My USMLE Match Story | Journey, Struggles, Mistakes and Program Reveal

In this video, I discuss my USMLE match story and the entire journey spanning over 2 years !
My Profile:
Step 1: Pass
Step2: 267
Publications: 5 Pubmed indexed, 3 submissions
USCE: 6 months, Observerships
Date of Graduation: 2022
First Time here?
Welcome to my channel! 🌟 Join me, Ujjwal Soni, a recent grad from the University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, as I chase my American residency dream. 🩺🇺🇸 Come along as I tackle the highs and lows of the USMLE, sharing study tips, personal stories, and insights into medical education.
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Instagram: /drujjwalsoni
Twitter: /drujjwalsoni
Email: [e-mail]
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#usmle
#USCE
#internalmedicine
#usmlesteps
#usmlestep1
#usmlestep2ck
#unitedstatesclinicalexperience
#usmlestep3
#usmleforinidans
#whatisusmle
#usmlestep2
#clinicalrotations
#observership
#usmlepreparation #usmleprep #usmlestep #usmlecoaching #usmlecourse

[@AbdulHaseeb-uc7oq]

Hello Dr Ujwal , being a guy who's following you since your observerships videos .We have seen your struggles . And that times when you became a little emotional during the video , I felt that from my heart . At that time when you jumped with joy saying Oklahomma with you , I jumped with you too . I just want to say you really deserved all of that - so happy for you ,and best wishes for the new journey with new challenges i.e residency :D

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

This is such a sweet comment ! Thankyou so much for all your wishes 🙏♥️

[@shrutikborda8382]

So many congratulations for the big match! Appreciate you sharing your journey very much! One of the most geniune and honest advice out there....

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much! :)

[@karannbhardwaj2519]

can't believe i'm this proud for someone who just came into my recommendations. good luck

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you for your kind wishes 😄

[@AnindyaPanigrahi]

Thanks for showing the reality and struggles which are not really shared to us by Dr. Manik Madaan who shows USMLE as Rainbows and fairytales.

[@titly1175]

Congratulations will b too small word to appreciate your hardwork!!Its the result of all nightmares,all tough journeys, all lonely moments, all sleepless nights,and above them,all mountains of research and proper studies.Dear brother,you hv got what u really deserve. You hv more beautiful miles to go ahead.with your continuous effort and our immense love and good wishes,u will reach your next goals too.usmle is the greatest dream of my life.your success is the greatest motivation for our hard work.for us,celebrities doesn't really imply the actors or singers, rather students like u are the celebrities and role models for us...😊😊. CONGRATULATIONS 🎉

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou for such nice words 😇 I wish you all the best ♥️

[@titly1175]

@@DrUjjwalSoni 😇😇

[@dr.rashimahajan]

Congratulations !

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyouuu and same to you too buddy 🤜🤛

[@ahmadfarooq5919]

Congratulations Dr Soni and thank you for showing us your journey in detail. I learned some good insider info from this video. Thanks.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Glad I could help :)

[@Tanishaj21]

Almost cried towards the end. You shared your story so beautifully that it felt like i was experiencing it with you. I’m at very initial stages of my usmle journey and this is exactly what i needed to hear. Thank you for sharing and all the best!

[@RETS929]

Woahhh! Hearty congratulations to you Dr Ujjwal! So happy for you :))

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ayeshaasghar3753]

Been following your journey through your videos for some time now. So happy for you Dr Soni. Many many congratulations 🎊

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you 😄

[@Satpalsingh-fd6xf]

A video we all wanted!! Thank you and congratulations. I hope to have a day like this in my life too! ❤

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I hope you do one day ! 😇

[@deus.galaxy]

Congratulations 🎉 doc As a USMLE aspirant your achievement gets me hope ❤

[@BidhitaBehera]

❤❤I loved your reaction

[@audrey3480]

Congratulations!! Brought tears to my eyes just listening to the build up of anxiety while waiting for interview invites, and then the relief when you finally matched. So so happy for you! I'll be applying to a competitive specialty (OBGYN), your videos are super informative and helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and experiences with us all!

