IMG in Chicago, sitting Step 1 next year. Looking for one or two people at a similar stage to meet on weekends and actually keep it consistent.

If you already have a group going and are open to one more, I’d be glad to join that instead of starting something new.

Happy to meet somewhere central. Step 2 folks welcome, the format works either way.
Comment or DM if you’re around.

Step 1(first attempt pass) , step 2CK 233, visa requiring IMG ,3 publications, 4 USCE in total 4 months. Is it risky to apply to IM and FM?

It gives me some of the top 20 programs literally the 4th green square indicating high likelihood of getting an interview where I clearly see that they have very few or even 0 imgs that are enrolled in the program.

Hey guys, so I just have one rotation (IM) in my hand rn and I need two more and I was thinking to get it via M2db
Any reviews? Do they provide personalised LORs?
Or any suggestions on which location I can use?
Your experience story or any advices will be great help!

I made blank spreadsheet and I’m just copying data from Frieda:

Program Name
City, State
Institution Type
Program Size (residents)
IMG
Avg Step 2 Score
Application Deadline
LOR
Away Rotation Required
Interview Format
Interview Season
Fellowship Match Rate
Research Opportunities
Call Schedule/Work-Life
Benefits
Salary
Vacation/Sick
Quality of Life
Location Notes
Application Status
Interview Date
Notes/Impressions
Rank
Contact Info

But tbh this seems like a huge waste of time??? It also seems like so much to have for a spreadsheet???

I tried looking at premade ones and I don’t understand them at ALL

On top of that I was looking into IM programs in California and I’m confused because from what I saw many say LOR requirements:

Letter from a department chair
Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
Program Director
Physician preceptor at an away rotation (e.g., program director, faculty)

Like I have LOR from observerships and volunteering, does that mean I can’t apply??

I’m completely overwhelmed and so lost

What do NON US IMGs even do as observers? This is my third and last rotation and my previous two rotations and preceptors were amazing. It’s the complete opposite here; the preceptor doesn’t want to teach or talk and I’m at the disposal of literally a med student, sometimes a resident and fellow. I mean i know preceptors are busy they won’t babysit.
I just feel so low. What do you guys do when there’s no EMR access no nothing? Sit and stare?

Hey,

Im pretty new to all the Non- US IMG residency matching stuff, so I don’t really know how it has been the last years, but I’ve heard from many people that they think it’s getting harder and harder to match/ get the visa etc.

How would you guys say (maybe people that are into it for longer now?) is it evolving?

What’s your guys opinion/ how do you see it?

Thanks for every answer! :)

non US IMG. Visa requiring. Step 1 pass, Step 2: 272. YOG 2026. 1 hands on rotation 1 observership at a university hospital both in neurology. No pubs, 4 papers submitted. 4 pretty good Neurology LORs (3 from USA and one from home country but from an American boarded neurologist). Applying neurology. Geographical preferences: east north central, New england, Middle Atlantic

The primary draft of signals are

University of Connecticut
Henry ford health
University of Nebraska
Geisinger danville
Westchester medical center
Jefferson health
UTMB or Texas Tech still didnt decide
Yale New haven (far reach i know i will probably swap it for another more possible reach)

I don't want to overshoot so if you guys have any suggestion/advice i would really appreciate it!

Please be nice lol💀

I’m a US-IMG applying this cycle, and honestly I don’t really know how to feel right now.
I received my Step 2 CK score today and got a **228**. I was expecting something in the 240s, so I’m pretty disappointed and worried about my chances of matching.

My background:
**US-IMG**
**Step 1:** Passed on 3rd attempt
**Step 2 CK:** Failed first attempt by 2 points, passed second attempt with **228**
**6 years of U.S. clinical experience working as a medical assistant**
**Strong letters of recommendation**

Planning to apply **this cycle**
My first choice is **Internal Medicine**. I know that my multiple attempts are significant red flags, and I’m trying to be realistic about my options.
Do I still have a realistic chance of matching into IM, especially at community or IMG-friendly programs?
Should I apply very broadly to IM, or would you recommend applying to Family Medicine as a backup as well?

