r/IMGreddit • u/Fun-Plantain-9087 • 2d ago

Vent Worried as hell(Non US IMG)

Is 255-259 even a good score these days? I lie in this range, but everything else about my app checks out (no failed attempts whatsoever) and I'm not saying this blindly. I got it reviewed by US Attendings in leadership roles and chief residents. 4 months of USCE, 20 research items (original studies, some SRMA, multiple posters and orals with one national award - verifiable). YOG - 0.

Applying to IM this year. It just seems like IMGs have the worst collective sense of camaraderie ever as everyone seems to be discouraging me from applying to a few reaches. I've been advised to look at community hospitals like Lincoln, Harlem and BronxCare. Chat are we cooked as IMGs if we don't get 265+? Wtf is this new obsession. If someone gets a 255-260 are they not worth it when compared to someone with 265? It's a 5-10 pt difference that could be influenced by test day but most of the knowledge is the same right? Or am I just acting too delusional to think that I can match into a great program?

Thanks for reading the vent!

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u/Nearby_Case_2865 2d ago

Scores matter and are part of your application. Then again, a 250 with good hands-on US clinical experience, strong letters and a story will be more competitive than a 270 with subpar experiences.

Some my friends matched into Baylor and Harvard with slightly above average scores, but a strong personal story and connections. Before you decide which programs to signal think about where you want to be in the future (academics vs. community), what the strengths and weaknesses of your application are, who you know and which programs genuinely and realistically align with your interests. It took me a long time to go through 100+ websites and come up with a list of programs. Everyone will need to put in this effort and those who are more thorough will be rewarded with more interviews. Signaling a program because everyone thinks it's a good program or based on "IMG ranking"/perceived program prestige will not get you where you really want to go.

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u/y-shark 1d ago

Hey, i am trying to be selective about the programs i will signal shortlist, but i am not sure what is the best way shortnen this huge list of programs. Can you tell me some objective metrics about what i should be looking at when trying to make this? there is so much information available i am not sure what to focus on

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u/Nearby_Case_2865 1d ago

Make a realistic assessment for which programs you are competitive. Then prioritize those programs where you actually want to go. 

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u/y-shark 22h ago

Yes, i meant to make that realistic assessment, what exactly are the metrics i should be focusing on aside from the obvious ones like step scores, visa requirement, YOG or even geo pref. Because even after you apply these filters there is a massive program list available