Tag: advice

Financial Costs of Applying for a U.S. Medical Residency

Foreign medical graduates (and U.S. allopathic seniors alike) should be aware of the various fees associated with applying for medical school. Many of these fees are less than $100, but they can add up over time. In this article, we outline some of the expenses associated with applying for U.S. medical residencies.

ECFMG Certification

In order to be considered for the NRMP match program, foreign medical graduates must receive ECFMG certification. One of the largest expenses associated with this program is the examination fees. The ECFMG breaks down the fees as follows:

  • $75: Application for Certification
  • $895: Step 1 Examination
  • $895: Step 2 CK
  • $1550: Step 2 CS

These costs are the basic ones associated with ECFMG certification. However, there are additional costs that foreign medical graduates may incur. There are fees associated with taking the Step 1 and Step 2 CK in a country other than the U.S. The Step 2 CS must occur in the U.S., so foreign medical graduates should be aware of the travel costs associated with taking the test.

Clinical Clerkships

Many U.S. medical residencies require applicants to complete U.S. clinical clerkships. These clerkships can range from 3 months to 6 months and can rotate the foreign medical graduate among various specialties. A 1995 study estimated that these kinds of clerkships cost between $1000 and $2100 USD. Costs are likely to have increased since the study was completed. Foreign medical graduates should also be aware of the costs of relocating temporarily for the clinical clerkship. Some U.S. cities, like New York City, have an expensive standard of living.

National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)

The NRMP is a program that matches U.S. medical residencies to medical graduates. Both the graduates and the residencies rank their preferences. Then an algorithm matches the graduates to the residencies. Participation in this program costs $75, according to the NRMP. There is an additional $50 late fee if the fee is paid after November 30.

Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

ERAS is a U.S. service that transmits residency applications to program directors. Many medical residencies require that applications are submitted through ERAS. To apply for up to 10 medical residencies, ERAS costs $99. Additional applications are charged per application according to the following rates:

  • 11 – 20: $12 each
  • 21 – 30: $16 each
  • 31 or more: $26 each

The costs of applying for a U.S. medical residency can quickly add up. Although the examinations and relocation/travel expenses are probably the largest costs to incur, other registration fees add up to hundreds of dollars. Knowing the costs ahead of time can help foreign medical graduates prepare for a successful U.S. medical residency application.

Preparing for a U.S. Medical Residency Interview

Although many U.S. allopathic seniors have a chance to complete mock interviews at their medical schools, some foreign medical graduates may not be fully prepared for the interview process. Completing all the required medical exams and meeting the basic requirements for acceptance is an important first step. However, it does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also impress the interviewer. In this article, we’ll outline how foreign medical graduates can prepare themselves for a successful interview.

Review your own background

Interviewers often ask questions about a graduate’s past experiences. While many graduates can talk confidently about past experiences, reviewing them prior to the interview can be helpful. Perhaps you had forgotten about that volunteer experience you completed three years ago. Reviewing your background can bring more memories to the surface. Then you will be prepared when the interviewer asks a question about your experience.

Research your chosen specialty

At a U.S. medical residency, you will be interviewing for a particular specialty. Having extensive knowledge of this specialty is likely to impress the interviewer. To prepare, keep up to date on the latest developments in your selected specialty. You can subscribe to journals on the specialty or even just set up a Google Alert to send you notifications of new developments. Interviewers may ask your opinion on major issues facing the specialty and this research will help you provide a valuable response.

Research your chosen program

Interviewers will likely ask why you chose the specific school program. Knowledge about the program will help you develop a good answer. For example, the program may be ranked highly. This is a somewhat generic answer, however, and greater specificity will reveal how much you researched the program. A more specific answer would be because you want to work with a specific doctor who is an expert in a procedure that you would like to learn. The second answer, which demonstrates how much research you did, is more likely to impress an interviewer.

Matching with a U.S. medical residency requires more than a stellar resume and high scores on the ECFMG examinations. While the resume and exam scores will get you in the door, you will also have to impress the interviewers. Being knowledgeable about your own experience, your chosen specialty and the interviewing program itself is likely to impress interviewers. When it comes time for the medical residency to rank possible candidates for the match, you want them to rank you toward the top.