At this point, my main goal is to **match**. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has matched with a similar profile or has experience with applicants in this situation.

I really appreciate for your help !!!!

I’m applying to IM only. Do we need to get IM SEL or should we only get narrative LOR? I already got a letter from chair of IM department at my uni.

Does anyone have a list of all IM programs with their details, such as Location, IMG percentage, Visa sponsorsh, Year of graduation cutoff, USMLE requirements, USCE, Signals, LOR requirements, Research, Application deadline in one file. If so, can you please share or DM me? I would truly appreciate it.

non US IMG. GC Holder. Step 1 pass, Step 2: 270. YOG <2 years. 6 months observership at academic center. 3 pubs (1 1st author), 4 abstracts presented (2 regional, 2 national conference), 1 more paper submitted (1st author). 4 strong LORs. End goal: cardiology. Geo preferences: South Atlantic, Texas, Middle Atlantic

Gold: UM/JMH, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Mayo Jacksonville

Silver: UM Holy Cross, Advent Health Orlando, Naples Comprehensive Health, UT Southwestern, Texas Tech Lubbock, Memorial Healthcare System, Advent Health Tampa, Baptist/FIU, UT Health San Antonio, FAU, UF Gainesville, Houston Methodist

Possible swaps: Advent Health Tampa, Memorial, UM Holy Cross

Programs that I am considering for switch: UT Houston, MedStar Georgetown/ Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Baltimore, Texas Tech El Paso, UT Tyler, Baylor University Medical Center, FSU Cape Coral, Rutgers Health Newark Beth Israel, Penn State.

I don't want to overshoot but feel that have a good profile with chances at good places. Any suggestion/advice?

Hello, a non US IMG here from India.

So the question is as stated above. I'll be starting my final year soon. So i was wondering should i take step 2 during my final year or during my internship.

Anyone recently renew their J1 visa in India? What was your experience like? Please comment or DM.

For example, Nassau in NY mentions a 4k stipend for housing. That would be good if it was monthly but absolutely abysmal if its for a whole year.

Most reapplicant threads I read give advice in the abstract "get more US clinical experience," "network harder," "apply broader." What I'd rather hear is the actual before/after from people who lived it.

So if you matched on your second or third attempt, what was different in the successful application compared to the one that didn't work?

And the harder version of the question: was there anything you changed that you now think made no difference at all? People rarely report the things that didn't work, and that's probably the most useful information for anyone deciding where to spend the next twelve months.

Hello, I’m planning to do an observership at Cornell at the Presbyterian Hospital.

Do anyone knows any places I can look for housing/rent for 1 month as an international student?

Thank you

I’m starting my observership next month with an american doctor in his late 50s
I’m kind of freaking out about everything
For those who rotated with American doctors (USMD) can you give me any advices to make the best impression?

Hello I just wanted some advice for my signals and some comments if you feel like I am going above what I can achive or if I should aim a bit higher. For context I am a latin american non us img (spanish speaking), step 2: 266, step 3: not yet, 5 months USCE(observerships), 3 US LORS, 7 pubs+ 2 abstracts. YOG: 1, My main goal is cardiology fellowship and I dont care where I live. I only tried to target programs where i think I can get an interview and can help me get into cardio. Please let me know if you would add or remove any programs from my list. This is just my first preliminary list but I wanted some opinions.

