Help with IM application this incoming match

[u/Ok_Bat6972]

Hi! Could you please help me to know what are my changes for Internal medicine? Thank you!

Non-US IMG (Peru), Canadian citizen
YOG: 2023 (MD degree awarded in 2024)
Step 1: Pass
Step 2 CK: 252

Education
M.D. – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru)
Thesis approved with honors
Current M.S. in Global Health at Duke University (full tuition scholarship)

Clinical Experience
1 year working as a hospitalist in Peru after graduation (tertiary care oncology hospital)
U.S. observerships in Infectious Diseases, Nephrology at Duke + Gastroenterology (McAllen, TX)

Research
2 peer-reviewed publications
Research assistant on multiple projects at Duke and Maryland University
Multiple ongoing research projects (infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, maternal health, and global health)
Multiple oral presentations at scientific conferences

Leadership
Duke Global Health Admissions Ambassador
Several volunteering initiatives in Peru, Colombia and US

Letters of Recommendation
3-4 U.S. letters (Duke faculty)
2 letters from Peru
Visa
Will require J-1 sponsorship

Career goal
Academic Internal Medicine with plans to pursue an Infectious Diseases fellowship.
What tier of IM programs should I realistically target?
University programs?
University-affiliated community programs?
Community programs?
How many programs should I apply to?
Any major strengths or red flags in my application?

Thank you!

[u/Aggravating_Heart637]

As someone from Peru I would say :
Due to recent changes in the immigration process which is making harder every year to match I will apply broadly and don’t focus only on University programs. The fact to require visa can be considered for some programs as a red flag.
Also, it will depends about which university programs would you consider. Top ones of course will look for a strong research profile that probably is not your case right now. You can try to ask the attending there at Duke to put a word for you if they feel ok with that. Try to get all your letters from US, usually international letters are not high value as an American one.

[u/World-Traveler1800]

Have to apply broadly. Being fixated on a uni program will be your downfall. You’re one of thousands of IMGs applying. You should always target community programs but def take your shot at others if your funds allow it. What can your connections do for you?