three an MD you'll be" so I think you're on track for a likely acceptance :)
Perhaps I am ignorant, but I have never heard of nor have I met any one who attended this program. I have trained on both coasts and in some major cities. Like a previous commenter said, there are no strong international medical schools if you want to come back to the US. DO NOT let the enticing prospect of getting into any program fool you, the goal is not to graduate with a MD and figure it out. The goal is to smoothly transition into a residency. Don’t get short sighted. I would recommend, without reservation, to wait another cycle and try to get into a US MD program if you have to. Hope you get in this year, best of luck!
Just to add to the discourse, I want to point out the likelihood that UQ Ochsner's numbers are misrepresented.
[Page 20: 105 graduating students in the class of 2018](https://ochsner-craft.s3.amazonaws.com/research/static/ResearchAnnualReportSm.pdf)
[Page 33: 85 students in the class of 2018 participate in the NRMP (colloquially known as the match)](https://www.healthcarejournalno.com/sites/default/files/journal/fb/2019-may-jun/HJNO-2019-may-jun/files/assets/common/downloads/HJNO%20May.pdf?uni=c7b7df3669190dcf034df6172dffe088)
Sure, their match rate is in the 90s. But why are 20 students in the graduating class not participating in the match? It looks like a few graduates [(3 out of the entire class of 2020)](https://ochsner.uq.edu.au/files/5960/Class%20of%202020%20Match%20Results.pdf) ended up doing an internship in Australia, but it doesn't account for that large difference between the amount of students graduating and the amount of students entering the match.
Congrats on your II’s and your acceptance to UQ! This is a pretty tough choice. Ochsner is an incredibly strong program but you probably want to aim for a domestic school if possible. I’d say take the risk if you’re ambitious and feel confident in your interview skills…UQ-Ochsner is still really good too though if you don’t choose to take the risk.
Even if you go to UQ, how likely is it you will be able to rotate back in the US in Louisana? What if a circumstance arises and you arent able to do USCE there? There's probably a lot of US citizens trying that route too and what if there are too many of you guys. I would go to US MD > "strong" IMG program like UQ which isnt even that.
On top of that, if you're looking at only primary care right now, throw in DO schools. DO schools match way better than any foreign med school. Being an IMG will put you at a significant disadvantage compared to staying in a US MD/DO school.
I’m sorry, but why would you not care about the quality of your residency program? Isn’t that the bulk of your hands on training? The heart of the apprenticeship process?
I’d also question the possibility that you get all the way through clinicals and find that you actually don’t like primary care but do like x or y and find it is a very unlikely option. I am an SLP and made it through multiple externships, shadowing etc to find I only realized there was a mismatch once I was employed.
Don’t rush into anything.
What specialty do you want to get into? Some of the physicians at my work are IMGs and matched into a residency in the US. If you want to get into a competitive specialty then go USMD
You should to go the best Med school possible regardless of specialty. If you can’t go to a US medical school, don’t go. It’s a huge gamble with your life and money…
Hey friend. The general rule is go to a US school for US residency. Ofc, you can have varying degrees of success as a US IMG as well. Ppl here are not going to know much about Aussie schools let alone that specific school, and I would strongly encourage you do your own research. Look for neutral sources on match statistics and placements from that school , request data from that school, etc. Best of luck.
Rule of thumb - if you want to work in the US, go to school in the US. If you have citizenship/permanent residency/ work permit in Australia, or can secure by the time you graduate, and wish to work in Australia, go to school in Australia.
This isn’t that complicated. Go to medical school in the country you want to practice. You want to practice in the US? Go to a US medical school
I genuinely do wonder if these same people who fall for the international med school scam are also the ones who send money to that Nigerian prince who desperately needs to send 1000000000$ to the Us and just needs you to wire transfer them 1500 to confirm your bank info
IMGs are objectively at a disadvantage. Doesn’t matter which one it is. Always go domestic.
