I have been asked so many times to post something about myself but there was not much to write about as I did not know what you, general readers want to know about me. But now when I have some idea, I am trying to write something about myself.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, I have been raised in various cities of Pakistan, including Lahore, Kasur, Karachi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, throughout my childhood... thanks to my father's regular military postings. For the same reason I changed 6 schools, in my 10 years of schooling. Most of these schools have been one of the Army Public Schools. I completed my 10th grade from Army Public School(APS), Lalkurti, Rawalpindi in 2001 and then went to F.G. Sir Syed College, Mall Road, Rawalpindi for Pre-medical. I got admission in King Edward Medical University(KEMU), Lahore, Pakistan in November 2003 and graduated in 2009.
Throughout my medical school, I was quite an active participant in all the extra-curricular activities, loved to do everything.... including debates, writing, drama, directing, acting, photography, music, poems, paintings, sports, in short everything... and represented my class/school/college in almost all of these... but it was during the last few years when I became very actively involved in helping poor patients through our Students' Patient Welfare Society(SPWS) and I realized that there is nothing better than helping others.
While I was busy, helping others solving their problems, all my issues got resolved without any of my effort and then I realized that these poor patients say something looking up at the skies, "Hey Son! May God make you a very successful person in life!" and all my life gets sorted; I was awarded in ways that nobody can imagine. I started reviewing for 4 top international journals from nowhere, got an observership in US and then cleared all my exams without much effort. We wanted to make a website for SPWS but then it was quite expensive to get a website made for a small charity organization; so I learnt web-designing myself from free resources available online, without any tutor and later I realized that I have acquired a great skill/ tool to help others.
When I applied for electives during final year, I was accepted in about 10 top-notch universities as compared to all others who were accepted to only 1 or 2 places. I completed 26 weeks of electives; 12 weeks in UCSF Radiology, 7 weeks research elective in Johns Hopkins, 4 weeks of Yale Emergency Medicine and 3 weeks in NIH Hematology. I was also accepted in places like Weil Cornell, Maimonidies, Emory, Henry Ford etc; I was accepted wherever I applied; I never heard of anyone having so many acceptances and all this was not because of any of my ability but only because of sheer luck or the prayers of those poor people, I tried to help.
Throughout this time, I felt as if guidance/information is flying towards me from various sources and opportunities are running after me otherwise I was never so well-informed or well-guided but thanks to the good wishes/prayers of all those poor patients we helped. Then I decided that this series of helping others must continue if I want to enjoy the same fortune in life... so I made this website with the good will of helping juniors who are not well-informed and don't have any guidance like I had... we are very lucky to be blessed and resourceful but that puts lots of extra responsibilities on us for the ones less fortunate... Now even this website has become a source of respect, recognition and achievement for me... probably because it was created to help others.
I know getting multiple electives is not any big achievement in the course of one's career... but for me, this small success is the beginning of a series of big achievements/successes to come in future and I have strong faith in it...(that's why I wrote about hope in the welcome message of this website).... it was never only about electives but the practical proof of how luck can be moulded/ changed..... only by helping others in whatever way possible and having their good wishes and prayers.
There is nothing better than the love that comes straight from the heart and wishes/prays for your success; while I already had many of these... I want to have more of them as I want to be more successful in life. I am sure at some moment... even many of you might have prayed for me or at least have good wishes... while being helped by this website... keep praying for me... keep helping others... keep winning in life...
We can hardly do anything for ourselves; let God do whatever He is doing for us and we carry on doing whatever we are doing for humanity.
Help others, to be successful in life
Help others, so that God can help you!
And bhai now my morning tea
And bhai now my morning tea starts with going through ur website for more information and if possible answering some queries which i know.. so that it reduces a little bit of burden of u. :)
God bless
<applause>
Dear Umar bhai,
Nice to know about your life and ongoing struggle and achievements. We are lucky to be in the same boat with same timelines as you so that we continue to get good guidance and info from you in our journeys ahead from electives to steps to matching to residency to fellowships.