[@pragyapandey577]

Such a good storyteller, seemed like you were reliving those moments while narrating them, good luck for your upcoming ventures 👍👍

[@harshitahooda4313]

Sir thank you so much for sharing your raw and honest experience. Stories like yours give us the courage to believe that hard work will pay off, no matter where or when you start in life.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you and I wish you all the best :)

[@srana5049]

Many congratulations!!! Well deserved success .

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou 😄

[@muddanaseshagirirao3537]

Good achievement Dr.Soni n Congratulations 🎉🎉 wishing u will get great achievements in future also n it will be inspiring some body aspirants and even also my son n he studying 3 mbbs in AMC, AP

[@mrsaifie]

congratulations your story really inspired me i am going to start my 3rd year of mbbs next month .Your story was inspiring i am also going to do usmle and will start my journey from now

[@averagedoc]

Thank you! Honestly this was the video which I needed. I also started post internship and always bit scared ki is it possible or not, this video really helped me in that sense. Currently starting with step2 (with basket, pizza strat) Also big congratulations on this achievement ! much deserved, ! ALL THE BEST

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

You got this! Goodluck

[@imranalireshi9342]

Congrats man! Seems like quite a journey. You deserve it.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou 🙏😇

[@Thekinan007]

What a wonderful video Dr.Ujjwal. You took us through all the emotions you felt and we truly felt all the emotions too ! I really appreciate your efforts. I’ll be giving my Steps soon and this has been so inspirational. Thankyou so much and all the best on your residency ✨💙

[@harshapudhotachoudary8780]

Such a motivating video! Even though this was your first video i watched, i connected with your story very much and it was truelu inspiring!!! A very heart congratulations sir!!!

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much!!

[@ShristiManandhar-vi1qm]

Congratulations🎉🎉

[@jaiahuja]

Love it. Refreshingly honest …Hope we meet someday - well done and well deserved buddy!

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much Jai ! Would love to see you as well. 🤜🤛

[@archnasoni9524]

U deserved Keep going Many more to achieve Proud of you 💐💕🙌👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@OmerMohd]

This video is a true inspiration Dr. Ujjwal! I recently started my USMLE journey as a final year medical student. I hope to have a chat with you once my Steps are over! All the best for your future endeavours>

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I wish you all the best as well :)

[@sandrasebastian3511]

You did a great Job Doc! Hats off 👏

[@docsurbs]

Wow! So insightful! Got to learn so much from the video, best wishes for residency!

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou. Glad I could help :)

[@qazishurjeel6948]

Congratulations! All the best for your residency!!

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou 😄

[@mansichaudhari2842]

Hi Dr.ujjwal Just a girl who started watching your observership videos last year ending and after few months decided to follow this path of usmle.started preparing just one week ago and today watching this video makes me so happy and inspired. I have witnessed journey of someone who worked so hard and won it and now i think i can do this😃 Your journey has totally motivated us! Congratulations to you. You deserve it!!💯💯💯

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you for the kinds words Mansi. Goodluck to you for your journey !!

[@kartikbakshi7540]

Congrats man iam first year mbbs student at aiims i will prefer usmle over neet pg. Thanks bro ❤❤❤ Many congratulations 👏🎉

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Goodluck :))

[@smit.patel2000]

Congratulations and best wishes for the future 🎉

[@satviklodha5219]

Hi, many congratulations ❤, I have started the USMLE journey for myself, but am at a similar stage of being overwhelmed by the amount information , but i still can't decide whether its would be worth it today or just stay in india, could please share a video taking about your experience in US residency and how is it different from india, many videos in the net felt kinda watered down and unauthenic, i really need words from someone in IM who i can trust properly

[@khushbu_luhar]

Congratulations ❤

[@padmajahawaldar4319]

Congratulations 🎉🎉

[@madhusudhan3699]

Really relatable situation of mine just now I feel the same after neet pg 2024. Haven't done anything till now for USMLE. But now I strongly feel that I want give USMLE it's helps if I can contact you. You resembles my exact situation right now.

