2008 match

[asystole]

Many predict that 2008 match is going to be by far the toughest for IMGs. Many reasons are responsible for this.There are about 4000-5000 doctors at UK preparing for USMLE.To add to this there will be a significant backlog from this year too.Moreover doctors coming from UK will have upper hand over the others because programs in US give more emphasis to UK clinical experience compared to those from S.E. Asia. For doctors from Nepal for example, scores are going to be very critical as very few will have US clinical experience.(try to get one if u can-its going to work more than anything else).
So think ahead and prepare in time.................2008 match is going to be a tough road for US residency aspitants!
Good luck.

[nepali]

I agree with asystole to some extend!
But here are my some tips that I learned after going through the hassle of application and interviews .........and finally was offered an out of match position at a descent program......I am proud of myself!!!!!!
I agree scores are one of the most important factors to get into interviews. But this year with great scores peoples have very few interviews ....what a paradox!!!!! So a good deal of homework before applying is important too..dont apply to programs whose criteria you dont meet.
CS result before Sept 1 st is a must to get good interviews. step 3 is even better.....so plan accordingly.
Try to get into some research, publish papers....esp important for doctors who r working right now....
Getting US LORs aint an easy task for people from our part of the world ....but there r some places in Nepal you get chance to work with doctors from US and ask them to write LOR......most PDs give a shit to LORs written by our faculties but have great interest in US LORs no matter how they are...
For those who r still at medical school....do your best coz med school performance counts a lot and I mean it a lot!!
I reckon the 2008 match is gonna be a tough one but if u work hard its at your hand.
these r some of my penny advice.
GL

[asystole]

Thanks Nepali for highlighting many points that i missed. You are absolutely right. Especially your thoughts about the timing of the results.............i.e by Sept 1 is going to be v.very critical.

[asystole]

Thank you for highlighting all the things that i had missed.I absolutely agree with you. The timing of results as you rightly pointed out is going to be a very very important factor.

[Ne_pal]

I rem'em going through this post quite sometime back. Yeah, 2008 match has been a real tough one, although the game isn't over yet! Infact its been more tough than you could predict and its going to get even more tough in subsequent years.
My experience that could help to get maximum no of interview calls are:

1. Apply on September 1 with all the exam results (ECFMG certified with Step 3)
2. Score 240 plus in Step 1 and 2 (i'm not trying to create a panic situation, but this is the bitter truth!)
3. USLORs (no matter how it is and get it waived) and USCE
4. Well rounded CV
5. Contacts (interns/residents/attendings/pd: may work out so well that score will be a secondary criteria then)
6. Clinical experience in the desired discipline
7. Well written personal statement
8. Apply wisely and widely
9. Attempts may pose some problem
10. "Luck"

N.B. Performance during the interview and the level of your well roundedness matters and not the no. of interview calls. Good luck

Candidates going through 2008 match please share your experience