I second your thoughts on helping poor patients, fellow students in achieving what we ourselves dream of. I firmly believe that what we are today are primarily due to our good deeds and the dua incurred due to it, rather than from our good studies, work and intelligence.
Best wishes. <<applause>>
Siddiqui aka medisid
i echo d same sentiments
i echo d same sentiments shared by vaibhav n medisid regardin u umar bhai... u r a gem of a person, a ray of hope for ppl like us for whom the very dream of USMLE was a completely unknown issue b4 visiting this site...
n vaibhav evn my morning tea starts wid umar bhai's site...!!
god bless u umar bhai..!!!!!
P.S: The kind of elective profile u'v got (UCSF!, JOHNS HOPKINS!!, NIH!!!!).....if i were at the residency selection panel....i wud hav offered u any branch dat u wantd...be it radio, dermat, surg...
bhagwan kare u get ur residency in the university of ur choice!!...
thanks a lot guys for your
thanks a lot guys for your kind words, prayers and wishes.... God bless you all!
dear umar bhai. i randomly
dear umar bhai.
i randomly came across this forum and i need not say but still u are doing an amazing job through this forum. may Allah bless you with more success.
well i just got admitted to a medical school in Pakistan and i want to plan well ahead of time for the residency program in the US. so in that regard what do u think is the ideal time to sit for the step 1 exam?
secondly, i wanted to ask you about the possibility of obtaining a research assistant position/observership in a US hospital during the first two years of MBBS or before electives like summer internships in US hospitals? if yes, what would be the requirements in that case.
Also, i would like to ask you about any books* which should be used during the inital years of MBBS and which would provide solid background knowledge for the USMLE step 1 exam later on. I have purchased the big names like Guyton and Grey's and also the USMLE step 1 kaplan books as the reference books. Is there any other book in particular which u would recommend?
And finally as i earlier mentioned that i just got admitted to MBBS and at the moment i do have some free time before classes which i m utilizing in order to get well acquainted with the tough years ahead and therefore plan ahead of time. So anything which you would like to advice a freshman would be highly appreciated.
take care umar bhai and best f luck with all your future endeavors.
Allah hafiz
Thanks a lot for your kind
The best time to sit for step 1 exam would be in 4th year but make sure you start preparing for it asap!
Go for research electives during your summer vacations!
Preferably use the foreign books like Guyton, Snell, Lippincott, Robbins etc.
Start preparing for USMLEs asap... go through all the lectures of all the subjects and start practising mcqs from Qbank before you sit for prof! It would really help you!
ASA.. umar bhai it feels
ASA.. umar bhai it feels great when i see kemcolians helping others in every possible way.. im in 4th year.. also kemcolian (: and i hope i need ur guidance badly...
umar bhai, i dont have any doc in my family, my sis is studying in carnaigee mellon university and her hubby doing phd in standford (in california).. ive the only hope that i could stay with them and could go 4 electives and all.. my plans are to get settled in USA.. but next month humaray sends hain and then prof aur bhai aapko pata hai that we cant do anythingelse besides preparing 4 them.. mai pehlay kabhi USA nhi gai.. so in this situation kindly guide me..
1-right now z there anythingelse besides toefl and electives that undergraduates should go for??
2-now ven should i apply 4 toefl and electives?
3-in california, for which medical universities i should apply for??
bhai am really worried that i wouldnt miss any chance.. plz help me!!
AOA, I am sorry I dont
AOA, I am sorry I dont communicate via email anymore for guiding juniors... guidance via website is available to everyone and accessible by all rather than... few individuals in case of emails.... so I have replied ur query here and modified ur comment accordingly...
nice to know u r also a kemcolian... I know we dont have much guidance there in KE... that's why I made this website....
1. apply for toefl so that u can give the exam within 2 weeks after the end of prof... and apply for baylor authorization number...
2. right in the start of final year...
3. all of them... ucsf, ucsd, ucla, ucirvine....
tc n best of luck!
