Medical Residency Applications Advice Tips from Program Directors

[@nps571]

I’m glad i saw the comments because the video was discouraging

[@18muhammadkhatib16]

Thank you for being so honest! Even the harsh truth also helps... only then we can be well prepared!

[@aditipatil2237]

This was very helpful. Thanks a lot to each one of you who took their time out to guide us.

[@Dr.vivek.chittithoti]

PDs are vetting applicants harder than us secret service vet their candidates for presidents protection ..lol...

[@chefeur]

This feels somewhat like a scam. So many img doctors are pouring money and effort out to take the steps and equal amount of money to apply to residency, only to hear imgs can be filtered out based on certain factors with a click of a finger. Hospitals should rather be just upfront... and inform applicants that if you failed this or that dont apply.

[@CN-vv6wm]

yes where is the transparency? why don't school's post basic residency profile stats for each year? Is it because connections play a greater role than the numbers? Is it basically not how well you do but who you know?

[@mike112693]

@@CN-vv6wm just from watching this, its clear that who you know matters as much as what you know.

[@crzymonkey64]

Thank you for your guidance. I will send you all a thank you note after I match this year.

[@docreyaz2370]

Hi, I'm an IMG and I have done MD Internal Medicine from China also I have gap of 4 years since I passed MD Internal Medicine. I'm applying for USMLE step 1. What kind of advice you have for me. Should I mention in my application that I have done MD Internal Medicine from China or not??

[@kelogus]

This is the most discouraging video por IMG, I can tell mostly the gentlement in the blue shirt is very discriminative. At the end you can even see when he rolled his eyes when she asked for advice for the IMGs this is off the hook.

[@crzymonkey64]

They are providing a lot guidance and value. Take the good and ignore the unhelpful.

[@omarcaro3361]

Or maybe realistic 😞

[@freshnesss7043]

100% agree..

[@kyesg1217]

Also noticed how “racist” he is right from the start. Maybe he had a bad exp w/ IMGs

[@abuwadie3]

How can your program be outside of the match? Never heard of that. What’s the benefit of that?

[@baronerocks]

Yes, residency programs can choose to enter the match or not. If they are outside the match then they can fill their positions without having to wait till match day. I have seen many IMGs match this way. :)

[@seldom7288]

Bunch of narcissistic power hungry directors , they usually aren’t accomplished doctors who suffer from social rejection and low self esteem hence they take this position that doesn’t pay extra despite it being a stressful and time consuming position while still working as a clinical doctor. How do I know this ? My father is a program director.

[@doctorwithapurpose]

This is really helpful. Thank you very much!!

[@Ann-ne1fu]

It seems that they do not look at each applicant as a whole package! They just choose the easiest way and filter them. PDs who are doing this will miss many good applicants. Having high scores does not necessarily mean that a person could be a good doctor. The "whole CV" should be considered.

[@Alex-kt7fk]

How is paid clinical experience looked down upon? IMG's have no other way to get away rotations in the US without paying 1000's of dollars. The only way it's free is if we do an observership, but of course that's not favorable either. What a lose-lose.

[@mikeletterst9882]

You can always stay in your country and practice

[@seldom7288]

@@mikeletterst9882 Or we can work in other countries that have a better healthcare system and cherish us like Germany. America is soooo over rated my god.

[@daud798]

Very Informative , Very Good

[@samik3184]

This is the most IMG non friendly crap that I've come across so far. A bunch of pretentious program directors on a power trip of their lifetime. Smh

[@eddevlin72]

Sameer M I got on residency, from Ireland. If you want it you will get it

[@TheMegazapor]

@@eddevlin72 you got the residency in Ireland?

[@anubs6558]

is it just a coincidence that to find no comments here?? dont worry guys PDs dont have the time to gp through you tube comments section ;p

[@stevenreichert3264]

I am a PD and I reviewed the comments...

[@arghyadeepganguly3848]

I know I shouldn't laugh but this is way too funny

[@ikramkhaliq6440]

@@stevenreichert3264 hahaha!

[@megrocks3026]

@@stevenreichert3264 lol.. are you one of those in the video?

[@mikeletterst9882]

My program and I generally eliminate applicants without Visa, or have failed attempts and large gaps. We then review each application and select individuals with unique stories and the desire to succeed.

