By Guest on Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Posted in Match Center
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Hello fellow students and Doctor,

I wanted to post on the forum asking about the chances of a Caribbean med student wanting to go into orthopedic surgery? Is there a chance for cIMGs applicants to make it in orthopedics.

My own school is a mid level med school with many residents/doctors in other specialties (FM, IM, OB/GYN, etc). I am writing my steps in the coming months as well and have no previous research experience.

P.S. Would being a part of a research project for a year or two help my chances post graduation?
While it's not impossible for a Caribbean student to match into orthopaedics, it takes an enormous effort to secure a spot. Of the few I know of, they all did multiple research years after graduating (between 2 and 4 years off). They had great board scores and grades. Dozens of publications. Worked crazy hours during their research years (6 days a week, 10-14 hour days). And for all of that, most of them got 1 or 2 interviews. They said they had some friends who were not so lucky, and never matched.

Honestly, in my opinion, it's not worth the risk and the emotional and physical investment. I give a ton of credit to the Caribbean students who matched into orthopaedics, but they are the exception and not the rule.

If you like surgery and/or sports medicine, matching into general surgery or PM&R is much more attainable for a Caribbean grad.
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10 years ago
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An option to consider is to try to transfer to a US school to finish your med school. Possible, but also a challenge as well.
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10 years ago
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