Help
WANT TO JOIN
DEAR UMAR BHAI,
I AM PIYUSH KALAKOTI, FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT FROM RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE, LONI, INDIA. I WOULD LIKE TO KOIN YOUR SITE AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER /7 WOULD LIKE TO POSTS NEW & REGULAR UPDATES FOR HELPING OTHERS. KINDLY ISSUE ME A USER NAME & PASSWORD IF POSSIBLE OR TELL ME OTHER MEANS BY WHICH I CAN DO THIS.
HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON,
THANKING YOU IN ANTICIPATION.
Hi Piyush, The username and
Hi Piyush,
The username and password access is only for authors... u can email ur contirbution to me on umartariq58@gmail.com and if suitable, your post will be posted on the website and u would be provided a username and password... thank you very much!
Want Guidance
salam umar bhai' iam new to this forum...iam student in Final year Services Institute of Medical Sciences Lahore...i have relatively strong knowledge of medical basics...have scored above average in previous professionals...iam focussing on "Not too Late from Graduation"....i have not yet completed my first reading for step1 ...have read only physiology....i have read pharmacology and pathology solely from kaplan during sessions and have distinctions in written....i have the view to study my final prof from kaplan as well (excluding surgery)....iam confused on two issues and want your guidance:
1.should i go for step 2 OR step 1 from now onwards?....
2.should i think of doing elective now?...
Thanking in anticipation.
Attiq-ur-Rehman.
salam Attiq, try for
COngratulations!
Hey umar,
Congratulations on this website!!! I am sure you are helping thousands of students for their medical careers and just Imagine when they become doctors themselves, how many people they will help... Its amazing!!!
I remember you told me about this website when we met at Hopkins... But at that time, it just seemed yet another thing but now seeing so many people making use of it makes me so happy for you... I am really impressed....
I come across a lot of people and they say stuff but you are surely the one who has stuck to his words and have really given to people unconditionally...
Was remembering those days when we watched naruto and ate the yummy home made food your uncle sent....
Best of luck for future!
Sumera
Hey Sumera, Thanks a lot for
Thanks a lot for your kind words. They are indeed a breeze of fresh air for me..... Encouragement like this inspires me to do more and your words are indeed very encouraging....
Naruto...... well I still watch them every thursday....
I cant believe how we used to live in Reed Hall... thank God all ended well...
All the best for your future! Insha Allah you would do very very well!
I generally prefer this
hey umar bhai, the work uve
hey umar bhai, the work uve done here is amazing, God bless you. ..its quite amazing that u managed to get 26 weeks of elective! thats more than 6 months! i was wondering how u manged to do that in one single yr i.e final yr at KE..u mustve had classes...do advise on this, as in how to schedule ur electives ( which months? summer vacations after final prof?etc)...Thank you
thanks for your kind words...
plz guide
dear umar bhai, first of all you deserve compliments for the quality and intent behind this fabulous site.Kindly guide me.I am consultant anesthesiologist at kmc hospitals, mangalore.My wife is a consultant Physician in PA, usa. I would like to stay with her for a period of three to five years in the united states.Whats the best way of going about getting a fellowship in critical care or some related field to anesthesiology or medicine? I am yet to give usmle steps and would like to have your valuable opinion before i decide on any course of action.
thanking you,
vimal
Thanks a lot for your kind
In few specilaties(e.g Radiology) fellowships are available without residency but one has to do steps for that(as far as I know)... I am not sure about Anesthesia fellowships though... you can check usmletomd.com for more details on fellowships without residency... all the best!
Hey Umar, I'll be doing my
Hey Umar,
I'll be doing my elective in 2012 and am thinking of applying to John Hopkins. Do you think it's too early to start applying now?
Thanks for your help.
Al
It's better if you find a
Guidance
AOA Umar,
Hope you are in the best of health.I just randomly came across ur website and i think it is pretty cool.
I am also a kemcolian and your senior.
