If you are an International Medical Graduate, also known as IMG,
whether this will be your first time applying or you are a repeat
applicant, whether you are an old graduate or a recent one, low scores
or 250+, if you understand and follow the 10 basic rules, you will have a
successful Match. This is true whether you will be applying for the
first time or you are a repeat applicant.
The 'formula' for Match consists of the following ten variables.
- Exam scores- including step 3
- YOG
- CV (Experiences- observership/research/volunteer)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Contacts
- Location
- Visa
- Program selection
- Communication
- Interview
Let's talk about each of these in turn.
Examinations, including Step 3, etc.
Forget
about your results because you can't change them; instead, focus on
finding plausible explanations for why you received the grades you did,
and then practice how to discuss those grades.
If you are aware that
tests are not your strong suit, you should focus your efforts on
strengthening other aspects of your resume and developing your skills.
Make an effort to supplement them with professional experience gained in the actual world.
Be aware that not everyone can achieve high scores, and that's okay; you shouldn't let this shake your self-assurance.
2. The year in which you graduated
Again, this is something that cannot be changed; however, you should be aware that the clock is ticking.
Consider
the possibility of substantiating your time off with something
concrete, such as a master's degree, considerable study, or a PG from
your home country.
Observerships are not worth the time you spent on them.
It
is preferable to work in a paid position of some kind, such as a scribe
or paid research (if it is possible), so that they can see that someone
else has already trusted you as an employee and is willing to pay you,
and that you are obviously still in touch with medicine.
They are a
goldmine of knowledge because they round with doctors, and we cannot
function without them. Many graduates in the United States who are
pharmacists or who are involved in clinical pharma research decide to
enroll in medical school.
3. CV (Experiences- observership/research/volunteer)
Locate areas of weakness and work to improve them; this is especially important for students who have previously graduated.
Instead than reliving the same events over and over, try something different.
Because
the CV has a tendency to look like this: "took patient history,
physical exam, involved in mtx plan" over and over again. Observership
at university xyz.
The individuals who have always had a wide variety
of experiences on their resumes and who offer something novel to the
table are the ones who are considered to be the finest applicants for
medical residency programs as well as regular college admissions in this
country. Because of this, individuals in their 40s and 50s are able to
make the transition into the medical field.
Repeat applicant CV; which area of expertise should we emphasize?
Reduce the number of available specialties to one or two.
The
majority of applicants conclude that internal medicine is too
challenging, despite the fact that their resumes are packed with
experiences in the medical field.
Don't get a little bit of
everything in medicine, pediatrics, psychology, family medicine, and
neurology. They are able to identify it as a backup very readily.
On the other hand, certain events can be easily capitalized upon, for instance.
Research in cardiology that is applicable to both medicine and pediatrics
Work as a scribe in primary care; this position can also cover IM and FM.
Because of the prevalence of behavioral disorders, experience in genetics, preferably in pediatrics or psychology.
Peds experience for peds neurology
FM for individuals who have a residency in obstetrics or gynecology
Therefore,
you should have a clever and relevant backup alternative, and you
should also be practical in your approach in order to successfully marry
your entire profile and interest with what is possible. This occurs
frequently in our experience. Students who are only interested in
psychiatry or pediatrics as a backup can be easily identified during the
interview process, even if they do receive the prerequisites for their
backup speciality.
CV and list of observations
Because it is
so challenging for IMGs to gain hands-on experience, the majority of
them will opt for the observer track instead. However, keep in mind the
goal.
It is helpful for the program to observe you and track your progress.
Imagine that you are participating in a practice interview.
Utilizable in programs when there is a reasonable possibility of a match being found
If you wish to demonstrate that you have some prior experience in the field of expertise,
When
communicating about a program, it is beneficial to show interest in the
program ( emails asking for a day or week of observership because you
are highly interested)
Establishing quick connections within the
program and finding someone within the program who can endorse you is
more crucial than obtaining letters from outside sources.
Demonstrate that you have an interest in continuing to occupy the same location.
Clinic observerships are the most pointless way to spend your time; avoid wasting your time at your "father's friend's clinic."
Having said that, anything is preferable to the alternative, which is to laze around the house doing nothing.
CV in addition to research
Excellent for individuals who already have their resume in order but are unsure about the next step to take.
demonstrates a commitment to the field of expertise
If
utilized correctly, it demonstrates something tangible on the CV and
demonstrates that you are capable of creating outcomes. May be used to
apply for two different specialties.
Direct the discourse during the interview.
Do's on your research
Ensure that your research has well-defined objectives.
Talk
to your mentor ahead of time and make sure your expectations are
understood; will you obtain at least one publication for the amount of
work you put in?
Will you be able to acquire a nice letter, which is normally only feasible until at least six months have passed?
