MATCH Experience

If I can do it, you can too.

I did not have very high scores nor did I have any connections. But there are a few things I’m good at (talking and social media), I played on my strengths and worked smartly the second time.

• Step 1 score 219

• Step 2 CK 233

• Step 2 CS pass first attempt

• Step 3- not taken

• YOG- 2019

• Visa requiring IMG

• Matched 2nd cycle in Internal Medicine.

Now that we have gotten my credentials out of the way, Let’s talk about what I did differently the second time around.

During my first cycle I did not have ECFMG certificate or medical school degree. Lack of information about the application process and no guidance made it worse. I randomly applied to the programs from someone else’s list. And it costed me dearly. I didn’t get a single interview.

Things I did during my second cycle:

• Got ECFMG certified.

• Applied for a telemedicine rotation to keep myself clinically active so that I don’t have any unexplained gaps and got an amazing LOR.

• Started working on my Personal Statement in June.

• Watched videos and googled stuff (a lot) about how to write the CV and how to fill the application (most important). I made a separate word document where I wrote my experiences and how I wanted to describe them and kept editing it till it was time to fill in the application.

• Started researching about the programs in August. I made tons of lists for new programs of FM/IM, my target programs and the programs where mostly all IMGs apply.

• By September I had my Personal statement edited by 4 people (Two US doctor, my best friend and one native English speaker), still I made changes in it till I was satisfied because no one knows your personal statement better than you.

• During this time, I also started putting things from the word document in my application. Since the deadline last year was 15 October, I saved the programs I wanted to apply to in October first week, after finishing my application.

• There is no benefit in applying before the deadline because the programs can only access the applications after the deadline. But it is advisable to keep everything ready at least a week before the deadline because last minute payments can be a pain.

• Personal Statement- Those who say they are satisfied with their personal statements, lie. As an IMG we never had to dig so deep on a personal level to come up with reasons for our career choices. So, I suggest start writing few lines everyday about the 'whys' and the 'hows' of your specialty to give you a basic framework. Trust me the final document will look nothing like the first draft. Stop thinking about perfection. Its your story and it should have your personality. You can make it as personal or as dramatic as possible but please don’t lie. Once you have written about 700 words (that’s the ideal word limit), shut your laptop and forget about it. Read it after 4 days and then make changes where you feel necessary. Ask you best friend to read it, get it read by native English speakers, literature majors and most importantly a US doctor/resident because they know what programs expect and are looking for.

• Letters of Recommendation- I had 4 US letters from 2018, 2019 and 2020. So, I guess the year doesn’t matter as much as the content. Its always advisable to have personalized, detailed and waived letters. Reach out to your letter authors early in the season and be polite while asking for it (watch Dr. V Solanki’s Email etiquettes on YouTube). You may send them a reminder email after 2 weeks of initial request if they haven’t reached out to you.

• List of programs- Reddit, Facebook, google its available everywhere. I suggest you look at them all and customize it to your scores and priorities. Look out for newly accredited programs every year on ACGME website.

• After I submitted my application, I got my first Interview within a week but the others came much later in December and even in January. So, the timings vary, don’t panic. Use the time to prepare for interviews. I read blogs on Facebook match groups, googled most commonly asked questions for residency IV, listened to podcasts for other people’s answers and tried to come up with my own. Most important- write everything down, all the questions you come across and your answers, its so much easier to go through it one day before the IV.

• Since this year was all about virtual interviews, I invested in a good webcam (Logitech C270 HD webcam) and was complimented by the Program Coordinator for the picture quality, a ring light and also fast internet connection.

• Before every IV read your PS and CV thoroughly and think about your story. Why did you choose medicine? start from the beginning include your family stories, any patient story that inspired you, your teachers you look up to and want to be like and deliver all these stories with compassion, empathy and with such intensity that the interviewer cannot help but pay attention.

• The first IV will be nerve-wracking, but it gets better. Don’t hesitate in answering honestly but at the same time be professional. Some interviewers might ask random or ‘unique’ questions there are no right answers to them, just answer to the best of your knowledge.

• Add a story/life example in all your answers to make them more personalized. This will make the interviewers feel a connection to you and they’ll remember you too.

• Be sure to research the program well where you’ll be interviewing, know about the faculty particularly those interviewing you. Try to refine your answers by watching IV videos on YouTube. Most importantly do not lie during IV because you’ll end up working with one of the programs for next three years and it’ll be embarrassing when they’ll expect those things from you.

• After the IV- reach out to the programs you interviewed at, thank them and add something unique that happened during the IV so that they remember you, ask a question if it was not addressed during the interview. It opens a channel of communication. Be sure to attend all the post IV talks/meetings (if any) that shows the program that you are really interested in them.

• Once you are done with all the IVs make your rank list according to what you want. Take help from your seniors, doximity, google etc. but in the end its you who knows the best.

Resources I used for application-

• GRAMMARLY!! This is a life saver app (cannot stress this enough). Get the paid version its going to help you with the PS, CV and the emails.

• I started following a lot of IMGs who matched in US and are helping fellow aspiring residents through their YouTube channel, Instagram or personal blogs.

• Dr. V Solanki- YouTube channel for step-by-step guide on How to write in the application and make it more presentable, also for Personal statement writing tips.

• Dr. Sebas (Sebastian)- His blog (www.doctorsebas.com) is honestly a huge help to anyone starting out in this journey or people who are looking to get matched. He has talked about everything from how to get electives or research, to his personal statement and CV.

• Dr. Anoosh- Her Instagram page @medwithanoosh is amazing. She has posted in depth about her whole usmle journey starting from the exams, cv, electives and application.

• Dr. Nina Lum- She is a Family Medicine physician, an IMG working relentlessly towards making other IMG’s dreams come true. Her podcast was a huge help to me during the application as well as for the interviews. She has talked to numerous IMGs who are killing it in their respective fields of medicine, surgery, anesthesia etc. She also has a dedicated course for IMGs with 100% success rate. Follow her on Instagram for all things USMLE.

• Inside the match- By far the most helpful podcast for the preparation of my interviews. They IV fellow residents who have matched recently into different specialties and ask about their IV experiences, Frequently asked questions, unusual questions etc.

• Facebook Match groups- I read the IV experiences and FAQs for interviews from the ‘Files’ section of these groups. It helped me a lot since these groups are very active in solving any queries and pulling each other up during tough times.

• Apart from this I followed recent graduates of IM/FM on Instagram to know more about their experiences and how they have described their passion for medicine. It gives you a fresh perspective and also talking points for the IV.

• I did not take help from any of the paid services. I felt that everything I needed was available on google and on the above-mentioned people’s YouTube or Instagram.

• Do not underestimate the power of social media in making connections or to look up content for your application/IV.

During this whole grueling process, most important is to know about yourself. While writing my personal statement and preparing for interviews, I discovered things about me that I never paid attention to. The story you’ll tell when they’ll ask you ‘tell me about yourself’ or ‘why did you choose to become a doctor’ is going to change everything. So be prepared to level up.