For Nigerian IMGs....

[Abii12]

I am starting this thread for Nigerian medical graduates who are interested in writing the USMLE. If you are a medical student or you are seeking admission into a med school, please seek out some other threads with valuable advice for you, which I don't really have.

A little about me....I am a Nigerian IMG and I graduated in 2004. I have written all my USMLE steps and presently in the midst of the 2009 residency application. I am not a US citizen or permanent resident so I am also working on getting a visa sponsorship for the residency program.
My journey so far made me realise how little we know Nigeria about the nitty-gritty details of residency application in the US. I therefore want to make it easier for you if you are in that position.

If you are seriously thinking about a residency in the US and writing the USMLE, you can post your questions or comment here. I will prefer more specific comments or questions as it relates to being a Nigerian IMG as there are enough threads on the challenges of being an IMG in general. I will try to be factual and answer only what I know about. If there is any issue I am not too familiar with, I can help source the information from better informed people.

Thank you and God bless.

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[1k001]

hi i'm a nigerian medical student considering doing a residency in the US in the future. I have quite a few questions, i'll appreciate it if you could give me an e-mail address i could contact you on.

 

[Doctor Funky]

I am a Nigerian Medical Student. Planning to write the USMLE. I was wondering if you need to write the exam in US, or if its available in Africa

Also, what are the best study materials for USMLE, what is the most cost effective method of studying. How long did you study and how many days per week did you study.

 

[stonymeadow]

Your best bet will be to go to the UK or any of the european country for first yr residency training (aka house-manship), then take the USMLE step1&2 and apply for residency in the U.S.

best of luck.

I beg to disagree with this portion of your comment. You dont have to go to the UK for internship or to take the exams. The Steps 1 and 2CK can be taken in Ghana during your housemanship in Naija. You should try to secure an observership (or elective if you are still a student) in order to acquire some US Clinical experience and Letters of Recommendation from US physicians. You also need to do very well on your USMLEs and so, you need to adequately prepare for those. There are other routes that have been take by other people to obtain residency positions in the US. Do PM me if you have other questions.

P.S: kudos to the OP for this thread helping fellow NAIJAs

 

[princekc]

I beg to disagree with this portion of your comment. You dont have to go to the UK for internship or to take the exams. The Steps 1 and 2CK can be taken in Ghana during your housemanship in Naija. You should try to secure an observership (or elective if you are still a student) in order to acquire some US Clinical experience and Letters of Recommendation from US physicians. You also need to do very well on your USMLEs and so, you need to adequately prepare for those. There are other routes that have been take by other people to obtain residency positions in the US. Do PM me if you have other questions.

I meant it would be easier transitioning to US residency program if you're already in the UK or any European countries (preferably English speaking or as second language). Many US family medicine residency program I've looked at preferred six to a year residency training in the UK. Yes; you can take USMLE step 1 & 2 while in Nigeria; however, I'll caution that you would need enormous amount of time to study for these exam. Doing very well on USMLE for Nigeria medical student is nearly impossible. Once again, you'll be lucky if you match in family medicine residency program.

You raised the issue of securing "an observership (or elective if you are still a student) in order to acquire some US Clinical experience and Letters of Recommendation from US physicians." Getting a clinical elective as a Nigeria medical student is difficult. The corrupt system (Nigeria) had made traveling to the US even more difficult. If you're referring to traveling from Ghana; maybe this is possible with proper arrangement, however, I haven't heard of it.

For those of you interested in US post-graduate medical training, do a search online for info or on SDN. You can contact your program of interest for advise. You shouldn't PM those coming here with a different user-name asking that you PM them for additional question. If you do, be cautious. Good luck. This would be my last posting here!

 

[stonymeadow]

...Many US family medicine residency program I've looked at preferred six to a year residency training in the UK.

The above statement is absolute balderdash and at best convolutes the truth. Most of the programs I applied to had a cut-off of between 2 to 5 years for your number of years from graduation. Going to the UK for a residency should only be an option if you cant directly get a position in the States and the situation in the UK for non-citizens is 2x as bad.

Yes; you can take USMLE step 1 & 2 while in Nigeria; however, I'll caution that you would need enormous amount of time to study for these exam. Doing very well on USMLE for Nigeria medical student is nearly impossible. Once again, you'll be lucky if you match in family medicine residency program.

Wow, I am baffled as to who/what informs your apparently uninformed opinion on this. Suffice to say that I, as well as several others I know, prepared for and took the first step in Naija and um, guess what?..."did very well". Yes, it required a couple of months of prep but what's more important is not how long you prepare but how well and with what materials.

You raised the issue of securing "an observership (or elective if you are still a student) in order to acquire some US Clinical experience and Letters of Recommendation from US physicians." Getting a clinical elective as a Nigeria medical student is difficult. The corrupt system (Nigeria) had made traveling to the US even more difficult.