[@charlesclintonmd]

Hello Mr Letterst, I am a US- IMG who graduated medical school in 2013. I went on to apply and get accepted to Cardiology residency at my home country Costa Rica. Completed residency by Jan 2021 but do not feel fulfilled. I want a program that gives me all the tools to be my best version and I found my program limitting. So I completed exams and am eager to go to the US and match a competitive program; even if it means starting from scratch. My question is: would I be filtered out from your program based on time since graduation? If so, what should I do? I am willing to do whatever is needed.

[@mikeletterst9882]

@@charlesclintonmd Hello Dr Charles, you have a solid resume and many programs would be interested in someone with your level of experience. Unfortunately, some programs will also filter out older graduates. But, don't let that discourage you and focus on certain aspects of your applications that you can improve. Best of luck!

[@charlesclintonmd]

@@mikeletterst9882 I highly appreciate your response and understand that it might be somewhat of a limitation but I won't give up. I am willing to show I have aged well and improved my mindset and skillset. I would like to know more about your program. Please let me know where I can contact you. Thank you in advance.

[@docreyaz2370]

Hi Sir, I'm an IMG from India and I have done MD Internal Medicine from Jiangsu University China. I want to apply for USMLE step 1. Kindly provide me some suggestions

[@sadiaaleena9845]

Hi Sir! Hope you are doing well! Sir I’m an IMG from India. I graduated last year in September 2020. If I apply in September 2023 with a 3 year gap(from the YOG i.e 2020),will I be rejected?

[@Pkramani2017]

Red flags! Before disqualify any US IMG with 10 years of experience please also suggest other options to survive with family in USA? One of my friend he committed suicide while in depression because of these red flags he didn’t qualify despite applied consecutive 5 years.

[@danielstan6055]

It's not the end of the world. Go become an NP or a PA. They are the big thing. I qualified as a Nurse Anaesthesiologist in my 5 years stay in the US while applying for match. I hope to match this year in IM. Residency is not the end of the world.

[@anitapatel6752]

Fabulous video. Thank you for sharing!!! I need your help with this question, which may sound dumb. Will be soon applying for residency in IM (GME applicant). Was lucky to have opportunities for substantial research in digestive diseases/cancer and radiation oncology in med school. I am drawn towards GI as my ultimate career goal. Is it ok to share my ultimate goal during IM residency interview. Since lot of schools probably trains majority of IMs to meet the needs in primary care, urgent care, hospital medicine and so forth. Will I be impacting my chance for IM if I share upfront my underlying intention to do IM is to get into GI?

[@LJStability]

"I don't read the personal statement...". Bro, I'm a medical student and if I'm going to write about my experience and why I want the specialty, your old ass better read it. I get you have a lot of applications, but knowing whether someone can write a competent story and narrative about their reasons for their specialty makes a huge difference. If you want score monkeys, then by all means go for the scores. But don't complain when your resident is functionally inept to talk to people.

[@freshnesss7043]

Exactly.... this just seems so obnoxiously favoring certain group of students only. There are many of us who struggled so much because we didn't have the financial support like others and had to work our way through medical school to reach where we are. My scores were affected because of my struggles does that mean after getting this far in journey I should be excluded just by my scores. Does only people with high scores become great doctors? When I see patients at the clinic as student they request to see me again and praise me in front of my attending for the way I provide care for them. This is really saddening because some of us gave up so much to reach this point after so many years and these PDs sound like we are worthless and shouldn't even bother applying. This is why so many commit suicide because we invested our whole life into this journey and the only thing we want in our lives. Very depressing.

[@Ultimate_Warrior879]

@@freshnesss7043 Thankyou for inspiring me elder brother .

[@airbender7778]

This is so toxic.

[@brianajaxwintor6023]

It's academia , that's pretty normal.

[@daNaz245]

Hi. I'm an IMG, just recently emigrated to the US on a green card. I'm 6 years post graduation. How are my chances in view of when i qualified? Dr Lieber says 2 years, that worrisome. So i know not to waste my time and resources. Any replies are welcome

[@kerrimchayle1213]

Before you count yourself out, try. Always try. These men represent hospitals in the North Eastern US. Yes, they know a lot but your story is your story. Try.

[@radhikaawasthi4810]

As long as you do well on the usmle steps and build a good cv, I 'd say you still have a good chance, especially because of your green card. In fact, it would even help if you have additional work experience during those 6 years. Some programs are sometimes looking out specifically for people with prior experience. Its always a good thing to at least try and put your best foot forward!

[@falahemm8148]

How’s it going for you

[@mukeshyadav-pc1jj]

tq

[@Pkramani2017]

Wish I could drag them to courts or myself punish these crooks

[@mikeletterst9882]

Providing applicants with Visa is a very long and inconvenient process. Failing any of your exams will result in elimination during the prescreening process. I would say only 2-5% of programs will actually take the time to review an applicant with failed attempts. They didn't say anything wrong, we just don't want incompetent applicants..

