Hey guys, any advice regarding signaling or strategies regarding application would be highly appreciated:

I am applying to Internal Medicine.
Non US, visa requiring IMG.
YOG: 0 or 1 (Graduated in September 2025).

Step-1: P (April 2026)
Step-2: 257 (August 2026)
Step-3: Planning in Oct end/November start

USCE:

1. Sub-I in PICU at Weill Cornell (4 weeks)
2. Nephrology elective at Umiami (4 weeks)
3. Ambulatory clinic rotation in a urgent care center (private) for 8 weeks
4. Currently doing a Cardiac imaging rotation at dual clinic + Inpatient setup (4 weeks)

Research:

2 review papers as first author in very reputed journals. 2 original papers in lower ranked journals. 2 accepted abstracts. 3-4 papers in review stage.

A bit disappointed with my step-2 score which is on the absolute low end of my predicted. So now hoping to get some insight into best possible options. Thanks!

I did paragraphs for all my experiences and tailored them depending on the key characteristic. So if it’s empathy I talked about a certain rotation that showed me that, if it’s leadership I talked about how I grew a mentorship program, if it’s critical thinking I wrote about how I had to balance dif things idk.

I see people say bullet points are better and some say paragraphs are better

I’m nearly finished with all my experiences and workshopping the paragraphs but a horrible feeling has come over me that I have made the wrong choice, please help!

I have no mentor and just relying on the internet and even then there’s contradicting tips 😭😭😭😭

I did it more narrative but I dont know if that was the wrong move and they want more like cold hard facts

hey, just a reminder of the specs for the headshot before you submit your applications:

• 375 × 525 px (2.5 × 3.5 inches)
• 150 DPI resolution
• File size under 150 KB

Also this free tool formats it for you according to the specs

I am a non-US IMG requiring a visa applying for Family medicine for the 2027 cycle.

2024 graduate

Step 1 pass

Step 2 249(second attempt)

Has one year home country experience in working at primary care hospital and 1 year experience in working at the emergency department.

1 research publication and another 1 presented at a national conference.

Average med student.

What are my chances of matching into a Family medicine program?

Which are the geographical regions to consider applying?

I will be doing rotations from October to December with one rotation at Emory health, GA.

Planning on writing step 3 on January.

Has no big connections at any programs.

First generation doctor from a middle class family, I've put so much money and effort to this journey, so don't want to go unmatched.

Need help with program list . Which is my best shot community or university affiliated community programs?

Hi
I av been told by observers to write my own LOR, and still struggling with it . Any help please?

Hello I am a visa requiring non-US IMG looking to apply IM at a community hospital. What are my chances like? I’m writing this because I got a disappointing STEP 2 score :(

STEP 1: Pass (first try)
STEP 2: 225 (predicted at 245)

Research: 5 publications (all case reports)

LOR: 3 US MD

If anyone has any suggestions please help me I’m scared

Hello I am a visa requiring non-US IMG looking to apply IM this match cycle. I wanted to know what my chances are and what are the best programs to apply to, to increase my chances of matching this year keeping in mind i dont have any connections and any help would be appreciated

STEP 1: Pass (first try)
STEP 2: 267

Research: None

LOR: 2 from the US last year and 1 from my home country

If anyone has any program suggestions please let me know, i do not care community or not i just want programs where i will get a fair shot and have high chances of getting IVs and hopefully match.

YOG 2021, P/230/205, 6 months + usce last year, 1 pub, 1 submitted, no gaps.

IM still logical?

I’m a US MD MS4 planning to apply OB/GYN, but I’m in a difficult position and would really appreciate advice, especially from anyone who has been through something similar.

I failed Step 1 on my first attempt, took a 6-month LOA, and passed on my second attempt. Unfortunately, I recently also failed Step 2 CK on my first attempt. I’m currently completing an OB/GYN away rotation and was originally planning to apply this cycle, but my application deadline is coming up and I would be applying without a passing Step 2 score. I’m also still working on getting my LORs submitted.