Do
explore for clinical experiences inside research; shadowing a mentor,
talking to patients about consent and study enrollment, and any other
kind of patient contact all count as clinical experiences.
Consider
taking the next step, such as participating in prospective research,
becoming involved in biostatistics, or expanding your network of mentors
if you are currently conducting a literature review.
Maintain a positive attitude and a thirst for knowledge.
Dos and Don'ts of Research
Visit a location without being sure why you should.
Expectations should never be met with reality.
Don't
bother gathering data for the next six months if there isn't going to
be any growth in that area. You are, in the end, expanding your talents;
residency will come, but until then, you want to be in a setting in
which you are continually learning and developing new skills.
Carry on working with a mentor despite the fact that they are not supportive.
Read
our articles in the Research Experience category of our CV and
Volunteer activities blog for more information about research.
Participate in community service activities to demonstrate that you are truly interesting.
E.gg Child life volunteer working with pediatric patients
Create new relationships with new people.
Nearly all AMGs have extensive prior experience in the voluntary sector.
It demonstrates to them that you are involved in the community in which you live.
4. Recommendation Letters or Letters of Support
The one part of the Match that gets the least attention (by most IMGs)
Personalized and targeted letters will gain you many more interview opportunities.
The
majority of the time, letters of recommendation from your home country
are not relevant, unless you are a very recent graduate.
Make every effort to obtain a minimum of three US LORs.
Clinic LoRs don't matter
Don't
put your name on your own LORs. At the very least, demonstrate it to a
specialist. The PDs read through a large number of LORs. They will
immediately be able to tell the difference between an Attending who has
written your LOR and an Attending who has simply signed off on the one
you have written.
Always make use of LORs with waivers.
5. Contacts
Another common misconception is that "you can only match if you already have contacts."
The
term "family friend, uncle, or spouse" is typically used as an example
of a contact in the IMG program. Although this is undeniably the case,
the term "professional network" refers to what it is in the United
States.
If you are the spouse of someone who is attending or a
resident at a program, you have won the lottery (in most situations)
because your chances of finding a match through that program are
extremely high.
Through your participation in observerships,
research, and hands-on experiences, you can develop your professional
network of contacts.
Participate in conferences that are pertinent.
You can utilize your network to obtain more interviews and even get on
the Rank List (yes, that happens) depending on how strong your 'contact'
is. Many conferences are attended by PDs and current residents. You can
leverage your network to get more interviews and even get on the Rank
List.
6. Location
Bear in mind that some states are
friendlier to IMGs than others (for instance, it will be difficult for
you if you live in the state of Washington or in Seattle), but that the
likelihood of success is highest in and around your current area.
It
demonstrates that you are committed to remaining in the area, which puts
you in a stronger position than applications coming from a far distance
because such applicants are less likely to rank the program, and vice
versa.
Be aware that other schools located further away will have a
lower likelihood of accepting you for the same reason. This is a
double-edged sword. So make an informed decision. Or provide convincing
justifications.
Be adaptable and seek out experiences in other states
if you live in a state that is unwelcoming to international medical
graduates.
There is never a rule without an exception.
7. The selection of programs
ones that are compatible with your resume and previous experiences
Take a look at the profiles of residents and graduates.
Put out an argument as to why you should be allowed there and how you can benefit them.
For
example, community programs look for people who already have clinical
experience and therefore don't need to be trained, whereas university
programs look for people who are capable of doing research.
Get a
head start and you will save money. If you wait until early September to
start investigating different programs, you will end up spending a lot
of money since you will wind up applying to schools that are not a good
fit for you.
8. Visa Status
The most widespread
misconception is that US IMGs (international students who do not need a
visa) will match easily. According to the data provided by NRMP, the
match rates for IMGs who are applying for visas and those who do not
require visas are extremely comparable.
If you don't need a visa, then you get access to a wider variety of programs.
In any event, the bulk of applicants will have to make do with their current visa status.
Choose programs that are appropriate for your current visa status.
9. Talking to One Another
Choose between 20 and 30 programs. Concentrate on them.
Send an email to them highlighting all of your accomplishments and strengths.
Perform careful research on the programs. Don't send generic emails
Ask for observership (yes, see above, doing obvership at residency programs can help)
It is important to keep in mind that this is more of a process of elimination than it is of selection.
It is not as important to make a strong first impression as it is to make a number of favorable impressions.
10. Conducting Interviews
This is the point at which theory and practice converge.
Interview for residency programs is the deciding factor for Match.
It's
possible that your past interviews went well, but for whatever reason,
you weren't selected; to improve your chances, brush up on your
interviewing abilities.
Consider what the PD is trying to find by putting yourself in their shoes and thinking about what they want.
Create a list of everything you can provide, and then serve yourself up on a silver platter.
Good luck!
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