Obtaining US Clinical Experience is completely dependent on your securing the position in the said institution and obtaining a visa from the US Consulate in Naija (from my humble experience). yea, the system is corrupt and we all know that! but i'll tell you what the system has got to do with procurring an elective (as a student) or observership in the States??? Nada. Zilch.

For those of you interested in US post-graduate medical training, do a search online for info or on SDN. You can contact your program of interest for advise. You shouldn't PM those coming here with a different user-name asking that you PM them for additional question. If you do, be cautious. Good luck.

This is really the only part of your post with any sort of benefit. However, the subtle cues/references did not go unnoticed. Goodness, you are not even in med school yet and i bet you havent stepped foot in naija for several years and yet you know that Naija medical students are doing poorly in the MLEs???

This would be my last posting here!

C'mon man, you sound like a migrant troll! No one is challenging you to a wordy debate but IMHO, you need not roam around the fora spewing forth misleading generalizations. But do keep posting. Only cut down on the fallacies!!! Peace 'n Luv. NAIJA4LYF.

 

[Boombum]

You are obviously living on another planet that seems to have embittered you. The challenges faced by 9ja graduates are no different than that faced by other IMGs. I'll encourage anyone interested in any program to give it their best shot cause I know countless 9ja trained docs matching into top programs.

 

[Charis]

Thank u Dr. Abii12. To the US-based Drs:
I`m a med student considering taking the USMLE. Pls how many steps of the exam are required to get a spot for just housemanship?
And 3 whole years before a license???? Is that like specializing, as in the NJ "reg" equivalent, and does it include the housejob year?
Are u being paid during that period?
How do I prepare for the clinical skills part of the exam?
Thank you all sooo much! This is grrr8.

 

[ROBINHO]

Any Ghana nigeria or African medical School student/graduate applying for medical residency this year?
would like to hook up and share ideas and strategise together
Cheers

 

[ROBINHO]

Thank u Dr. Abii12. To the US-based Drs:
I`m a med student considering taking the USMLE. Pls how many steps of the exam are required to get a spot for just housemanship?
And 3 whole years before a license???? Is that like specializing, as in the NJ "reg" equivalent, and does it include the housejob year?
Are u being paid during that period?
How do I prepare for the clinical skills part of the exam?
Thank you all sooo much! This is grrr8.

U can apply even with only one exams passed in september( but nowadays it is increasingly becoming difficult for International Medical Graduates to achieve that). However u need to have passed Step 1, STEP 2CS and STEP 2 CK to be able to MATCH in MARCH. It is not only an issue of passing the exams...u shd also be ECFMG certified by february...that means u have graduated and your medical school diploma has been verified with your Medical school.

However since u are fresh...i will suggest u get all these exams done before the September of the year u apply for residency. There is another exams called Step 3, you should pass it within first year of Residency, however based on the kind of visa you want sometimes u would need it before MARCH.

Note when u get a spot(what u call House Job is called an INTERN in the USA). U are on a salary between 45 and 60K a year.

Clinical exams...I suggest a book called First AID Step 2CS, and u pay to a website called USMLEWORLD to have acess to their practical cases. I recommend at least an observership in the USA clinical setting to see how they treat patients....man even the way you talk to the patient is different.

good luck

 

[LI34]

Hi am an IMG graduate from naija and really considering taking the usmle in 2011. What resources are best used in preps and where can i obtain them? Also,what is the best time prior to exam date to start studying for exams?

 

[drdrkim]

hello ,
i'm a medical student in nigeria, so i would appreciate information from anyone as to what to do to eventually do residency in the united states.

can the usmle be done from nigeria

 

[adiarycapt]

Have you thought of doing some form of residency in South Africa, which is closer to Nigeria and has similar standards as obtainable in the western world? Thereafter, you can do subspecialisation in the US. This can be alternative routes. What do u think?

 

[Qtchic1118]

Hi everyone. So I'm Nigerian, but born and raised in the States. I'm almost done with my first year in med school here, and I'm trying to craft some future plans for my medical career, and I really wish to tailor that to working and/or living in Nigeria. But one thing I'm noticing whenever I ask questions is that everyone I encounter from Nigeria is planning on transitioning their careers to the States. I know the academic opportunities here are among the best, but are people planning to relocate here indefinitely, as well. CLEARLY I am naive about a lot of things going on in Nigeria. I just don't see myself living my entire life away from my real home, and not striving to make some sort of difference there, given the opportunities that I have here. America is great--it's practically all I know--but my heart isn't with using my talents to improve this already-great society.

I was just wondering if there are things (research opps, health organizations, etc.) that people may consider endeavoring to help in Nigeria, after their medical training is complete. And if I'm just being really unrealistic, just tell me why and how. Many thanks, and good luck on achieving academic success here in the States!

 

[Rare202]

I'm a med student in Nigeria.Looking forward to writing USMLE.Pls am in urgent need of information.Information on how and where to purchase the appropriate study materials especially ihere in Nigeria.Pls contact me [email protected] OR +2348038872990. Thank you.

