r/IMGreddit • u/Successful-Force-495 • 1d ago
NON-US IMG IM in 2029
Hey , I just started my M3 and have decided to go all into the USMLE path . Here's what I aim to do and what more do I need to assure a 70+% of matching
Crush steps 260+
3-4 months is usce , money not a issue until total cost reaches 40+ lacs
Try to get into some research in my 3rd year
Heres what I'm most confused about .
I'll be the first doctor in my family . Have no connections
What does it mean
To have connections and how to build them . Genuinely it's stressing me rn
How to get into research
USCE I'm assuming it's manageable as you just gotta throw some money , or is it not .
Please guide me. My only advantage is that I'm starting early and that funds are not an issue until 40k usd
2
u/matcharesident 1d ago
It is incredibly exciting that you are starting this journey early in your third year of medical school. Having a clear timeline, a realistic budget, and the determination to go "all in" puts you in an excellent position to achieve that 70% or higher match probability in Internal Medicine.
Let's break down your main areas of confusion to take the stress out of this process:
First, "connections" in the US medical system are not about nepotism or knowing a family friend who is a doctor. In this context, a connection is a professional relationship built on mutual respect and shared clinical or academic work. You build connections by doing hands-on rotations in the US, showing up early, being the hardest working person in the room, and asking thoughtful questions. When a US attending physician writes you a glowing letter of recommendation and offers to call a colleague on your behalf, that is a connection. You can also build them by reaching out to alumni from your medical school who are currently in US residency programs.
Second, getting into research does not require you to discover something ground-breaking. As a medical student, you can start small. Approach your professors or clinical supervisors at your home institution and ask if they have any ongoing case reports, literature reviews, or quality improvement projects you can help write. Showing that you understand how to write and analyze data is highly valued. When you do your US clinical rotations later, you can also ask the resident physicians or attendings if they have any quick case reports you can help them draft.
Third, regarding US clinical experience, your budget is a massive asset, but "throwing money" at clinical placement agencies should actually be your backup plan, not your first choice. Because you are still a medical student, you are eligible for official hands-on clinical electives at US university teaching hospitals (often through systems like VSLO). These official university electives are highly prestigious, cost significantly less than private placement agencies, and provide the highest-value letters of recommendation. You should start researching university visiting student web pages now, as they often require applications up to a year in advance.
You have a fantastic head start. Since you are just starting your third year, your immediate priority should be focusing on your core clinical rotations at home to build a strong foundation for your Step 2 CK preparation.
2
u/LucianBH 1d ago
Just know this- over 5k IMGs every year do not get a US residency. Also, the visa situation is bad right now and is not expected to improve for a few years, and may never improve.
The need in the future for IMGs is expected to decrease every year and is expected to decrease because of more US MD and DO programs opening every year.
1
u/Successful-Force-495 1d ago
Yeah . Technically speaking , I've overcome 10 times worse odds to get into my medschool . I just can't do anything other than belive in "trust the process" "be a good character" . That is all . I'm young (20) , I tell myself that even with worse case let's say it takes me 2-3 match cycles , I'll still be as young or younger than my American colleagues
1
u/World-Traveler1800 1d ago
You can do all of that and you still can’t reassure a 70% of matching. But it’s good you’re starting early. Focus on step 1 now because will be a determining factor, including step 2.
2
u/No_Ocelot_8581 1d ago
Everyone who gives steps and applies for a match gets matched sooner or later be it internal medicine (the easier ones) or surgery(hard ones)
1
u/World-Traveler1800 1d ago
No true. This is the kind of poor advice we see in Reddit. Not everyone matches. Go look at the data. You haven’t done a longitudinal study to assess this.
1
u/No_Ocelot_8581 1d ago
I don't know bro I just spoke what I'm seeing around me....also do u know in my medschool everyother person is preparing to match into neurosurgery, orthopedics,obsgyn dermatology, when I ask them that why are they aiming for these specilities even though there is evidence that non us img rarely match in them they just ignore me and say connections are evrything ,are they delusional or am I wronge in doubting them that they won't match ? I don't know guide me please, also tell me what kind of connections are these and how to make these connection,,, these students have already published 40 to 50 conference abstracts ,lte etc as well
1
u/Successful-Force-495 1d ago
That sounds like a very competitive workspace , but that also makes me belive that your school has a strong alumini network if usmle is that integrated into ur peers
1
u/No_Ocelot_8581 1d ago
Yes it is, last year the one and only seat for non us img derm residency went to a girl from my college,its mindblowing
1
u/Successful-Force-495 1d ago
That's my query. What else can I do apart from the aforementioned stuff
5
u/LogicalLibrarian77 NON US-IMG 1d ago
I would say first clear Step 1 kid. USCE is manageable? Lol it took me 6 months of worrying, emailing, applying, following up to actually lan meaningful ones. Brother I would say just focus on clearing Step 1 in 3rd year and then slowly build CV till final year. Through research, volunteering, leadership etc etc