quick guide to usmle : 5

Costs

USMLE 1 $660+140
USMLE 2ck $660+155
(USMLE 3 $570 + travel [only if H-visa sought])
USMLE 2cs $1200 + travel
ERAS $185
NRMP $90
State license $240
Interviews $1000 + travel
ESTIMATED TOTAL $5,000 + travel to the US (two trips if H-visa sought - one for USMLE 3, one for CSA with interviews)

What about Observerships?

Many residency programs look for letters of recommendation from American physicians when reviewing applications. Medical students can get these when they are on electives in US hospitals. It is harder for those who already have their medical degree, since observerships are much less developed that electives.

If you are thinking of trying to come and experience American medical practice as an observer for a few weeks, the best thing to do is to contact the departmental head of your preferred specialty at a hospital that interests you. Your letter should contain an introduction about you, and go on to explain what you hope to achieve by spending time in an American Hospital. You could talk about exploring differences in educational strategies, in medical practice, or system organization. I would not specifically allude to objectives such as getting letters of recommendation or applying to residency. Assure the departmental head that you will obtain your own liability insurance. You should include a copy of your curriculum vitae and a photo. If possible, use contacts from home. If you don’t hear back, make personal contact with email or telephone.

When should I go?

This is a tough question and there is no “right” answer. What is certain is that if you want to get registered with the Board of the Speciality that interests you, you must do all your training from PGY-1 (post-graduate year one) to speciality in the USA. So for example if you aspire to cardiology and be able to practice as a cardiologist in the USA you must spend 3 years of Internal Medicine Residency followed by 4 years of Cardiology Fellowship. While you can do your basic medical training in your home country and join a US fellowship, you will not be able then to practice as a Cardiologist, as you cannot be ‘board certified’ without completing a residency first. The point to remember is that if you just want to spend 4 years training in the USA, you can just go over for a fellowship - while if you want to practice in the USA you have to go over for the whole lot.

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