USMLE Prep EduXpert

In a nutshell, the process to get into residency in the U.S. is as follows:

• Apply to Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). You will get an eligibility period assigned to complete United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• Apply for USMLE
• Pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge), and Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills)
• Obtain ECFMG certificate (by passing the USMLE tests above)
• Apply for residency through a centralized system (National Resident Matching Program/NRMP): starting September each year
• Interview for residency programs: October until February
• Rank the residency programs you have been interviewed at: deadline in February
• Match day: third Friday of March each year
• Start residency: July 1st each year in most programs

Yes, as long as the medical school you graduate from is listed in International Medical Education Directory (IMED).

The first two websites I’d suggest are Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

There are 3 tests that you need to pass to be able to apply to residency programs: USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS. Step 1 tests your knowledge in pre-clinical science (anatomy, physiology, pathology, etc.), and Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) tests your knowledge in clinical science (internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, etc.). As the name implies, Step 2 CS (Clinical Skill) tests your clinical skills, which include history taking, physical examination, communication, and most importantly, interpersonal relation using standardized patients. It also serves as an evaluation tool for your English.

Once you are in residency program, you also need to pass Step 3 in your first year, which is similar to Step 2 CK with addition of simulated cases. Some people take Step 3 before starting residency, which in my opinion is a smart decision because it takes a significant burden from your first year of residency, which undoubtedly will be very busy. In addition, passing Step 3 is needed if you want to apply for H1B visa. Information about each specific test can be found on USMLE website.

The answer depends on the specialty. Most of the primary care specialties such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology have a 3-year residency program. Once you finish the residency training, you can go into practice or pursue further subspecialty training. To subspecialize, there are fellowship programs that vary in length. In pediatrics, for example, most subspecialties require 2-3 years of additional training.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), you will be on J1 or H1B visa when you do your residency. If you prepare for the tests in Indonesia or other country, you will need a visitor visa when you take the Step 2 Clinical Skill exam or come for residency interviews.

However, if you prepare for the tests in the U.S., you can be on any types of visa at that time, as long as you maintain valid status of your visa. For example, I was on F2 visa (dependent of a student) when I was preparing for the tests since I came to the U.S. as my husband’s dependent.

There are advantages and disadvantages for each of these visa types. Considering the complexity of the this topic, it will be better explained in a separate discussion.

You have several options, with their own advantages and disadvantages. First, you can always study on your own, although I recommend having USMLE targeted books to guide your studying. It has the advantage of being the least expensive. However, you need to be very consistent with your study schedule. Second, you can take online courses available from various sources, which may result in a considerable cost. Third, you can enroll in a course held by test preparation centers to intensively study for the USMLE, which is usually the most expensive option. However, it has the advantage of a set time limit to study, which will help to focus all your effort for the tests. I chose the third option, which I think was an investment worth every penny. On the other hand, I also have friends who did well by studying on their own, or by studying with someone who was enrolled in a course held by a test preparation center.

Explore your study style and financial resource, and choose the method that will suit you the most! If you decide to enroll in a course held by a test preparation center, Kaplan is one of the most well known for USMLE.

After you pass Step 1, 2 CK, and 2 CS, you will be ECFMG certified, which means that you will be able to apply to residency programs through NRMP (National Resident Matching Program). The residency programs you apply to will decide whether they want to invite you for interview based on your application package. Needless to say that higher USMLE scores open more doors. After the interviews, you will rank the programs you have interviewed at, and the programs will also rank the applicants they have interviewed. NRMP is the organization that “matches” the applicant’s rank order list with the programs’, which will result in a match.

The short answer is yes, but you need to do a special adaptation program (between 6 months to 2 years) available at several universities in Indonesia. I have to admit that I don’t know enough about this issue. I will share the information once I obtain more of it.

The short answer is yes, but you need to do a special adaptation program (between 6 months to 2 years) available at several universities in Indonesia. I have to admit that I don’t know enough about this issue. I will share the information once I obtain more of it.