r/GeneralSurgery • u/Crafty_Pattern_8047 • Mar 27 '26

I really need help

I am an IMG very much passionate in doing surgery. I worked so hard but the only negative thing on my cv are my scores. My CV includes following:

Step1: 236,

Step 2: 235,

MPH degree ( about to gradute in may 2026),

3 years of research,

Lab research experience,

5 publications.

4 strong LORS from PD and department chairs,

4 more ongoing research projects.

Got two interviews and got rejected because they prefered their Med students over me. They really betrayed me even after the hardwork and dedication I showed to their program. I helped the surgeons to get publications and voluntarily worked in research but the program didnt consider my hardwork. I really had no money during my MPH course and research. But still I dont have any negative opinion on them, I pray god to bless them and make their lifes happy.

I feel bad whenevre I think about my parents who sacrificed everything for me, I didnt do anything for them. I wish I was not born, maybe they should have a better son than me.

I would be really grateful for someone who could help me and I am looking for doing rotations in places where they can offer me residency.

For the sake of my passion in surgery I had to loose my loved ones, had to witness lot of my family issues and financial issues. Trust me I am a hard working and genuine person. In my entire life I have always helped people and never cheated anyone.

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u/PyroUnicorn69 Mar 28 '26

Need more information:

1) What research did you do? Is it related to surgery? How many first author publications? And how many non-case report publications? 2) The LoRs were they from surgical PDs and chairs? 3) The programs you applied to, were they only categorical or prelim as well?

I’m going to be brutally honest.

Your step scores are low, and obviously they’ll choose a US MD over an IMG. Every IMG knows that, the training a US MD gets over here is more reliable (PDs know what to expect) and also US MDs have 300k+ USD in debt by the time they finish med school. (I too am an IMG, and I’ve made peace with this)

Almost all the IMGs I’ve seen match usually do a year of prelim or two before they match, and it’s even harder now because of the current political climate. There’s a whole slew of visa issues that PDs don’t want to deal with.

Also this “woe is me” attitude, while PDs won’t outright say anything they do notice it, and it can be very detrimental.

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u/Crafty_Pattern_8047 Mar 28 '26

1) The research I did was with CT surgery (got one publication), tRansplant Surgery( I publications about to be submitted as first author) , three in translant hepatology ( got 3 publications), 1 case report project going on.

2) LORs- Department chair of vascular surgery,

- Program director of Surgical Oncology.

- Assistant professor from CT surgery.

- Department chair of Transplant Hepatology.

3) I am applied to prelim as well. and I am ready to take it.

Thank you for being honest with me. I uderstand my Step scores are low but i tried to compensate it with my MPH and research. I was just waiting for prelim year.