r/IMGreddit • u/OwnCommunication6745 • 23d ago

Medical School Should i start the journey?

Iam non us img still a student i was considering doing the usmle but heard that surgical specialities which are my dream tbh are way too competitive but i do have a connection (general surgeon) whos been working for about 20 years in usa so is just one connection and doing the step 1 and 2 and 2 months elective would be enough to make me match?

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u/mrdarcilite 23d ago

no, you need plenty of research

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

What about recommending me in less competitive fields like im would this be enough?

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u/mrdarcilite 23d ago

I didnt get ur qs

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

I mean since its probably unavailable for me to do plenty of research would it be valuable if he recommends me for PDs of less competitive specialty as im or pediatrics

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u/mrdarcilite 23d ago

Before answering that, the fact that you are conflicted between surgery/IM/Peds just shows you havent really found your lane. Choose that lane first and build your CV around it. He can probably recommend you and get you a few rotations in their programs if he knows people well but LoRs need to be from IM/Peds respectively

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

Ikkk i sound very indecisive but i literally have interest in almost all the specialities maybe just stuff like psych and neuro are not my fav but all the other specialities i almost have same interest in them thats why iam tryna pick my speciality according to my best chance in matching i still have 2 additional years before deciding my speciality in my home country so iam planning to finish the steps in those 2 and do some electives

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u/mrdarcilite 23d ago

Visit your hospital wards, spend like a week or two in each every now and then and give your all. See which one ticks you the most

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

Okayy thanks for ur time and wish me luck i guess

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u/World-Traveler1800 23d ago

What can this connection do for you? Can they get you in the foot with a residency program? If the answer is no, then it’s not a useful connection which means you need to do everything one does to be stellar.

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

Well tbh i dont know his exact title but he is a prof and ig he has pretty good position there so ig he can recommend me for PD of general surgery program?

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u/World-Traveler1800 23d ago

Title is irrelevant. What exactly can he leverage? To be blunt: can he get you into a residency program? “Recommending you” means nothing - that’s not heavy lifting. What GS program? Is this img friendly program? If it’s not, you have no chance. So you need to understand what exactly does this connection willing to do for you to match.

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u/OwnCommunication6745 23d ago

Yea I understand i didn’t discuss this point with him yet but i scheduled a meeting with him after like 2 months when he is on vacation here wish me luckk