Important Articles About IMG Medical Residency - IMGPrep

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Catalog of Residency Match Articles

IMG Friendly Specialties, States, and Programs: What It All Means for Medical Residency in 2021-2022

Nationally each year, approximately 58 percent of IMG applicants are matched with a residency program; that is compared to a 95-percent placement rate for non-IMGs. Thus, IMGs face unique challenges in finding the right program. Informed research is essential, meaning that it is important to know how and where to look to find good options. […]

Register for the USMLE Step 1 Examination-Step-by-Step IMG Guide

Background: Prior to the Registering for the USMLE Step1 What is the USMLE Examination? The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE: https://www.usmle.org) provides a direct route for primary licensure of all graduates of LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education)-accredited medical schools within the United States, Canada, and all international medical graduates of accredited osteopathic medical […]

Step 2 CS Cancelled: ECFMG Adds Pathways for 2022 Match

With the launch of the 2022 Match season a few months away, USMLE has decided it will cancel the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam that has been a required part of US residency program applications since 2004. The test had been suspended last May with the advent of Covid-19 when USMLE said it would take 12-18 […]

MATCH 2021 SOAP Eligibility and Process-SOAP Guide

Introduction: Every year, medical school graduates around the world diligently put together their applications for US-based residency programs with dedication, care, and high expectations. Most rely on the matching service of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and its ability to line up the priorities of residency program directors with the priorities of the applicants […]

Mark Your Calendars: What to Expect for Match Week 2021 and SOAP

Match Week is scheduled for March 15-19, 2021, and IMGs need to be aware of some important interim deadlines between January and March. IMGPrep is pleased to present “Match Week and the Second Chance (SOAP) Program: An Information Guide for IMGs” that is specifically designed to help International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) to prepare for […]

USMLE Step 2 CS—Its Suspension and Re-Introduction: What you need to know

**UPDATE 01/26/2021 The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and NBME, co-sponsors of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®), are today announcing the discontinuation of work to relaunch a modified Step 2 Clinical Skills examination (Step 2 CS). https://www.usmle.org/announcements/ The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is the one examination system accepted in every state, ensuring […]

ECFMG Certification Step by Step Process

 How do I become ECFMG Certified? Here’s the STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS We will consider the case of Carolina Sanchez, a graduate of a medical school in Brazil.  Carolina would like to apply for a Residency in the U.S. but is not sure what to do. Here is a step-by-step approach to acquire ECFMG Certification: STEP 1: […]

Eligibility For ECFMG® Certification

What is the ECFMG Certificate? Let’s start at the beginning. The ECFMG®, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (www.ecfmg.org), is a private, nonprofit organization, employing more than 800 people. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1956 and issued the first Standard ECFMG Certificates two years later. Since then, it has certified more […]

Virtual Residency Interview; Prepare Practice Ace

The vast majority of Residency programs have pivoted toward virtual residency interviewing  using an online platform in response to the health and safety dangers of in-person activities brought on by the global pandemic, as stated in mid-2020 by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): “Given the need for all of us to support the […]

Residency Interview Preparation Video Interviews 2021 Match

For the 2020-2021 Residency Match Season, the interview process for the thousands of programs across the United States will necessarily be done remotely due to the COVID-19 restrictions that have been put in place generally for Graduate Medical Education (GME).  This article describes newly recommended changes and restrictions and offers some guidance for what to […]

Instructions on Application for IMG Pathways for ECFMG Certification for 2021

On July 31, 2020, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical School Graduates (ECFMG) provided an important update for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who have not yet taken the Step 2-CS exam. They announced that starting August 31, their long-awaited instructions for how to pursue what is becoming known as “The Five Pathways,” which are some […]

How to Write a Residency Personal Statement: A New Guide for IMGs

How to Write a Residency Personal Statement: A New Guide for IMGs IMGPrep is pleased to present the IMGPrep Guide to Writing a Personal Statement IMGPrep Guide to Writing a Personal Statement that is specifically designed to help International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) in preparing an effective personal essay as part of their applications for medical […]

Finding IMG Friendly Residency Programs in the 2021 MATCH

As of June 23rd, IMGs have been able to obtain their ERAS Token as part of applying for US-based residency programs. This is an exciting time not only for IMGs, but also for the residency programs as well. They are welcoming their incoming class of interns and graduating their seniors. It is also the time […]

How to Obtain the “ERAS Token” for the 2021 Application Season

Starting on June 23rd, International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) can obtain their ERAS Token that is required in order to apply for US-based residency programs. This article provides basic information about the steps and organizations involved and offers information on changes that are taking place for the current application season in light of the COVID-19 […]

Couples Match Residency; An Overview

Every year, International Medical School Graduates (IMGs) research their preferred US-based residency programs and prepare their applications for submission. Each individual starts the matching process by registering with the National Resident Match Program (NRMP).If two applicants want to find placements within the same geographic area, perhaps because they are spouses or partners or friends, the […]

The New ERAS 2021 Residency Application Timeline Starts June 2020: What IMGs Need to Know