[@shawnli9284]

@@mikeletterst9882 is the 2-5 % for all specialties?

[@shawnli9284]

@@mikeletterst9882 I’m us-IMG so no visa needed.but failed step1 by some points unfortunately. I just don’t know if passing with ok score on second try will be worth it.

[@mikeletterst9882]

@@shawnli9284 If you did well during your second attempt and score 240+ on CK, you'll have a decent chance of matching into Family Medicine.

[@pulse1272]

Yes 17:32 is pure nepotism and unethical....listen again .

[@abuwadie3]

As a family doc. I do not find the internal medicine docs knowledge or training to be more profound then ours. In my humble opinion if you are an IM and do not choose to go into fellowship..then there is no sig difference. Both at that point are doing primary or hospital work. And in that case, at the risk of sounding bias... IM’s have not received training in Peds -obgyn, nor were they required to manage and deliver at least pts babies to graduate from there program.

[@danielstan6055]

Agreed. Worked with an FM and IM in primary/hospital work and the FM guys blew them out of water.

[@mike112693]

this is only funny because this is how I imagined these dbags lol

[@pulse1272]

17:32 Did I just hear an admission to nepotism? Is this even ethical ?

[@danielstan6055]

IMGs with Greencards that waste their time applying for the residency for over 5 years. Please you must reconsider. Go back to nursing school or PA school or try US medical school (since you have a green card). Residency is not the end of the world. I took an accelerated nursing program within 2 years and got my MSN. I've gone to become a CRNA and i am still applying for IM residency. You can also get an advanced degree and make progress for yourself. I see IMGs driving uber, lyft and doing menial jobs...CNA, hospital tech etc and it's shameful. My point is that: There are times when you should be realistic. Money and comfort is what matters most in this capitalist USA. Living miserably while never achieving your dreams is the most horrible form of ineptness.

[@mikeletterst9882]

Hey pal I think you should eat sht

[@danielstan6055]

@@mikeletterst9882 You should eat shit too. That is being realist! Some IMGs spend 8 years applying for residencies and it DOES NOT materialize. Some even take up menial jobs instead of just moving ahead with other careers in ALLIED HEALTH. Doing another closer job helps one stabilize while still applying for medical residencies. MY POINT IS : HAVE A PLAN B! Do not let the system frustrate you because it would! That is my point. If you are angry that i said people should have a plan B, then you are an idiot and you should eat shit. N/B: I got 3 interviews in anesthesiology and 1 interview in Internal Medicine. My stats: MBBS, MPH, BSN-MSN and Certified Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA). Wish me luck! My year of Graduation is 2008. I think i would get pre-match in Anesthesiology!

[@jhonorozco5315]

should I just quit? :'(

[@baronerocks]

Never quit on your dreams. There is always a way if your committed! There's lot of good tips for match on my website and you can also message me when you have questions.

[@whiteboardmotivation9812]

@@baronerocks need your help . How can I contact you

[@baronerocks]

@@whiteboardmotivation9812 You can contact me via email baronerocks at gmail.com

[@aboawad7532]

This kind of the other perspective for IMG and to realize the whole picture

[@elizabeth5193]

Very sad that you filter out people just based on test scores. There are people who may not be the best test takers, but they are determined and persistent and would make excellent doctors. There is a serious problem with the system if there are thousands of medical students who do not match.

[@freshnesss7043]

100% agree... They don't even deserve to be PDs. We should look at their scores and credentials.

[@Benboy887]

What else would you filter people out on? The rest of the measures are pretty subjective.

[@valarmorghulis364]

The guy in the centre! Ugh!

[@karenchavezn]

The New York........... of medicine?

[@vatsaldesai1243]

We have Dr. Robert Downey Jr. Here!

[@thesuccessfulimg6885]

Pure gold!

[@Transparentsubs]

why don't you guarantee everyone a residency spot after medical school? why do you have to give international medical students a chance and not a US graduate? and now you have a shortage of doctors during this pandemic! Change the system!

[@jaagrutthheancha4993]

Everyone needs a chance and had a right to choose their own pathways likewise even International medical graduates have a right to opt their own carrier choice and also American medical graduates do have their own .,.,., if any person has a will then they can do anything they wanted and also don’t comment on the shortage of doctors it’s not about the system that is needed to be changed it’s the thinking...