I am waiting for my step 2 CK result but the sad story of my life is that i didn't score well on step 1 coz of some genuine reasons but decided to continue coz kemcolians never give up that easily.
Now i have to take CS and step 3 plus do some sort of observership or research before applying for the match.
I need info on how i can find a research position or observership in nyc quickly coz i don't have that much time left.
Hope you have some knowledge about it..keep up the good work.
Thanx
Thanks a lot for your kind
aoa thanks umer bhai for such
thanks umer bhai for such a great effort
bhai i hve applied for electives in mount sinai n got accepted
now i hve to appear in visa interview on 23rd i want to ask somehing
my uncle is sposering me as my father passed away when i was a kid.my uncle is a dr in uk, i hve his bank statement n affidavt do i need something more
2nd i hve enough money in my own acc i mentioned tht half i l pay n half my sponser l give me
wht should i do now have i made a blunder???
thanks bro
waiting for ur reply
Information about yourself
I was reading through your blog and am very impressed. I read your profile and am genuinely touched by your concern to help fellow-human beings. Its a very noble and impressive thought.
Reading through your profile made me want to know you better. So wanted to ask you some questions regarding your career / choices.
1. Which year did you graduate?
2. And have you finished your steps?
3. What are your future plans?
4. Have you entered a residency?
5. Do you have any research exposure? If yes, please do share with us.
Please answer when u can. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kumar P S,
Delhi, India
Thanks a lot for your kind
1. 2009
2. in process...
3. hope for the best....
4. not until next year...
5. yes... would write an article on it in sometime...
plz help me umar bhai
salam umar bhai. i hope you are doing great. i want help from you regarding electives. i got 5 years visa and will b visiting USA in june this year. now that i have visa and tickets done, can i get electives in any good university there? can you help me with some good universities which can offer me electives during my stay there? i'd like to mention that its just a month remaining before i go, so can i meet the requirements of any good university in short period of time?
thanking you in anticipation
Congrats on ur visa... you
LOOKING FOR PAID RESEARCH POSITION
Dear DR Umar,
I am a Pakistani student and got MD from Tehran university.I have basic science research experience in stem cell engineering using animal models that i have worked for 2 years.We are in submitting process and hope to have three papers published in near future.My research topic was related to bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.Based on my this CV(preparing for TOEFL),is it possible to get paid research position in a US university before my publications or better to wait until my publications.
With best regards,
Sam A Khan
Yes for sure.... there are
about GRE
dear umar i am medical student from pakistan, i graduated in 2010, now i wana give revised GRE in sept. But i have query about expenses after scoring and getting admission.
some friends told me that if i have good score in GRE and have nice profile, it would be possile for me to get loan from foreign bank for getting admission and studying in some USA institution.
please guide me regarding this.
Would it be okay with you if
hi
AOA
hi umar im a graduate of 2006 then complete my housejob .and 1 year internship in ob/gyne(without any exam)due to some family reason i was unable to give usmle now i very much wanted to persue my career is it too late for me to give steps now .and do they give residency to dr moms..so worried plz help
dr farah
Salam, you can try but it is
needs a career counselling!
i m just a 1st year mbbs student of DOW right now but i need a proper authentic guideline for a bright future and i think i found my guide! :) i have very little idea of what to do in the up-coming years electives, usmle, researches, etc. Please guide me regarding everything, i'll be thankfull. and i m really impressed with your work. i too want to join your organization volunteerily! please let me in. i too want to be a source of benefits for others.
Reply soon- awaiting!
Thanks for your kind words;
I totally respect you and I
Update on your progress
It feels wonderful to read about a person of your caliber. I was wondering how you are doing nowadays? It would be a big inspiration to people like us preparing for the USMLE to know where you are and how your career is progressing. Have you gotten into residency? If yes, where and when?
Thank you in advance and hope to see you scale higher peaks.
Regards,
Kumar
Umar bhai
I will be ever grateful to u... And i will always serve for the betterment of this site and also in helping others .... God bless u bhai... Take care