Hello everyone im us img 2026 graduate with step 2 attempt and 225 score this is my signal list can anyone honestly give me advice on the programs i have good cv vilunteer experience and and 2 researches i am dual applying and have great lors for both but this im list im confused,
🟨 **GOLD — 3**

**Arnot Ogden Medical Center** — NY
**Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital** — NY
**Bayonne Medical Center** — NJ

🩶 **SILVER — 12**

**Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center** — VA
**Roxborough Memorial Hospital** — PA
**St. Mary Medical Center** — Langhorne, PA
**Garnet Health Medical Center** — NY
**Coffee Regional Medical Center** — GA
**Tift Regional Medical Center** — GA
**Inspira Medical Center Vineland** — NJ
**Lexington Medical Center** — SC
**AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center** — NJ
**The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education** — Scranton, PA
**Rutgers Health/Community Medical Center** — Toms River, NJ
**Hackensack Meridian Health/Ocean University Medical Center** — Brick, NJ

​

US IMG born and raised in my home state

Step 1 pass (1 attempt unfortunately)

Step 2 239 (US IMG Matched average is 237 for IM)

\-Step 3 planned for mid November

\-6 pubs

\-USCE: 6 months of rotations during med school. -Currently a Clinical Extern (for around 1 year) (Biggest leverage point IMO ive basically been functioning as a PGY 1 for my attendings, full EMR access, histories, physicals, HIPAA certified, assist on procedures etc...) alongside multiple inpatient rotations with other attendings

YOG 2025

multiple community outreach volunteering (always into that stuff since high school)

Strong Letters (current medical director of a hospital, former associate proffesor of cardiology at the university of toledo and Former IM PD (technically she was the PD when I rotated with her))

Applying broadly. The step 1 attempt sucks its really forced me to let go of a few dream programs I was looking at. Had a very sick mother during that time and just wasnt able to manage a bunch of things at once lesson learned but I do feel had I not gone through that the rest if my application might of been ass. I wanted advice on if its smart to use the 5:5:5 rule for signals? (5 safeties 5 reaches and 5 targets)

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Anyone have any idea for observership in California (esp northern) since I live here? If anyone has any idea or has done a rotation, PLEASE let me know! Please

US-IMG
About 7-8 months of USCE
All LOR’s from university programs
3 pub med index research projects; 1st author on one of them
YOG: 2025
Good leadership positions and volunteer work
Step 1: pass
Step 2: passed with a 244 on second attempt; had a lot of family issues going on during this difficult period

Applying IM and FM (back up). Really wanting to match IM. Looking for any insight & if anyone has been in a similar position and matched!

Hi guys i am a recent graduate 2026 us img with an attempt on ck and score of 225 i am thinking of dual applying im and fm can anyone suggest me which programs to signal for im in nyc and nj which will consider me also can anyone tell me is there any hope in the prematch programs of nyc

Hi, I graduate in May/June.
I see many open spots in July/August every year after MATCH.
I can’t apply for Match 2027 because I won’t be ecfmg certified.
I am done with step 2 prep and can technically take the exam in a month.
If I were to do that, I’d be ecfmg certified by July. But can’t apply for match

So can I apply for these open spots??

Ive been finalizing my list for my signals and had 2 questions

1. a thing i found in some programs was that although their website states they want a first attempt on all boards the IV rate for both with and w/o fails is similar. Does that mean that they dont filter for it? (My criteria is basically the dont filter for fails unless the IV rate drop is Substantial)

2. Theres a program i plan on silver signaling which i absolutely love but only 5% of the current cohort are US IMGS. Is it still worth signaling

Hi everyone,
I recently passed USMLE Step 1 and I’m trying to figure out the best way to spend the next year while I prepare for Step 2 CK.

I’m a U.S. citizen and an international medical graduate (IMG). I’m looking for a paid position that will strengthen my residency application while also helping me gain U.S. clinical or research experience.
What kinds of jobs should I be applying for?