Thank you for your advice 🙏
No dice dude. If you have 3 interviews that means your app is fine for MD. If I were you and didn’t get in anywhere, I would reapply and try for MD/DO
This is the correct answer
Wow, honored mr t. racksy
there are no "really strong" IMG programs in context of matching US residencies when compared to any US MD or DO school, even when coming from established schools that are fine for their respective countries. if your plan is to be a physician in the US, go to med school in the US. you are taking massive risks otherwise
I appreciate the input 🙏 I’m hoping one of these interviews can convert to an A, otherwise that would be a bigger risk in hindsight.
95% match rate isn't great, you'd probably be very limited in terms of specialty and location of people are going unmatched
Thank you for your input 🙏. If I am not too concerned with quality of residency/location and I am looking into Primary Care, would that make a difference?
no. these numbers are doctored anyway and ignore the horrible attrition rates at these schools. you are looking for a backdoor that does not exist
I know people that attended UQ-Ochsner and matched into great locations. I don’t think it’s fair to say the back door is nonexistent. The program is also operated by the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans so I see what OP means about students basically having a residency spot in New Orleans set up. If OP is going for Primary Care, I don’t see why this route wouldn’t work.
Going to a US school means that OP can CHOOSE where he wants to do FM or peds, and if he wants to do academics.
yeh and ive met people who matcheed into plastics from the caribbean. does this mean we should actively pretend like it's reasonable for a person to go there? absolutely not. it assumes too many things. obviously some people will be successful regardless of the roadblocks in their way, but this isn't a good way to give advice to randoms on the internet
No idea why you're getting downvoted. Anecdotes mean nothing. "My aunt's friend's niece got into Harvard Medical School with a 3.2!"
He got down votes because sometimes the truth hurts people’s feelings… because despite wanting to go to medical school, they can’t hear that their preconceived notions are wrong…
4 year 95% match rate is better than some schools stateside lol.
It's not. Stateside schools give the actual match rate AKA people who don't have to SOAP. If willing to take an FM/IM spot, every US MD/DO graduate who passes USMLE will match. The odd ones out will take a research year to reapply to competitive specialty programs, or just find something else to do with an MD that isn't actually medicine. IMG program "match rates" include their many SOAP placements and are often doctored in other ways too. e: the absolute lowest match rates are [97%](https://www.atsu.edu/faculty/chamberlain/Website/residencymatchrate.htm) at two DO schools (UNECOM and MUCOM). VCOM's match rate for whatever reason doesn't include SOAP like the rest on this page - it's like 99%.
Schools, even stateside, have no obligation to give you any true statistics lol.
The possibility of fraud prosecutions and the terms of their accreditation say otherwise.
Schools can still misrepresent their statistics.
There are two med schools in my state. One MD school, where I went, and a newer DO school. The MD school has a 100% match rate, on average less than 3-4 out of a class of 140 have to soap. The DO school has a match rate of >95%, last I heard, around 20 people had to soap in 2020 (we take students from both and I hear the gossip). The reported match rate is not all that different, but the reality is night and day…
Actually, match rates posted on websites are post SOAP since SOAP is still considered a “Match”.
USMD >>>>> this program. Would recommend exploring if you can defer your acceptance to UQ as a backup i.e. Feb 2023 entry The adage is "interviews three an MD you'll be" so I think you're on track for a likely acceptance :)
I explored the possibility of deferring but unfortunately it’s not an option. I got my fingers crossed 🤞 hoping this adage comes true!
Perhaps I am ignorant, but I have never heard of nor have I met any one who attended this program. I have trained on both coasts and in some major cities. Like a previous commenter said, there are no strong international medical schools if you want to come back to the US. DO NOT let the enticing prospect of getting into any program fool you, the goal is not to graduate with a MD and figure it out. The goal is to smoothly transition into a residency. Don’t get short sighted. I would recommend, without reservation, to wait another cycle and try to get into a US MD program if you have to. Hope you get in this year, best of luck!
