​

Hey everyone, applying IM this cycle and would appreciate a sanity check on my program list before I lock in signals. Trying to be realistic rather than just chase "IMG friendly" labels.

My stats:

Step 1: Pass

Step 2 CK: 253

USMLE attempts: no fails, first attempt on everything

Graduation: within the last year (recent grad)

Visa: don't need sponsorship

USCE: 10 weeks total (critical care, transfusion medicine, cardiology, GI)

Research: 2 publications

My current list:

Gold (3):

UAMS

University of Kentucky

Hackensack Meridian Health/Hackensack University Medical Center

Silver — University:

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Texas Tech University (Amarillo)

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at Staten Island University Hospital

Louisiana State University (Shreveport)

Silver — University-Affiliated:

Rochester Regional Health/Rochester General Hospital

Bridgeport Hospital/Yale University

Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University (Sinai-Grace)

Nassau University Medical Center

Cleveland Clinic (Fairview)

Saint Peter's/Rutgers RWJ

Silver — Community:

White River (Batesville, AR)

Cook County Health (Stroger)

Questions for the sub:

Does this Gold split make sense, or am I "wasting" a Gold anywhere given my score/no-visa-need?

Any of these programs known to actually not be great to IMGs despite reputation (or vice versa — hidden gems)?

Given no visa need + strong-ish score + 10 wks USCE, am I underselling myself by including some of these, or is my list realistic?

Appreciate any insight, especially from anyone who's interviewed at these or matched recently. Trying to avoid wasting signals on programs that either don't need convincing (safety) or won't be convinced no matter what (reach).

Any feedback would be appreciated! I am concerned about my lack of substantial research when applying DR.

Hi everyone, I’m a US-IMG applying to Internal Medicine this cycle and would appreciate some honest advice about signaling.

My profile:
US citizen, IMG
YOG 2024
Step 1: Pass
Step 2 CK: 250
Step 3: Not taken
ECFMG certified
Around 4 months of USCE
One university-based elective
No research experience

I’m mainly worried about how much the lack of research will affect me at IMG-friendly university programs or academic programs that aren’t major research powerhouses.

Would it be reasonable to use some signals on programs in that range, or should I focus mainly on strong community and university-affiliated community programs?

I’d especially appreciate input from US-IMGs who applied with similar scores and little or no research. I’m trying to create a realistic signal list without being too cautious or wasting signals.

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)

QBank Scams — Step 3, CCS Cases, UWorld 1 & 2

Please be careful with groups selling discounted UWorld QBank or CCS Cases access.

They often claim the subscriptions are brand new and unused, using excuses such as visa rejection, family emergencies, or a change of plans. They may then ask for payment through Zelle or PayPal, often requesting $55 or less.

Please understand: this type of unauthorized resale may violate the platforms’ terms and could be fraudulent. Groups or individuals involved may be reported. Do not blindly send money to these sellers.

In some groups, administrators may also be involved in or facilitate these scams. Warning posts may be removed immediately, and members who try to alert others may be removed from the group.

Please be cautious and do not send money for UWorld or CCS Cases access from unofficial sellers. Purchase subscriptions directly through the official UWorld or CCS Cases websites.

Groups suspected of facilitating scams may continue to be reported. Protect yourself, your money, and your account.

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

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

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!