<p>I tried posting something very similar…</p>
<p>BDM is close enough with the numbers, though I’m unsure about the 50% of the original 60% as the pass rates given for USMLE are just on those passing the first time. US 2nd years as a comparison pass USMLE on the first try at about a 93% clip, so there’s a very big difference. The stats I’ve seen for IMG retesters are not even as good as the initial 60% pass rate. </p>
<p>Considering that USMLE Scores are one of the biggest components of determining what residency one can enter, the fact that so many IMG’s don’t even pass it doesn’t bode well for getting a high score necessary for competitive fields like the one BlueDevilMike listed.</p>
<p>Now, if you don’t mind staying in the county in which you go to school, it’s probably not that big of deal, but coming to the US will continue to remain difficult, as you will still have to pass USMLE exams for medical licensure in the States.</p>
<p>I was also going to ask if there was some sort of compelling reason why you want to be done earlier? 2 years isn’t really that big of deal…trust me, after age 21, the only big “landmark” b-day is 25 b/c car insurance rates go down, and you can rent a car (of course if you join the AMA that’s a perk you get before then anyways)…</p>