We are excited that the US Residency Program Match annual application season is up and running in spite of a period of uncertainty due to the pandemic. Just this week, ERAS issued its dates for the 2021 Residency Application Cycle. According to the new timeline released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), applicants […]

IMG Friendly Programs; The Top 10 States in US 2020

 2020 NRMP Main Residency Match®: Match Rates by Specialty and State study, the Top 10 Most IMG Friendly States are: The Top 10 Most “IMG Friendly” States in 2020As an International Medical Graduate (IMG), when you consider what US-based residency programs to apply to, a critical factor is also knowing where to apply.  When it comes to […]

Why Location Matters When It Comes to Residency Match: The Top Ten IMG Friendly States in the US

When International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are considering where to apply for their US-based residency programs, they often have their own personal preferences, yet a look at trends as to which locations offer the best opportunities for a successful match is key. Having a strong, well-developed ERAS application is paramount, but a key question is where best […]

Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE): “The Dean’s Letter”

Overview One of the important requirements of many residency program applications is the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE).  While also known as a “Dean’s Letter” the MSPE is much more than a simple letter and includes several components. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has established guidelines that include a suggested template, and some […]

Maximizing The Impact Of Your Application From Interview Selection To Ranking! MATCH 2019_2020

Informed decision making, this is a common phrase in medicine but most importantly it is the key to optimizing positive outcomes especially in making the important decisions in preparing yourself for the US Residency Match. At IMGPrep our first question for candidates is where it is you see yourself in the next 3-5 years. What […]

10 IMG Steps To Medical Residency in the USA

How do I get a medical residency in the USA as an International Medical Graduate? U.S. Medical Residency for International Medical Graduates (Foreign Medical Graduates – FMG) is a common goal, but the path to IMG Residency Match in the USA can be confusing and overwhelming. If you are an IMG (earlier used abbreviation FMG) […]

2018 Residency Match Statistics Overview

Are you interested in applying to medical residency in the USA? Do you wonder how you can increase your competitiveness in the IMG Residency Match ®? As an IMG Residency Match candidate, you must have a fundamental understanding of the Residency Match process. To do so, it is imperative that you understand Residency Match statistics […]

Personal Statement For Residency : The Basics

What is the purpose of the Medical Residency Personal Statement? A personal statement is the sole document where an applicant is provided a blank slip of paper and has full control of presenting themselves to the Residency admissions committee. Your Personal Statement for Residency is not an exam that will score you or a LOR […]

20 Residency Personal Statement Writing Tips

Residency personal statement – How to write? Many IMGs are nervous about how to write a personal statement for residency. For applicants who are still mastering English, the thought of writing a page-long essay can seem daunting. Worse still, ERAS application directives are vague, and many applicants are not sure what they should write about, […]

Residency Interview Questions – The Right Way To Get Ready

50 Most Common Medical Residency Interview Questions Residency interview questions are what you need to be prepared for when it comes to interviewing. To answer difficult residency interview questions with the confidence you need to understand the purpose of the question, and how the question relates to the unique scenario offered by the residency program. […]

Residency Interview Preparation

Related link: Residency Interview Preparation Service How To Get Ready for an Interview, Top Residency Interview Prep Tips. There are residency interview prep tips you must keep in mind while preparing for a medical residency interview.  All of these steps will be revisited and reinforced during the IMGPrep Residency Mock Interview, where our professional interviewers […]

7 Steps to Generate Additional Residency Interviews

Have you submitted your ERAS application to desired residency programs and received no reply? Now is the time to consider contacting some of these programs to request that they reconsider your application. The following is a step by step process that has yielded positive outcomes for some of our candidates. Why not give it a […]

Residency Program Requirements

Programs have strict residency program requirements and you’ll be competing against other qualified candidates. Adhering to the residency programs requirements and applying only to programs for which you qualify will get your application the most reviews. With a carefully prepared application and some hard work, you can catapult your application to the top of the […]

Residency Interview Important Enough to Prepare with the Coach

Medical Residency Interview Specificities and Importance The first thing to do is not panic! You can approach your medical residency interviews the same way you approached all of your USMLE exams, by careful, deliberate, and methodical preparation. At the same time your interaction during the interview and visit is one of the top three factors. As […]

You didn’t Match? Review Your ERAS application!

IT’S TIME TO STRATEGIZE…. • What can you do in the next year to improve your chance to match? • Can you realistically assess your credentials and determine what you can do to be more marketable and get more residency interviews next year? • What’s missing? Thoroughly review your ERAS application. • Do you have […]

International Medical Graduates – USMLE Scores

How should International Medical Graduates prepare for the US residency match? What would be the best path to ensure success? International Medical Graduates making the decision to pursue postgraduate medical education training in the US are on a rewarding path, but not a simple one.  The process is not only academically competitive, it also requires […]

Are You Applying to the Wrong Residency Programs?

“Which residency programs should I apply to?” “Which residency program list is IMG Friendly?” We get these questions all the time. But there’s another important aspect of the applications process that many applicants do not consider. Not only is it important to select the correct programs to apply to, it is important to apply correctly. […]