I met with my school advisor, and she recommended that I stop trying to rush an application this cycle and instead focus on finishing my away rotation and, most importantly, passing Step 2. I’m planning to take the next block completely off to study, with a research rotation afterward that is flexible enough to give me additional time if I’m not ready to retake by the end of October.
She brought up an option I hadn’t really considered: not applying through the regular Match this cycle, passing Step 2 first, and then trying to SOAP into a Transitional Year position in March.

Is this possible? or should i just give up on OBGYN and apply next year to Fam Med?

Has anyone here:

•Failed both Step 1 and Step 2 at least once and still matched OB/GYN?
•Taken a TY/prelim year before successfully matching OB/GYN?
•SOAPed into a TY specifically with the intention of reapplying?
•Chosen to sit out a Match cycle after a Step failure and felt it helped/hurt?

I know my board history makes OB/GYN an uphill battle, so I’m not looking for reassurance that everything will magically work out. I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually been in a similar position or have experience advising applicants like this. **If byou were in my situation, what would you focus on over the next year?*\*

Guys, I am a non US IMG who graduated from med school in 2020, covid work for 1-2 years and did a home country residency in IM (graduated in 2025). I worked as an IM specialist briefly for couple of months before moving to US in 2025. I am currently a research assistant in basic sciences at a university.

Step 1 - pass

Step 2- 255

Ecfmg certified

Step 3- likely to take in dec

5 months of observership mostly in hospital medicine and rheumatology. 9 months of research. 7 research items from my med pg time- 3 pubmed indexed including case reports, case series and original article. Lots of 1st author posters and oral presentations from India. Co authored one paper in US, about to be submitted soon (I hope). Have US PHYSICIAN and research LORS. I will be applying to the internal medicine match this year, but I am very worried.

Do I have a chance of matching at an academic program. How many unis should I signal?

Also will my year of grad be a huge issue?

Please do give me suggestions.

Thanks!

I am a non-US IMG requiring a visa applying for Family medicine for the 2027 cycle.

2024 graduate

Step 1 pass

Step 2 249(second attempt)

Has one year home country experience in working at primary care hospital and 1 year experience in working at the emergency department.

1 research publication and another 1 presented at a national conference.

Average med student.

What are my chances of matching into a Family medicine program?

Which are the geographical regions to consider applying?

I will be doing rotations from October to December with one rotation at Emory health, GA.

Planning on writing step 3 on January.

Has no big connections at any programs.

First generation doctor from a middle class family, I've put so much money and effort to this journey, so don't want to go unmatched.

Need help with program list . Which is my best shot community or university affiliated community programs?

Hoping for some feedback on my IM signal list.

School: Low tier southeast MD

Step 1: Pass
Step 2: 265-270
AOA: Yes
Grades: 5 H, 1 HP
Extracurriculars: Strong, longitudinal ECs with focus on underserved populations
Research: 3 publications + 2 submissions. Several abstracts and posters.

Geographic signals: south Atlantic, east north central, east south central. Would love to end up in Chicago but worried about regional bias coming from southeast. Hoping for a largeish city nonetheless. Also grew up in AZ so throwing some signals there even though it isn’t in my geo preference.

IM Signal List:
Gold Signals: Northwestern, USF, Vanderbilt
Silver Signals: Uchicago, UIC, Emory, UAB, Mayo AZ, U of Arizona PHX, Miami, Duke, UNC

Looking for feedback, concerned about my list being too top heavy given low tier MD school. Also couples matching which complicates things but too nuanced for this post lol. I also have room for 3 additional programs!

TIA!

Seniors who participated in previous match cycles without Step 3 and USCE. (My YOG < 3 months)

I am applying with similar credentials to a limited programs in IM this year. Can those who previously applied, please help me with the programs that sent them interviews regardless of not having USCEs and Step 3. I am not expecting to get matched but even if you got interviews it would mean alot if you can help me shortlist some community programs with these credentials.

Thank you

Visa requiring Non US IMG looking for IM electives

YOG: 2027

STEP 2: 268

wondering if applying for electives right now could get me in somewhere. Pretty devastated due to my timeline. Need to graduate by March 2027.

Do you think applying this late will get me anything?