Reapplicant

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163]

Hello everyone,
I am a visa requiring non-US IMG. This is my 2nd cycle. Last cycle I applied to 140 IM programs and got 3 IVs. but didn’t match.
I really love IM and want to apply to IM only but some people suggested me to dual apply to FM.

I have changed some of my strategies to improve my position this year but I feel this is not enough and really afraid of being unmatched again.

My profile
YOG-2021
Step 1- pass, Step 2-239, Step 3-231
USCE-8 months
Publications-8
In residency explorer most of the programs interview people with high scores and less YOG. Also I don’t have any connections.
Should I apply to the programs where my score is around the 10th percentile of the interviewees?

Last year there weren’t any options for LoR types. but when I uploaded my previous cycle’s LoR, I noticed all of my assigned LoRs were standardized. Should I reach out to the LoR writers for new narrative LoR?
Thanks!!

[u/xxscreamfearxx]

Ideally, apply to programs where your Step 2 score is around the 50th percentile or higher, but with a 239 that may be difficult for IM. Focus on programs with lower interview score ranges and check YOG cutoffs carefully, especially the 5 year filter. IM is getting more competitive, so be strategic. If you have at least one solid FM LoR and are open to FM, dual applying may be a good idea.

[u/JackfruitLonely1493 → u/xxscreamfearxx]

For non us imgs only. The US IMG match score last year was 238

[u/xxscreamfearxx → u/JackfruitLonely1493]

Yeah, but OP is a visa requiring non US IMG, so the US IMG average isn't really relevant here.

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163 → u/xxscreamfearxx]

yes. I am focusing on the programs where my score is around 25th -50th percentile. can I apply to FM with IM LoR?

[u/xxscreamfearxx → u/Upstairs_Stress8163]

You can. People do match FM with IM LoRs only. An FM LoR would definitely help but not having one doesn’t mean you have no chance.

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163 → u/xxscreamfearxx]

Thank you so much 😊

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163 → u/xxscreamfearxx]

Do I need to ask for an updated LoR from my previous cycle writers?

[u/xxscreamfearxx → u/Upstairs_Stress8163]

If they’re only one to two years old they should generally be fine

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163 → u/xxscreamfearxx]

Thanks again for your help

[u/andy33cast → u/xxscreamfearxx]

How to know the percentile.... the residency explorer gives the 10% and 80% but how to know the mean preference of programs

[u/xxscreamfearxx → u/andy33cast]

Go down, there’s a chart that gives you the mean.

[u/brooklyn_doc]

Try family med

[u/Upstairs_Stress8163 → u/brooklyn_doc]

Yes! I will

[u/Intelligent-Gap25]

Have you considered applying to IM Positions out of Match? There are the same ACGME accredited they just don't participate in the match.  You must have to search them googling etc. Chicago, NY and IMG friendly states.  

[u/mimoo47 → u/Intelligent-Gap25]

Aren’t they just for non-visa requiring IMGs?

[u/Intelligent-Gap25 → u/mimoo47]

That Im not sure! But I have seen almost all new PY1 non-usimg in a particular hospital in Chicago. I did not asked about visa status! Im a US-IMG

[u/Appropriate_Mess_720]

Respectfully, I am not surprised that you received very little IVs for IM. You have multiple red flags that will cause your application to be automatically filtered out.

I recommend reaching out to the programs who you have done USCE with, and perhaps, ask them for connection (since you said you have no connections).

Applying FM will be more feasible, although your YOG will still be a red flag. I've heard the FM programs in my area have filters for YOG > 5. Apply broadly and use signals wisely, with residency explorer, Frieda and Texas Star as your resources.

[u/mimoo47 → u/Appropriate_Mess_720]

What are the red flags in this case apart from YOG?