The USMLE “United States Medical Licensing Examination” is a three-step exam required to certify your medical degree in accordance with the U.S. residency training system
First, by taking USMLE you will build a strong foundation for your medical knowledge and a way of thinking that sets you apart from your colleagues. Your brain will be highly systematic, and this surely will benefit you as a doctor.
Second, it is a great opportunity to explore better job prospects where you feel much more valued, respected and better compensated.
Third, even if you can’t travel, passing the USMLE is still a privilege. It can boost your status and salary in your home country.
- Would it be an obstacle if I’m still an undergraduate, or would it affect my study?
The answer is NO. Many people might advise you to finish college first before starting the USMLE, and that is not necessarily true. It depends more on your circumstances and your plans. If you are not aiming for a university residency and it’s not something you’re considering, then it’s best to start as early as possible; the sooner, the better, especially if you have already decided to pursue your career abroad. So, just make your decision about which path you’ll pursue and go for it. This will not be an obstacle; on the contrary, it can help you understand your curriculum better. It will require more effort, but you can manage it by setting your priorities and balancing between both.
- Can I take it during my internship years?
As we said above, the sooner, the better. You can benefit from internship years by focusing on things beyond studying. For example, you can get benefits from your clinical rotations during internship years, you can also do research or electives that enhance your CV during the MATCH.
- How long does it take me to prepare for it?
Let’s face it, everyone is different and there is no fixed timeline. It depends on your circumstances and whether you’re 100% focused on studying USMLE or you’re busy with something else. The secret is in CONSISTENCY. Also, if you set a plan for your resources to know what you’re going to do and not to be overwhelmed, you will save more time for yourself.
So, the preparation period differs from one another, just focus on yourself and set the right time for you.
- What happens after finishing the exams? Will I immediately become a doctor in the U.S.?
Oh, how I wish it ended there but the journey has just begun, my friend. There are still a few more hoops to jump through. After finishing USMLE step 1 & 2 CK exams you need to take an English test like Occupational English Test (OET) to prove your proficiency in the language. And then, you’ll go through some steps to get the certificate for license to practice medicine in the U.S. You will apply for a residency program also known as “THE MATCH”. And during this period, you should strengthen your CV to show them the evidence that you’re worth and fit into this specialty you’ll apply to by doing electives or research.
An elective is a short-term clinical training experience in the U.S. where you travel to work in the medical specialty you plan to apply for. During this time, you may either observe or get hands-on experience with patients. Electives are also a great opportunity to build connections with doctors, which can help you later when applying for residency, especially if they agree to write you a letter of recommendation.
It is not mandatory, but it’ll be better if you find someone to guide you through your journey. With their experience and knowledge, they will save you time and effort.
ABCDE provides a mentorship program to equip medical graduates with the skill and knowledge needed to excel in U.S. residency/fellowship match. Learn more about ABCDE mentorship
We’ve talked about the USMLE in a nutshell, just a brief overview to answer common questions that come to mind. We’ll go through each detail in further posts. Stay tuned and keep following ABCDE to find out more!
By: Omnia Samy El-Shabrawy