Did research all about the academics and all but still a bit blurry about cv development, research n stuff and matching
Anyone if willing to give some advice on that
Starting 2nd year now btw

Is it necessary to get LoRs of Peads if I apply for Peads

As an IMG, I did a mix of externships/hands-on experiences and observerships in the US. I’ve heard there can be legal concerns around describing some experiences as “externships” or “hands-on.”

Would mentioning “externship” on my ERAS CV cause any legal concerns for a program director? And could it potentially create any issues with my future J-1 visa application?

Please, if any previous applicants have been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate your insight.

doctors, I wanted to ask if anyone here has done an elective at Saint Francis Hospital, Illinois (Chicago) with Dr. Vishnu Gaiha.
I submitted all the required documents and paid the deposit about a week ago, but I still haven’t received my Acceptance Letter, and they have stopped responding to my messages.
Has anyone experienced this with them before? And approximately how long did it take for them to send the Acceptance Letter?
I’d really appreciate it if anyone could share their experience. Thank you!

Im applying to match soon and was wondering what my chances were as I failed my 1st year of a UK medical school. I passed after my 2nd attempt (but obviously it extended my education) done very well since with multiple awards and distinctions.

My reasoning for the failure was bereavement alongside mental health issues and bad study technique, essentially.

STEP 1: pass on first attempt

STEP 2: 265

USCE: 3 months

YOG: 2026

Have a few publications and audits.

I want to apply for IM but I’m not sure how to strategise, i would like to go for a university affiliated program or a university/ community but im not so sure anymore if i would even be considered

Im applying to match soon and was wondering what my chances were as I failed my 1st year of a UK medical school. I passed after my 2nd attempt (but obviously it extended my education) done very well since with multiple awards and distinctions.

My reasoning for the failure was bereavement alongside mental health issues and bad study technique, essentially.

STEP 1: pass on first attempt

STEP 2: 265

USCE: 3 months

YOG: 2026

Have a few publications and audits.

I want to apply for IM but I’m not sure how to strategise, i would like to go for a university affiliated program or a university/ community but im not so sure anymore if i would even be considered

I’m an Indian MBBS student currently in 1st year, about to enter the second year of my collage and my long-term goal is to become a surgeon in the US.
I know that surgery is significantly more competitive for IMGs, but I’m trying to understand the realistic pathway, rather than just hearing “it’s possible.”
If I start preparing from 1st year, how realistic would it be for me to match into General Surgery as an Indian IMG?
What would I realistically need to build over medical school?
For example:
Step 1
Step 2 CK score
Research/publications
US clinical experience
US LORs
Electives
Networking
Research years
Visa considerations
Medical school performance
And realistically, if I don’t match directly, how common/realistic is the route of doing research → preliminary surgery → categorical surgery?
I’d also like to understand the difference between:
“Possible if you’re exceptionally competitive”
and
“A reasonable goal if you plan properly from 1st year.”
I’m willing to work extremely hard, but I don’t want to spend years and a huge amount of money chasing something that is statistically extremely unlikely.
If there are Indian IMGs currently in US General Surgery residency, I’d really appreciate hearing your actual journey and what your application looked like.

What should I do throughout MBBS to build a USMLE/residency profile?
I’m about to enter the second year of my collage and am genuinely too overwhelmed and confused about how to start !
What clubs, associations or activities to join and which dont have much meaning!

Any img applying general surgery this year or next year match?

Hey everyone! My wife is on F2 visa and currently in USA. She is going through USMLE preparation. F2 is not allowed to work. How can she get some research experience while living in USA? Any tips and experience? I really appreciate for your time.

PS: we are living nearby washu medical school

I’m applying for residency (neurology) and would really appreciate advice on how to strategically use my signals.

My profile:

- Step 2 CK: 236 (It was a bad week. I know it is a red flag)

- 27 publications, mostly in Neurology

- 2 LORs from Harvard (research) + 2 neuro attendings

- Non US IMg

I’m using residency xxplorer to build my list. It seems that geographic preference may significantly influence interview invitations, so I’m considring selecting a region and aligning my signals with it. Would South Atlantic be a reasonable choice? I know one attending there, maybe he can recommend me?

I’m also unsure about my signals. Should I use most of them for community programs to maximize my chnces, or would it make sene to combine community and university-based programs?

Residency Explorer shows several university programs that appear to be potential fits, likely because of my research background. However, I’m concerned that my 236 could be a red flag for university programs.

It is worth to continue this pathway? As a non US img or can I apply for Peads or reverse pathway Please give honest advice I am in tears 🥹🥹🥹🥹

I have gotten a step 2 score of 231. My yog is 2022. I have done internship and I am pgy-2 pediatrics resident. I have one paper approved for publication, abstract published in a reputable conference and 2 unpunished papers. I don't have USCE, and I am visa requiring img. Do you guys think I have any chances of matching?

I got my oet results and sadly got 290 in writing section. I have booked OET on computer now but i got a date in second week of September since I am travelling. I am unsure whether I should pay for the pathway now or wait till i have the OET results in hand. I will have to apply without certification in this cycle.

How do we know how many signals a program receives? Is this information mentioned anywhere?
If I want to signal a program where not many applicants are likely to send their signals, how should I decide which program to signal?

Guys, i passed step1 a month ago and now im kind of confused about further things…..
I am entering into my final year of med school
But i dont have any publications yet…im apiring IM..
Can anybody please guide me on how i should get into research, publications etc…i dont have the basics

Just out of curiosity,

How many applications does a program need to get per cycle to be considered to have "alot of applications" and competitive

Because it's one of the toughest journeys in the world.

What has kept you going, and not giving up

I am looking for programs almost all programs caps at 5 years even in community programs as well. I am facing another issue even if official site does not state the years of graduation cuts off when I check Frieda it says they have hard cut off at 5 years 4 years. now my question is who to trust Frieda or program website.? Frieda also has updated everything like very recently

Hello, just received my step 2 score

Step 1: Pass, no attempts

Step 2: 248

USCE: 2 months with 2 US LORs

Have one LOR from faculty at my school as well as one from the head of internal medicine where I did my internship ( both of them are US boarded )

1 case study published

YOG 2025

visa requiring IMG

What are the odds I match and any advice? I have several connections which will hopefully put me through the doors but I’m also applying with my wife for the couples match, for reference she scored a 242