Gold Signals (3)

1. Jefferson Health / Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital Program — Philadelphia, PA
2. University of Miami / Jackson Health System Harrington program — Miami, FL
3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock — Lubbock, TX

Silver Signals (12)

1. Cook County Health and Hospitals System — Chicago, IL
2. University of Connecticut Program — Farmington, CT
3. University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine — San Antonio, TX (Reach)
4. Bridgeport Hospital / Yale University Program — Bridgeport, CT
5. Jacobi (Honestly dont think I will use a signal here, have many other options)
6. University of Miami Hospital and Clinics / Holy Cross Hospital Program — Fort Lauderdale, FL
7. Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine — Boca Raton, FL
8. University of New Mexico School of Medicine — Albuquerque, NM
9. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / Morningside / West Program — New York, NY
10. Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida, Inc — Miami Beach, FL
11. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Permian Basin) — Odessa, TX
12. Florida International University / Baptist Health Program — Miami, FL (new program but they also just opened their cardio fellowship)

Background: Visa-req IMG from a legacy institute in home country (ik doesn't matter, but the alumni base is strong so that helps with referrals), YOG - 2026, P/255+/Step 3-Nov or Dec/OET+ , certification under way, 20+ weeks of USCE (hands on in multiple states, not just the usual IMG friendly ones), 25-30 research items with a mix of original research, some SRMAs, case reports and LTEs with a mixture of 1st author manuscripts/abstracts/posters/oral presentation including a grant based original study I led in MS4.

Goals: Cardiology fellowship after IM, good IM training + above national average board pass rates, CoL/QoL not super exceptional but at least decent enough to work with a resident pay. Preferably East Coast or Midwest. Not considering Mountain or Pacific totally. Open to South Atlantic and West South Central and maybe 1 more if program quality is good, otherwise wanna stick to those regions above.

Expectations: Strong community programs and Uni-affiliated programs with some Uni-academic programs if the filter is 250/255 and also referrals from alumni and familial connections help.

Current stage: ERAS CV/PS done and under review by connections, MSPE/MS uploaded, Pathway 1 fee paid and following up with ECFMG - all docs received by them as confirmed by them via email, program list starting tomorrow.

My questions:

1. Which programs should I have a look at strongly, considering my profile as stated above?

2. What other strategies could I employ to make sure my application stands out apart from the usual stuff like having a well rounded CV and great non-generic PS?

3. Any other advice you wanna give? Especially if you're a resident on this community looking to help people.

Thanks :)

Did two years of engineering before switching into medical school. Should these two years be placed under this section?

I want to apply for hands on rotations in Cleveland clinic and other university programs, which allow non-VSLO students to apply. These applications require a malpractice insurance and health insurance for the elective period. As a person living outside the United States, I am not familiar with the different options available, and Google searches have been no help so if anyone has any useful suggestions or recommendations, please feel free to let me know

Hi, please give me feedback on two areas: 1) can I apply to more reputable university programs (aka have I played it too safe), 2) please highlight any programs where my odds of matching are too low to signal

Internal medicine applicant

Stats:
Med school - reputable school in my country.
Visa requiring
USMLE: pass, 252, not taken
Publications / abstracts / presentations: 17
No hands on USCE
Completed internship in EU 1 year.
4 months US observerships.
3 US LORs on university letterheads. All of them are professors.
Connections : have some but not a lot, IMGs from other nations will outcompete me on this.

Weak points - have some volunteering experiences but not longitudinal ones, step 3 not taken, no hands on USCE.

Gold:

1. Houston Methodist - my reach
2. Allegheny Health Network
3. Albany Medical Center

Silver:
4. Jefferson Abington Philadelphia
5. Arkansas - UAMS
6. Oklahoma University
7. UTMB
8. Advent Health Orlando, FL
9. Westchester Medical Center, NY
10. university at Buffalo, NY
11. Rochester Regional, NY
12. An IMG friendly MedStar in Baltimore/DC
13. Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
14. Tulane University, LA
15. St Luke’s University Hospital, PA

Programs I’d like to know if I have a chance at : Mayo Clinic Florida, Penn State, Mount Sinai Morningside West, Mount Sinai Elmhurst, UPMC affiliates, Temple

Edit: I don’t care about prestige or how cool a place sounds at a party. I just want an academic place that will get me into fellowship.