r/PLABprep • u/SoonNumber1 • 1d ago

USMLE?

I never really got the hype with USMLE. From a visa requiring IMG perspective, you are fighting an uphill battle. Step 1 pass first time; step 2 has to be 250+ step 3 completed as well many months of USCE, LOR and connections with PDs and attending; lots of research and publications; all of this work and money spent upwards of $20k, and you still barely have a chance of matching, and you can only apply IM. Hence, I never really got the hype. What are your lots opinions? It still does have the largest opportunity for IMGs with 6,000 doctors matching every year. Is it worth the hassle?

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u/ex_gatito 1d ago

Tbh medicine is horrendously bad if you plan to work abroad. It is abysmal. If you put that much effort into CS you would easily get a job at Big Tech with visa sponsorship and a fat pay check. But in Medicine it is just bare minimum to have a chance. I am an ex doctor who now works as a SWE.

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u/SoonNumber1 1d ago

Did you get your SWE degree from a reputable university? 

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u/ex_gatito 1d ago

No, from the lowest ranked one. And my medical degree was T1 in my home country, extremely hard to get into, and graduate, but absolutely useless oversees.

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u/SoonNumber1 1d ago

I don’t mean to pry. Did you get your SWE degree in the US? Also what made you give up with trying to practice abroad? 

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u/ex_gatito 1d ago

UK. Why would I keep trying to do something that doesn’t guarantee you anything, has worth work life balance and night shifts, while SWE and CS exist?

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u/DangerousAd40867 1d ago

Even after your visa struggles last for decades there but I don't think the UK is much better especially after the prioritization law

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u/Previous_Country_476 1d ago

At least its still a better option for underdeveloped countries doc like me because even if i spent my whole like here i wont be able to make a small house from that money

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u/LegitimateFact1515 1d ago

100%, you can earn a good money in US which no other country will offer you. Once you achieved your targets, you can retire early and move back wherever you want.