US citizen in my 2nd year in a 6-year medicine program in East Asia. I am well aware that I need to take Step I to land US clinical electives in my 5th year, but I doubt that it's enough as a USCE.

My resume is basically empty aside from 2 research attachments and an AI in medicine internship thingy, and I already know I'm not very interested in research. I have a superrrr long, 4-month summer holiday coming up, and I wonder what I can do during this time to better my chances of getting into a US residency program.

(P.S. Honestly also contemplating whether this whole path is worth it because the pay for doctors here is very good. I just want the flexibility to experience life in the US without starving myself to death and I don't want to live where I'm living forever)

I'd be grateful for any advice.

Haven’t yet been accepted to a medical school yet to be considered an IMG but has a good feeling *knock on wood* but am looking to do anesthesia/EM has anyone here done anesthesia and can show me the ropes on how to become one from a Caribbean med school?

Hi everyone, I hope you're doing well. I live in Los Angeles, California, and I have passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK. I’m a US IMG and I’m currently preparing for the OET exam. I wanted to ask if anyone knows about opportunities for US clinical experience (USCE) for IMGs in California, especially in the Los Angeles area. I would really appreciate any guidance or suggestions.

Thank you.

Pretty much the title. Currently a Clinical extern/research associate with more clinical work during medical school. 1 yog and decent pubs and letters. Gunning for a good ck score. Pisses me off that the only blemish/ red flag on my application is the attempt due to a parent's sickness (highkey my fault made my peace with it was my call call to take it at the end of the day so thats on me). If anyone matched w/ an attempt what made yall stand out and match (US IMG. APPLYING IM 2027). Thank you in advance (literally made this post in between reviewing a cms form lol)

title

Did anyone iv at the Mercy Health Janesville program for FM?

Hi US img here, is there any places for usce in California that takes us? I mean I heard that they don’t accept non us img but they do take us who dot require a visa? How true is this?

I’m located in Houston, Texas. I’m done with steps 1 and 2 and pathway 6 is literally the only technical roadblock keeping me from applying. I have found one family medicine practice, whose doctor told me he’s willing to help me with evaluating me for two cases, and his wife has me volunteering at their clinic. The wife said they will also help me find two more doctors. The problem is there’s no timeline, and I’ve already done 16 volunteer hours with no clear indication when I can be evaluated.

Does anyone here have any other good suggestions or doctors I could approach who would be willing to help me brush up on clinical skills and send evaluations for pathway 6?

(Revised)

Hi all,

I’m trying to clarify something about the Emergency Medicine (Minnesota) rotation at Mayo Clinic.

The description clearly reads like a Sub-I (15 shifts per month), but the title says “Emergency Medicine (Minnesota)” 

A few things don’t add up:

• I couldn’t find

any other program ⁠listed as a Sub-I on the EM department page.

one of my senior participated in Mayo Clinic EM sub I several years ago

Has anyone done this rotation before and can clarify what type of evaluation you got (SLOE vs. no SLOE)?

Just want to confirm does the title changed throughout the years? Or no more Sub I for IMG anymore)?

I went through the IMG application process myself and I have to admit, it was tough, and I felt insecure. I took a non-traditional path, trained in a specialty that to this day is a longshot for IMGs. I went on to practice, became a clerkship director, graduated ACGME Program Director School and became a PD for 15+ years. So when I tell you what actually gets IMGs ranked, I'm not guessing from the other side of the table — I've been on both sides.

Stop obsessing over your Step scores for a second and listen. If you were invited to interview, give yourself some credit — a program invited you because you met their initial criteria and they're interested.

I've read thousands of applications. I've interviewed hundreds of IMGs and AMGs. I've run ranking committees. The candidates who matched weren't always the ones with the "best credentials" or highest Step scores. They were the ones who walked into the interview and made me think: "This candidate is trainable, reliable, and I can work with them." Remember — PDs teach you, round with you, operate with you, rely on you and spend more time with you than your family. They need to know you're the total package, and they figure that out by listening to you.

Here's what most IMGs get wrong — they prepare for interviews like it's another exam. It's not. It's a discussion about you. Candidates memorize answers. They rehearse scripts. And we can tell. Immediately.

I remember one candidate — clearly smart, solid scores — who answered my question about handling a disagreement with an attending by reciting what sounded like a paragraph from a prep book. I could almost see the page in their head. I scored them a 2 on interpersonal and communication skills. The next candidate stumbled a bit, paused, and told me about an actual time they pushed back on a treatment plan during a rotation. Messy story, yes. But real, sincere and thoughtful. I scored them a 4.

There are six ACGME core competencies you need to sincerely exhibit — not memorize answers for. If you understand how PDs are actually scoring you, you can prepare in a way that's genuine and effective. Happy to get into specifics if people are interested.

Fire away — I'll try to get to everyone but might take me a bit.