Is USMLE worth writing?

[Omave]

Hi
If you're interested in taking the USMLE and applying for a residency program in Obstetrics and gynecology, what's the probability of getting in, especially if you're from an African country, what are the problems encountered, and which is easier to get a placement in, Psychiatry or Obstetrics and Gynaecology?

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[Animalcules]

Hi
If you're interested in taking the USMLE and applying for a residency program in Obstetrics and gynecology, what's the probability of getting in, especially if you're from an African country, what are the problems encountered, and which is easier to get a placement in, Psychiatry or Obstetrics and Gynaecology?

1. Attend and graduate from medical school
2. Do extremely well, research helps
3. Make sure you have clinical experience in the US (hands-on, large academic center, sub-I preferred), otherwise the best USMLE score won't get you very far
4. Take the USMLEs and ace them
5. Apply for residency (read around SDN what that entails, it is a lot of work), interview, rank
6. Hope for the best

FMGs have a much harder time getting into a residency than AMGs, some residencies are easier to get/ less competitive. Surgical specialties including GYN tend to be harder to get than non-surgical ones including psychiatry. You will find that competitiveness correlates with potential income in the US.

 

[AnalisCanalis]

Matching rates for IMGs can be found in the following link: http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Charting-Outcomes-IMGs-2016.pdf

With psychiatry increasing in competitiveness the last few years I'd say it's almost as competitive as OBGYN. You would have an easier time trying for IM, FM, or pediatrics.