1. PREPARING FOR THE MATCH 2008 INFORMATION & PLANNING NOT DESIGNED TO GUARANTEE SUCCESS. RATHER, THIS MAY BE USED AS A TEMPLATE WHERE ANY APPLICABLE INFORMATION MAY BE USED TO PREPARE THE FOURTH YEAR U.S. INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE (USIMG).

2. APRIL – MAY 2007  Apply for Step 2 CS & CK  www.ecfmg.org www.ecfmg.org USMLE STEP 2 CK (2-part interactive web application - IWA)  1. Online application – electronic info  *ONLINE APPLICATION ID CODE IS DIFFERENT FROM USMLE/ECFMG ID.  2. Certification Statement - Form 183 – check with school, send via mail.  *RECOMMEND SENDING VIA CERTIFIED MAIL  Form 183-E: Eligibility Period extension. 2-part also. Pay attention to deadline dates.

3. APRIL – MAY 2007  USMLE Step 2 CS: Begins June 16, 2007 If registered for Step 2 CS, ask for PIPE (pre-implementation pilot exam). It is free and gives you an idea of the actual CS. Feedback given, results will not count. Applicants select a test center, but exam date & location are subject to availability. Apply promptly.

4. ONLINE VERIFICATION  You can verify the status of your ECFMG financial account on-line using ECFMG's On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS).OASIS  http://oasis.ecfmg.org/  Take several passport-size photos  4-6 photos (for future use)

5. CS EVALUATION CENTERS  Clinical Skills Evaluation Center - Atlanta Two Crown Center 1745 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30349  Clinical Skills Evaluation Center - Chicago Crossroads Center at O'Hare 6th Floor 8501 West Higgins Road Chicago, IL 60018  Clinical Skills Evaluation Center - Houston 400 North Belt 400 North Sam Houston Parkway, Suite 700 Houston, TX 77060  Clinical Skills Evaluation Center - Los Angeles Pacific Corporate Towers 13th Floor 100 North Sepulveda Boulevard El Segundo, CA 90245  Clinical Skills Evaluation Center - Philadelphia 3624 Market Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104  APPLICANTS SELECT A TEST CENTER, BUT EXAM DATE & LOCATION SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. APPLY PROMPTLY.

6. MAY 2007  Start collecting letters of recommendation (LORs)  Begin plan to study for Step 2 CK, CS Kaplan: 1 800 533-8850  Ask for group discount (i.e. WHMC – 20%) Plan electives, check typical day schedules, call schedules (if any).  Request form for Dean’s Letter  Forward completed form, CV, LORs & personal statement (due 5/28/) for UMHS.

7. JUNE – JULY 2007  Finalize plans for Step 2 CK & CS Typical target date for CK: September By this period, earliest CS schedule will be November. Continue with study plan. Map out a time line. Highlight exams, interview period, NRMP dates & graduation eligibility date.

8. AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2007  Prepare for Step 2 CK Do practice exams/ modules. Maintain mental, emotional & physical well-being.  Take Step 2 CK Good luck! Good luck!  REGISTER for NRMP (the ‘MATCH’) www.aamc.org/nrmp or www.nrmp.org www.aamc.org/nrmpwww.nrmp.org  ERAS Post Office opens September 5.

9. ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm. www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm ERAS 2007 will be used by most residency programs in anesthesiology, dermatology, diagnostic radiology, emergency medicine, emergency medicine/internal medicine, family practice, internal medicine, internal medicine/family practice, internal medicine/pediatrics, internal medicine/physical medicine & rehabilitation, internal medicine/psychiatry, nuclear medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopaedic surgery, pathology, pediatrics, pediatrics/emergency medicine, pediatrics/physical medicine & rehabilitation, pediatrics/psychiatry/child psychiatry, plastic surgery (PGY1 positions only), physical medicine & rehabilitation (physical medicine & rehabilitation, physiatry), psychiatry, radiation oncology, surgery, transitional year, urology, and military programs.  $75 ECFMG Token Fee $60 ERAS Processing Fee $50 USMLE™ Transcript Fee $90 NRMP Application Fee

10. AUGUST – OCTOBER 2007  Research residency programs www.scutwork.com www.valueMD.com www.ama-assn.org/FRIEDA www.acgme.org  Track Match history with IMGs. Use FRIEDA.  Track Program performance record. Check accreditation length in ACGME.  For H-1 & J-1 applicants, research H-1/J-1 sponsoring institutions. Try applying for clerkship rotations at these IMG- friendly institutions.

11. OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2007  Request transcripts from your school Review all grades Request official transcripts to be sent to ERAS  Receipt of student copy of Dean’s Letter [a/k/a MSPE]: Request official letter/MSPE to be sent to ERAS  Do not forget to send any applicable FEES!  USMLE transcripts: Do not pay to ECFMG. Pay to MyERAS  www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm. www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm

12. December 2007 – Jan/Feb 2008  Go on interviews. Send response via fax or email to schedule interview. Dress code: Business attire. Common suit colors: Black, Navy, Charcoal. Do background research on institution, program & program officials. Read about ACGME Outcome Project. OK to talk about interests except politics & religion. Relax, maintain poise under pressure. Financing: Apply for MedEx loan.  Send ‘thank you’ letters. Simple cards, emails OK. Send to specific program officials. Do not send to a department.  Rejection Send acknowledgement of correspondence. Communicate interest in the programs. ‘Don’t burn bridges’  Second Looks Re-visit program, review contract if offered outside the Match. Pre- match commitment means signing out of NRMP. *ASK FOR COPY OF CONTRACT OF ANY PROGRAM YOU CHOOSE TO RANK. THIS IS NRMP POLICY.

13. Type of Program (PGY-1/2)  Program Types: Categorical – programs that begin in the PGY-1 year and provide the training required for board certification in medical specialties. Advanced – programs that begin in the PGY 2 year after year of prerequisite training. Preliminary – one-year programs beginning in the PGY 1 that provide prerequisite training for advanced programs.

14. February – March 2008  Email or call programs, express your interest.  Submit rank list in February 2008.  MATCH DAY – in March 2008 Monday: Matched applicants will be notified by email. Tue/Wed: List of available positions will be made available. Post-Match race begins! Thursday: Matched applicants will be notified of matched programs. Friday: Appointment letters sent to new post- graduate trainees!

15. San Francisco Match  www.sfmatch.org www.sfmatch.org  Residency Positions: Neurological Surgery, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery  Phone: 415-447-0350  Fax: 415-561-8535  Email: help@sfmatch.orghelp@sfmatch.org  Mail: PO Box 7584, San Francisco, CA 94120  Overnight Mail: 655 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109  Match: January 2008

16. ECFMG info  Permits: permits@ecfmg.orgpermits@ecfmg.org  Credential Status: credentials@ecfmg.orgcredentials@ecfmg.org  General Inquiries: info@ecfmg.orginfo@ecfmg.org  OASIS support: oasis@ecfmg.orgoasis@ecfmg.org  Telephone: (215) 386-5900  Fax: (215) 386-9196  Address: 3624 Market Street, 4 th Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19104

17. Important Dates  JUL 10 ECFMG will e-mail Tokens to all applicants who have made on-line Token requests and who have at least $75 in their ECFMG financial ("OASIS") accounts.  JUL 11 ECFMG will begin e-mailing Tokens every business day to fulfill requests entered and paid for during the previous day.  JUL 17 MyERAS, at www.myeras.aamc.org opens, and you can use your Token to login and start working on your application. You may also send us your documents for scanning.www.myeras.aamc.org  AUG* Registration for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), or "the Match", opens on the NRMP website.NRMP website  SEP 5 The ERAS Post Office opens. You can start transmitting your Common Application Form (CAF), Profile, and Personal Statement(s) to the ERAS Post Office.  SEP 6 ECFMG/ERAS starts to transmit supporting documents that have been scanned.  SEP 7 The Applicant Document Tracking System (ADTS) opens. The ADTS allows you to monitor the transmission status of your application and documents.  SEP 7 ECFMG continues to scan and transmit documents every business day until May 30, 2008. ECFMG continues to update/transmit Status Reports and USMLE Transcripts every business day until May 30, 2008.  NOV 4 Dean's Letters/MSPEs are released by the ERAS Post Office, regardless of when they were originally transmitted to the PostOffice by ECFMG.  NOV - DEC Program directors start their applicant selection process.DEC* Match registration deadline.  2008FEB* Rank Order Lists / withdrawals / other pertinent information to the Match.  MAR* Results of Match announced.

18. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 1. How does applicant relate to other people? Is s/he comfortable to be with? Can s/he be open about himself? Can s/he ask the kinds of questions necessary to make a good choice? On the other hand, is s/he closed to questions about her/his life and goals? Does s/he provide rigidly stereotyped answers? Is s/he so anxious you wonder how s/he will be able to sit in a room with patients, family members and resident peers?

19. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 2. What does the applicant expect from the residency will s/he whine about working hard? Program Director should follow up on any hints in the dean’s letter that the applicant avoided ‘scut work’ on clinical clerkships. Also, Program Director should listen closely for any comments by applicant about ‘unfair’ residents or attending physicians.

20. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 3. What is the applicant’s real interest in the specialty, program, city? Is s/he unsure about the specialty choice and likely to leave? Is it a food fit? Are there personal or family reasons why s/he cannot or will not come to your city to train?

21. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 4. Can the applicant communicate clearly her/his needs, hopes and wants? This question is important in determining whether IMGs have sufficient language skills to understand patients and be clearly understood. Also important to determine whether U.S. applicants will be direct in asking for what they want rather than holding their concerns in and storing up hostility.

22. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 5. How does the applicant feel about being a physician? 6. What were the applicant’s research and teaching experiences like? What role did s/he play in projects and publications? 7. What past leadership positions has the applicant held and how might her/his leadership skills be used in the residency and afterward?

23. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 8. How has the applicant handled stress in the past? Can the applicant explain hints in the transcript or dean’s letter about difficulties experienced that suggest problems? 9. Is the applicant willing to own up to what s/he does not know? Ask applicant whether s/he was ever over her/his head and needed a consultation. If s/he can honestly admit that s/he can reach a limit of her/his knowledge and has more learn, it is less likely that s/he will be an unsafe resident who will harm patients to avoid acknowledging a stage-appropriate lack of knowledge, skill or experience.

24. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 10. How is applicant likely to behave when working collaboratively with fellow residents? 11. How will applicant interact with others? Is s/he sensitive to others’ needs, and how comfortable will be vulnerable, sick patients feel around her/him?

25. 12 areas which Program Directors use in gathering baseline information on applicants during the residency selection process (screening & interviews): 12. Also important to get information about the applicant’s family and important relationships. Listen to how s/he speaks about her/his parents and other important people. Is there respect, regard, and warmth and if not is there clear reason for disdain? This line of inquiry provides an idea of how the applicant will treat others.

26. Immigration Notes  H1B Professional Visa IMGs can obtain H-1B status for clinical residency, as well as attending positions, provided they have passed all THREE parts of the USMLE and have obtained ECFMG certification. If individuals are in the US past the authorized stay (B-1/B- 2/F-1), or if the effective date of employment is past the authorized time of stay, USCIS will approve the petition, but deny a request to change status to H-1B status and not grant employment authorization with the approved petition. Individual will have to apply for an H-1B visa in their country of legal residence. It may be possible to obtain the H-1B visa in a country other than the IMGs home country. Approval of H-1B petition with employment authorization, change of status or extension of status does not guarantee readmittance to the US. The most common exceptions are Canadian citizens who are presently exempt from obtaining visas prior to admission to the United States. PREMIUM PROCESSING – USCIS will adjudicate H-1B petition within 10 business days, upon the payment of an additional filing fee of $1000. Regular processing averages 3-4 months.

27. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa  General Eligibility & Requirements  Foreign national physicians seeking J-1 sponsorship to enroll in programs of graduate medical education (GME) or training in the United States must fulfill a number of general requirements, which are detailed in the application materials. At a minimum, applicants must:  Have passed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination™ (USMLE™) [and/or an acceptable combination of components of the former Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in the Medical Sciences (FMGEMS), the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) Part sequence, or the Visa Qualifying Examination (VQE)]; Hold a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate at commencement of training; Hold a contract or an official letter of offer for a position in an accredited program of graduate medical education or training that is affiliated with a medical school;  Provide a Statement of Need from the Ministry of Health of the country of last legal permanent residence, regardless of country of citizenship. This statement provides written assurance that the country needs physicians trained in the proposed specialty and/or subspecialty. It also serves to confirm the applicant physician's commitment to return to that country upon completion of training in the United States, as required by Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.  Exchange visitors (J-1 visa)  Every foreign physician on a J-1 visa sponsored by the ECFMG for the purpose of clinical medical training is subject to the two year home residency requirement.