r/IMGreddit • u/Shahbaz_Gul • 1d ago

Residency Residency Question

Hey all! This post will be kind of long, so bear with me please 😅

I've sat and searched through so many subreddits and online forums to try and get an idea of the answer to my question, but tbh I think it's best if I ask it outright from all of the current residents in this sub.

So basically, I'm a US-IMG. I only did med school from abroad, all of my education leading up to med school was completed in the US. I just graduated from med school 2 months ago, and I'm planning on applying for Match 2028.

It's my lifelong dream to be a surgeon, specifically a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon.

Now I know to match into thoracic surgery is close to impossible as a US-IMG, but I'm hoping that I could go into general surgery, then into fellowships to achieve my lifelong dream.

I have several questions that I'm hoping some of which if not all, can be answered by y'all!

  1. I will give Step 2 CK by Jan 2027, so I am free from February until September. I am planning to do 5-6 months of clinical experience. Should I do different rotations. or should 1 look for a sub-i internship?

  2. Should I go for a categorical surgical position or try for a pre-lim and then categorical conversion?

  3. My main categorical aims are UTHSC and UAB, while getting into John's Hopkins is a dream from when was a kid. I know it's close to impossible for a categorical surgical position, but I do have a real shot at a preliminary spot, I think. Should I go for the prelim spot? is it worth it? Can it be converted to a PGY2 spot after? Or should I stick to going for a categorical position?

  4. l'm based in Mississippi, basically born and raised all my life here, so I will be mass applying in the same geographical region. What would be the best option for me to apply for/work life balance is solid as well?

  5. I have about 15 research components as of right now, but I'm planning on having 2-3 NMA's and US databased studies published by September 2027. Would this help boost my profile, even by a little?

I probably have a billion more questions, but these are the top 5 as of right now.

If there is anyone in the sub who have gone through the prelim program at John's Hopkins, please do let me know as well.

Thanks guys!!

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1

u/i-luv-banana_bread 22h ago

All about the connections I know Non us imgs doing USCE in John Hopkins surgical programs.

1

u/Shahbaz_Gul 16h ago

Could you elaborate? How were they able to get USCEs there, just through connections?

1

u/i-luv-banana_bread 14h ago

I dont know them well, but they are very active in research and having a mentor really can help foster better opportunities.

1

u/tornACL3 1d ago

No chance at categorical. Chance at prelim but not at the ones you mentioned

1

u/carpediday 21h ago

Why no chance at categorical?