Here are the most common questions that VMGUS received.

1. What are the benefits that I can have from VMGUS?

VMGUS ultimate goals are to bring knowledge and opportunities for you. Therefore, the first benefit is your medical English knowledge. You will see the ways that U.S. medical schools train doctors here. If you're serious and self-motivated, you can become a resident member and take USMLE Steps, then apply to US residency.

Some benefits if you're matched into US residency
- You will go to the USA for training
- You are on the way to become a U.S. licensed physician
- You will get paid about 38,000-40,000 USD per year. Keep in mind that U.S. medical graduates have about 150,000-200,000 in debt for medical school loan while you do not own anything.
- You will have the opportunities to pursue fellowships in medical subspecialties
- Chance to become a permanent resident (then US citizen) and stay in the US (this is up to you)

2. The program sounds interesting to me, but I don't want to give up everything I have now and risk my future. If I stay in Vietnam, I will have a job. What do you think?

You don't have to risk anything. We don't want you to give up whatever you have now and study like crazy for step 1. VMGUS would like you to keep doing whatever you doing now but put some extra time to study medical English and Step 1. By doing so, it would help you in both medical knowledge and English. This is a win-win situation. It's realistic and managable if you are studying a bit every week and participate forum regularly.

3. I graduated several years ago from medical school; do I still qualify for the program?

Yes. You are still eligible to apply for residency training. However, most medical school prefers recent graduates (less than 5 years). If you are an extraordinary applicant with excellent board scores (USMLE scores) plus other extracurricular research activities, we think you are still a solid candidate.

4. Does VMGUS open for everyone? I'm not good in English, can I join?

Yes. VMGUS program is open for anyone who is interested in learning US medical knowledge. All levels of medical knowledge are welcome. For those who are serious about US residencies or higher medical education, VMGUS has a section, resident member, for them.

VMGUS welcomes all levels of English too. You don't have to be a superstar in English to join us. One of VMGUS's main goals is to facilitate learning medical English. As long as you can read simple English, you're welcome to join.

5. Do I need to graduate from the ten medical schools in Vietnam in VMGUS program?

Yes. Currently, ECFMG recognizes only these schools for the purpose of certificate. If you are graduating from any other medical schools in Vietnam, you're not eligible to be certified by ECFMG but you're still welcome to joint VMGUS. You are not eligible for US residency.

6. How long does it take VMGUS member to match into US residency?

It depends on the applicant. From our experience with other IMGs who matched into US residencies, it takes any where from 3 to 4 years to match. Keep in mind that you have to apply 1 year before the year you intend to begin residency. VMGUS estimates 2-3 years for recent Vietnamese Medical Graduates to match.

7. You mentioned the word “match” a lot. What does that mean?

After third year in medical school, U.S. medical students apply to residency via a national matching system called National Resident Match Program. They will know where they go for post-doctoral training (residency) in March during the last year. Match means “accepted” or “get into" the program.We hope you will “match” when you join VMGUS.

8. How difficult it is to get into US residency?

It is difficult to get into US residency, even with the less competitive ones. Any IMGs in the world can apply to US residencies and every year, there are an increasing numbers of IMG apply to US residencies. However, it is obtainable if you are work hard enough. Currently, 25% US physicians are IMGs.

9. What are the general requirements?

You must have a time to study with us. Many VMGUS members are interested at first, then they do not schedule their time and they wane the goal eventually. You do not have to study 4 hours per day, but a small 30 minutes review consistently per day will definitely help. Other technical requirements are internet connection with speaker and mircophone. VMGUS materials are e-books in PDF and audio tapes. You should have a strong commitment to learning. US residency is not your final destination but rather a life time learning commitment is what we are expecting from you.

Resident membership, for those who are serious in applying US residency, has some special requirements. A detail of these requirements are in our main forum.

10. I heard that there are some USMLE prepared courses offered in the US such as Kaplan or Princeton Review. Should I sign up for these courses instead of VMGUS?

Yes. There are USMLE prepared courses for international students from Kaplan and Princeton Review. However, they are expensive (from several hundreds to thousands). Also, there is no guarantee that you will match.

Joining VMGUS is free. Our recommendation is you should start with VMGUS first to have some ideas about US medical system. Once you're familiar with the system then sign up for Kaplan or Princeton course seems more appropriate.

11. What is unique about VMGUS?

We are non-profit organization. Our administrator team already took or would take the real USMLE step 1,2, or 3 tests. We are applying US medical school curriculum's components such as Problem Based Learning (PBL) or Case discussion in our program.

VMGUS also incorporates ACGME, the main organization supervises graduate medical education, competency standards into its learning goals.

12. Now I'm ready, where I can sign up for VMGUS?

Go to our main forum.