I study in Europe, so according to most of the program web-sites, I must present a valid ECFMG certificate at the time of my application. This sounds stange to me, as most my my classmates are convinced they may apply in November of their final year, while such a certificate will only be produced after the final diploma has been confirmed!

In other words, I will have to wait (be in agony) for an extra year, just because of studpid paperwork, or have I got it all wrong?