 

[olsmade]

Newly graduated from med skool (ibadan) and presently doing my housejob. Planning to give d steps feb/march 2012 iA. But 'll av to go d mpH route as I dont av a visa - already took d gre (1420). All d best to yall

 

[Doctor Funky]

I am starting this thread for Nigerian medical graduates who are interested in writing the USMLE. If you are a medical student or you are seeking admission into a med school, please seek out some other threads with valuable advice for you, which I don't really have.

A little about me....I am a Nigerian IMG and I graduated in 2004. I have written all my USMLE steps and presently in the midst of the 2009 residency application. I am not a US citizen or permanent resident so I am also working on getting a visa sponsorship for the residency program.
My journey so far made me realise how little we know Nigeria about the nitty-gritty details of residency application in the US. I therefore want to make it easier for you if you are in that position.

If you are seriously thinking about a residency in the US and writing the USMLE, you can post your questions or comment here. I will prefer more specific comments or questions as it relates to being a Nigerian IMG as there are enough threads on the challenges of being an IMG in general. I will try to be factual and answer only what I know about. If there is any issue I am not too familiar with, I can help source the information from better informed people.

Thank you and God bless.

Hello Abii12, I read your post "for Nigerian IMGs" and I'm sure I could learn one or two things from ur experience in the state. I am part of this focus GDP currently residing in Canada. I have had experience how difficult or near impossible it is to get into the Canadian healthcare system as a foreign trained doctor. I am about to start my Canadian exams but many IMGs I've met here are advising me not to waste my money and focussing on the USMLE. What are my chances in the state?

 

[Doctor Funky]

U can apply even with only one exams passed in september( but nowadays it is increasingly becoming difficult for International Medical Graduates to achieve that). However u need to have passed Step 1, STEP 2CS and STEP 2 CK to be able to MATCH in MARCH. It is not only an issue of passing the exams...u shd also be ECFMG certified by february...that means u have graduated and your medical school diploma has been verified with your Medical school.

However since u are fresh...i will suggest u get all these exams done before the September of the year u apply for residency. There is another exams called Step 3, you should pass it within first year of Residency, however based on the kind of visa you want sometimes u would need it before MARCH.

Note when u get a spot(what u call House Job is called an INTERN in the USA). U are on a salary between 45 and 60K a year.

Clinical exams...I suggest a book called First AID Step 2CS, and u pay to a website called USMLEWORLD to have acess to their practical cases. I recommend at least an observership in the USA clinical setting to see how they treat patients....man even the way you talk to the patient is different.

good luck

Hello Robinho, I found your explicit explanation very helpful. I'm currently in Canada and preparing to write the MCCEE but was told it's a waste of time. I was told to reconsider writing the USMLEs instead. I have a problem which is the step 1 of the exam. How did u go about it. Also what are my chances of getting a residency sport. I'll appreciate ur response and other valuable hints.

 

[Abii12]

Hello Robinho, I found your explicit explanation very helpful. I'm currently in Canada and preparing to write the MCCEE but was told it's a waste of time. I was told to reconsider writing the USMLEs instead. I have a problem which is the step 1 of the exam. How did u go about it. Also what are my chances of getting a residency sport. I'll appreciate ur response and other valuable hints.

Doctor Funky,
My apologies for not responding to all your emails. For whatever reason, I was not getting the messages. If you still need answers to your questions, please let me know and I will respond ASAP.

 

[Abii12]

I'm a med student in Nigeria.Looking forward to writing USMLE.Pls am in urgent need of information.Information on how and where to purchase the appropriate study materials especially ihere in Nigeria.Pls contact me [email protected] OR +2348038872990. Thank you.

I recommend you read the blog. I was not really getting a lot of questions on there so I have not been updating it. Add to that the rigors of general surgery residency. If you go through the blog and have questions, let me know.

 

[Marykin]

Hello! I don't know if I am writing on the right place, or addressing the right person.
I am a med student. I wish to do my house job in the US or Canada. I know it requires taking some examinations. I need some advice on how to go about it, where to enrole for training here in Nigeria, text books needed and other invaluable information.
My email address is [email protected]

Thanks.

 

[Ijay]

I recommend you read the blog. I was not really getting a lot of questions on there so I have not been updating it. Add to that the rigors of general surgery residency. If you go through the blog and have questions, let me know.

Hello..*new member* Like others, I'm also a rookie, in need of info on these matters.. bt what blog where u talking about here.?

 

[Nnamdi Valentine]

please am a 5th year med. student in nigeria. i would really need some clarification on when best to write the USMLE 1 exam, the pass rate as a student. And also issues concerning house job, can it be done in the US? Thanks and God bless you

 

[nigeriaimg]

I am currently doing my NYSC & I am about to write the Step 2CS, the truth is the USMLE is not as difficult as people think, I think the most important thing is to start preparing as soon as possible which is where many people get it wrong... Usmle Nigeria was really helpful in getting all the materials & helping with all the issues I had. To register go to ecfmg.