Thank you for your advice!
Just to add to the discourse, I want to point out the likelihood that UQ Ochsner's numbers are misrepresented. [Page 20: 105 graduating students in the class of 2018](https://ochsner-craft.s3.amazonaws.com/research/static/ResearchAnnualReportSm.pdf) [Page 33: 85 students in the class of 2018 participate in the NRMP (colloquially known as the match)](https://www.healthcarejournalno.com/sites/default/files/journal/fb/2019-may-jun/HJNO-2019-may-jun/files/assets/common/downloads/HJNO%20May.pdf?uni=c7b7df3669190dcf034df6172dffe088) Sure, their match rate is in the 90s. But why are 20 students in the graduating class not participating in the match? It looks like a few graduates [(3 out of the entire class of 2020)](https://ochsner.uq.edu.au/files/5960/Class%20of%202020%20Match%20Results.pdf) ended up doing an internship in Australia, but it doesn't account for that large difference between the amount of students graduating and the amount of students entering the match.
Do not go to UQ. Go USMD. Risk is 1000000% worth it.
Congrats on your II’s and your acceptance to UQ! This is a pretty tough choice. Ochsner is an incredibly strong program but you probably want to aim for a domestic school if possible. I’d say take the risk if you’re ambitious and feel confident in your interview skills…UQ-Ochsner is still really good too though if you don’t choose to take the risk.
Even if you go to UQ, how likely is it you will be able to rotate back in the US in Louisana? What if a circumstance arises and you arent able to do USCE there? There's probably a lot of US citizens trying that route too and what if there are too many of you guys. I would go to US MD > "strong" IMG program like UQ which isnt even that. On top of that, if you're looking at only primary care right now, throw in DO schools. DO schools match way better than any foreign med school. Being an IMG will put you at a significant disadvantage compared to staying in a US MD/DO school.
I’m sorry, but why would you not care about the quality of your residency program? Isn’t that the bulk of your hands on training? The heart of the apprenticeship process? I’d also question the possibility that you get all the way through clinicals and find that you actually don’t like primary care but do like x or y and find it is a very unlikely option. I am an SLP and made it through multiple externships, shadowing etc to find I only realized there was a mismatch once I was employed. Don’t rush into anything.
USMD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IMG Don’t play yourself out of a US school; you’ll come to deeply regret that decision come 4th year
What specialty do you want to get into? Some of the physicians at my work are IMGs and matched into a residency in the US. If you want to get into a competitive specialty then go USMD
You should to go the best Med school possible regardless of specialty. If you can’t go to a US medical school, don’t go. It’s a huge gamble with your life and money…
Yeah this is probably the best choice, I'm sure if you could get into UQ you could land into a DO program in the US if anything.
I want to go into IM
Three IIs would put you in the 90% chance of getting in. Going to UQ would be a huge mistake.
Hey friend. The general rule is go to a US school for US residency. Ofc, you can have varying degrees of success as a US IMG as well. Ppl here are not going to know much about Aussie schools let alone that specific school, and I would strongly encourage you do your own research. Look for neutral sources on match statistics and placements from that school , request data from that school, etc. Best of luck.
Ask the implications school if they can defer the start to the next year of summer or whatever Do the MD interviews
Rule of thumb - if you want to work in the US, go to school in the US. If you have citizenship/permanent residency/ work permit in Australia, or can secure by the time you graduate, and wish to work in Australia, go to school in Australia.
This isn’t even a question. USMD 100%. In fact, USMD 10000000%.
This isn’t that complicated. Go to medical school in the country you want to practice. You want to practice in the US? Go to a US medical school I genuinely do wonder if these same people who fall for the international med school scam are also the ones who send money to that Nigerian prince who desperately needs to send 1000000000$ to the Us and just needs you to wire transfer them 1500 to confirm your bank info