There were about 15,892 U.S. medical graduates in 1999, and there were 22,584 total residency positions available, that means that the difference of 6,692 spots were available to the "Independent Applicant pool". This pool includes U.S. D.O. graduates, Canadian medical school graduates, and all foreign grads all over the world (IMG's), regardless if they are a U.S. citizen, Canadian citizen or a citizen of any other country. In 1999 a total of 20,164 Independent Applicants were competing for those remaining 6,692 spots. Many schools place their students in clinicals (rotations) in affiliated hospitals in the United States during the third and fourth year. Therefore, those schools medical students are at a far greater advantage when competing with other IMG's for U.S. residency positions. Residency programs tend to feel more comfortable with students that have been trained in a U.S. hospital and are familiar with basic procedures and technology. This also gives these medical students the benefit of establishing contacts and friendships with the Doctors and supervisors during the clinical years. Those people will not only write your letters of reference but can aid you in obtaining a position in a U.S. residency program. Directory of Off-Shore Medical Schools : |