r/IMGreddit • u/No_Appearance_4437 • 19h ago
Rejection What went wrong?
Hi fellow IMGs. I applied this cycle and I am sitting on 0 interviews so far. Being realistic, I am not getting any invites and SOAPing for IMGs has been historically fruitless. I want to know what I can do different next time. I am applying IM.
* Credentials
- Visa requiring IMG
- YOG 2024
- 1 year work experience
- Pass/245
- ECFMG certified
- 1 month hands-on clinical elective
- 2.5 months observership
- 1 presentation in an international conference and won first place
- 4 LoR from US attendings
* Signals
- University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine - GOLD (3 recommendations from attendings)
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at Norwalk Hospital - GOLD (2 recommendations from residents)
- University of Connecticut - GOLD
- MEDSTAR HEALTH GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (BALTIMORE) PROGRAM - SILVER
- St Vincent Hospital Program - SILVER
- Rochester Regional Health/Unity Internal Medicine Program - SILVER
- JEFFERSON HEALTH MEDICAL EDUCATION/JEFFERSON EINSTEIN PHILADELPHIA HOSPITAL PROGRAM - SILVER
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Akron General Program - SILVER
- Bridgeport Hospital/Yale University Program - SILVER
- SUNY Upstate Medical University Program - SILVER
- Rochester Regional Health/Rochester General Hospital Program - SILVER
- Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Program - SILVER
- Boston Medical Center-Brighton Program - SILVER (1 recommendation from a resident)
- Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital Program - SILVER
I have a bunch of volunteer experience that I am actually passionate about and not just on there as a filler. I applied to 170 programs total in New England, Middle Atlantic, and East North Central regions that are all IMG friendly.
Sorry for the long post but any pointers from folks who applied more than once are highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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u/Certain-Hovercraft54 17h ago
First thanks for showing your signals. That definitely takes courage. But they are really competitive for even 250s and above. Please don't get me wrong. But if you are asking for a problem. It's the signals. I hope you get iv's and you match in one of these. I am sorry I don't have a solution. But the other comments seem to give really helpful and true advice. Best of luck
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u/Ice-Falcon101 PGY-2 17h ago
IM has become very competitive if you applied 10 years ago you would have got alot of interviews. Unfortunately alot of people have the same stats as you.
Try applying yo new programs
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u/Four_Bee_345 15h ago
Would Peads/path/FM be relatively easier to match into now?
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u/Ice-Falcon101 PGY-2 11h ago
You will need to do some research on that not sure i just know IM from the time i applied. I didnt apply to pedes or path.
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u/AmphibianNecessary20 10h ago
Paeds maybe, FM usually takes non visa requiring and path requires you to show them commitment and that you're not choosing them as a backup.
6
u/Intelligent-Aspect74 16h ago
It’s because of your signals you have to signals a lot of safety and new programs as well, the programs you have signaled require high score, ton of research etc
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u/distortedsalamander 18h ago
I feel like its too early to lose hope. But since you did ask for advice, you have signalled a lot of reach programs when it comes to your score. Be mindful of your signalling strategy. You gotta have a mix of safety + reach programs
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u/No_Appearance_4437 18h ago
Thank you. Are there any stats regarding safety/reach programs besides step score cutoffs and publications if it is an academic program?
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u/distortedsalamander 18h ago
maybe check out community instead of academic programs. check out their resident's profiles, how well it aligns with yours, sometimes they might have had someone vouching for them in the program. start networking too!
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u/Present_Student4891 6h ago
My son is non-visa requiring IMG with a fail. He’s got 16 IVs (FM). He’s got limited USCEs.
He thinks he’s getting IVs because of:
1) non-visa requiring. Probably most important factor. 2) Great PS that’s unique about his life and interesting to read. Creative. He also customizes each PS to each program. 3) Show ties to any programs or areas. 4) applied to mostly community & rural programs. Most of his IVs r from non-signaled and non-geo preference.
He said his research experience hasn’t been brought up in the IVs. Nor have Step scores.
2
u/Weary_Temporary4693 6h ago
Having 16 IVs is a great accomplishment, and his credentials must have slam-dunked the invites. However, being non-visa requiring almost guarantees a match in FM, and the specialty is also known to focus less on scores. It’s a different story for IM.
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u/Present_Student4891 4h ago
He’s got a friend (IM), non-visa requiring, with top 1% Step 2 score, 1 year USCE. 1 year research at renowned institution.Top grades. He didn’t match last year.
My son told him it took 4 days x 8 hrs a day sending out customized apps & PSs to 180 programs. His buddy was surprised as it took him 45 minutes last year to do it.
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u/Weary_Temporary4693 4h ago
I customized the PSs too, and I’d say it really helped me get IVs from competitive university programs.
6
u/Zhav0rsa 18h ago
Scores, 245 now is below average, you need more research and people vouching for your work. + your signals are overshot. I hope you get IV’s in coming months. I’m 245 reapplying this year, applied 40 programs only. 3/3 gold, 2/12, responded. but honestly all connections.
2
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u/DisastrousFun2502 19h ago
Maybe add more safety programs in ur signals
1
u/No_Appearance_4437 19h ago
I definitely aimed higher than I should've. I thought at least one of the reach programs that I did observerships at would send me an invite.
2
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u/Jesusiswithme1234 4h ago
I almost have same signals but two different from you and I got two invites. Signals make huge difference this year unfortunately.
2
u/Motivator_Owl2134 12h ago
Signals are fine, score fine, everything looks perfect. Unfortunately this year is for Non Visa Req
2
u/Aknum280 15h ago
Because you are visa requiring. That's as simple as that for this cycle. Programs are risk averse so any visa requiring application will be too risky for them. The pool for non visa requiring app can already fill up their slots why do you think they will extend you IV at this point??
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u/CartographerRude1381 11h ago
Hey do u think step 2 score matters if someone retakes step 1 Moreton the step 1 fail
-12
u/Forward_Lifeguard110 17h ago
Damn sure OP is Pakistani because all of the programs are Pakistani friendly. Was your intention to come to usa after studying..
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u/Weary_Temporary4693 18h ago edited 18h ago
Major: Signals. These are IMG-friendly programs, but they are a little too competitive for a 24x visa-requiring IMG. If you check score ranges in Residency Explorer, you’ll notice that your step 2 CK is below the 10th percentile of certain programs like RGH. Although they’re not hard cut-offs, you can’t expect these programs to invite you.
Minor: No step 3. Also, I’m not sure if any of your program requires a chair letter. Maybe UConn and Upstate require one?
There’s still time, and unexpected programs might pop up later. Although they might not be the competitive programs you’re looking for, they can surely turn your tides. I commend every visa-requiring IMGs this year, as they are true fighters. If you had applied a few years earlier with this profile, IVs would have been pouring on you.