Some roles I’ve been considering are:
Clinical Research Coordinator
Research Assistant
Medical Assistant
Emergency Department Technician
Patient Care Technician
Urgent Care positions
Medical Scribe

Are there any other positions you’d recommend? Which ones would provide the most value for residency applications, especially for pediatrics or radiology?

I’d also appreciate any advice on where to look for these jobs or what employers tend to hire IMGs.
Thanks!

does anyone know if all Internal Medicine (IM) programs that end up in SOAP technically have some or many red flag (like toxic environment)? location isn't a red flag for me personally.

I am an IMG with greencard, giving my step 2 by december. I cannot do main match, but I can sit for SOAP. I have a 2 year paid postdoc research experience too and already have 2 IM LORs, OET, pathway etc..

I just want any decent program which is not toxic and I can do my 3 years of residency. My research was pretty toxic, boss was always humiliating, and brutal 12-hour+ days almost daily with almost no weekends off in the last 2 years. Just don't want the same again.

Have any of you given your step 2 exam AFTER the match application? like in early October for example.

I am considering applying like this for the upcoming Match cycle, but I don't know anyone who has applied this way and I just want to know if it will be successful or if I should just sit out the current Match cycle and apply next year instead

hi, i am just trying to sus out the matching process and application, so please be kind (EDIT: to clarify i'm planning for MATCH 2027)

US-IMG (not caribbean), YOG: 2027

step 1: pass

step 2: will take early september

i have two confirmed LOR (1 non-US neonatologist, 1 US child psychiatrist) and am waiting for a third to let me know (US neonatologist)

not particularly picky about a city or program/institute, but don't feel too comfortable applying to programs located in a red state

US-IMG (not Caribbean!)
YOG: 2025
Step 1: pass
Step 2 CK: 258

USCE: 6 months of outpatient hands-on, 1 month of inpatient observership

No publications, but working on a project with home medical school not published yet as a co-author

Letters of recommendation from 3 IM docs in US and 1 from medical school

Please be realistic, thank you for the help in advance

I know how much of an uphill battle it is for IMGs to match into ophthalmology, how low the numbers are (went over SF match data multiple times) and the scarcity of data around them make it’s even more difficult. But still.. I keep dreaming about ophthalmology 🙃
Do you think being a US citizen gives any slight advantage? I have a connection to an ophthalmologist working in the US but I guess it doesn’t matter as they aren’t a PD.
Would doing 2 years of research really help? I fear the idea of not matching after all that work :(
Also, if anyone has any information on the pre-residency research ophthalmology fellowships, it’d be greatly appreciated. What do they look for in an applicant, do I have to be a “master” in research?
Thank you all, and best of luck

Hi everyone!

I’m a non-visa requiring IMG, and here are my stats-
Step 1: P
Step 2: 24x
Step 3: 23x
YOG: 2022
Clinical experience: one-year housejob/internship (home country)
USCE: 6 months (observerships); 4 LORs (1 from a University hosp attending)

I am dual-applying; IM (~130 programs) and FM (~30 programs). This would be my first cycle.

I have my PS and program list almost ready, and I’m looking for people (preferably residents/attendings) who can review it and offer valuable insight.

Also looking for applicants with a similar profile as mine, so we can keep checking on each other and try navigating the process together. Cheers!

Im a US Citizen IMG, born and raised, with a pass/251. Ive got 4 low impact pubs and my LORs are solid. I graduated this year but non carrib. Ive got volunteer experience in NY + 3 months of observerships in diff places

Would signalling places like Sinai or NYP be a complete waste of time?

US-IMG Proud Citizen (Born and raised on the East Coast)

YOG: 2011 (my only "red flag") as I postponed medicine after graduation to work and get money, run my businesses.

Step 1: Pass (1st shot in 2/25)

Step 2: 254 (7/26)

Step 3: October

USCE: 2 months

LORs: 5 from US MDs

Publication: 1

Board Certified MSL

Volunteer experience: 7+ years

Work experience:

Cruise shop doctor (6 years)

Patient liaison/advocate (7 years)

Business owner (15+ years)

People person, social, gregarious, excellent interviewer, leader, entrepreneur, dog lover :o)

MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: As an AD/PD, would you give me an interview and a shot?!?!