[@Rriri077]

Congratulations Dr. Ujjwal!

[@bushra2751]

congratulations this video feels so personal and inspiring. You made it🥳

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@vanimaheswaran3207]

congrats, happy for u

[@tab8294]

Congratulations 🎉 sir

[@imranbhatti3174]

🎉🎉. I am watching your videos and they are amazing.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Glad I could add value 😇

[@imranbhatti3174]

​@@DrUjjwalSoni I Have few inquiries regarding electives etc. I sent you mail. Please reply me.

[@tab8294]

How r u gonna pass the J1 waiver? By coming back home country or bypassing it?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Too soon to decide on that

[@Harini1719]

Congratulations 🎉

[@dr-sen2000]

thanks for sharing ur journey. its the most genuine video on usmle journey i hv seen. i am also in a same process. hope to meet u inperson someday

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you so much for all the kind words 😄 would love to meet as well 😇

[@dharaniprathipati826]

Beautiful journey ☀️✨🩺

[@jayantsharma3870]

Y am I having happy tears . ❤

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Haha ! ♥️

[@jayantsharma3870]

Bhaiyya please be frank and answer to this one question- you obvsly are intelligent par aap mbbs k shuruat se effort laga k pade ho ya mbbs k bad concepts seekhe h ? Please please I need an answer , because as a student who have the potential to perform well I wasted my mbbs career in frnds and college life and chill , ab sab bandkrke I’ve started studying, so curious to know abt ur mbbs journey . Please

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

@@jayantsharma3870I was the back bencher and last to study for my exams. Never scored more than 60% in any of my mbbs exams.

[@hasanh5812]

Soooo inspirational exp 🎉🎉🎉😮

[@umairahmad3050]

Congratulations

[@pragathimunnangi2197]

Congratulations on matching in your first choice!! Can you please share regarding your research / publications just to get idea of your overall profile. Thank you

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thankyou ! Shared that in my description :)

[@pragathimunnangi2197]

@@DrUjjwalSoni just saw it ! Thank you so much

[@anjalisrikanth5357]

thanks for letting us know what to expect!! could you please make a video on how to choose which programs to apply and tips for filling out eras cv?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Check out my usce masterclass video for program list

[@AbhishekSharma-vu2gn]

Woohooo!! Many congratulations man! Such a ride! So happy for you. Also, can you make a video about best visa strategy after starting residency as an IMG?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Thank you ! And sure Ill make a video on this soon :)

[@rlawal225]

Congratulations Doc. Can you make a video on your submitted publications or post the link if you earlier made a video. Also can you share the 5 other programs that gave you invites. Thank you in advance 🙏🏿

[@amalomer3113]

Thanks for sharing

[@smritak402]

Congratulations!! 🎉 Could you please tell us about your research experience/pubs?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I had 5 pubs and 4 submissions.

[@petalloungebhatti6669]

Where did you take the professional training for interview

[@muhammadabdullah6338]

Congrats Doctor !….you started usmle journey after graduation on jan 2022 and completed all of these things at the end of sep 2023….So, Doctor during this time you just studied full time…how did you manage in interviews?….because it shows a gap of 1.5 year in your cv….

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I was working as a JR for that duration

[@hethirpara2916]

Impressive

[@dhruvagarwal77]

Sir when did you start doing research?

[@jyotshnachauhan5351]

Sir I am doing my mbbs from a private mediocre college in bihar with no usmle alumni seniors but my college is present on wdoms and is also eligible for usmle. I am currently in 1st year and in this year I am focusing on getting my basics strong and from 2nd year decided to start preparation for usmle step 1 for that my resources are going to be First aid U world Nbme Boards and beyond And I am going to give my step 1 at the end of 3rd year apart from all these I am actively doing volunteering services + participating in quizzes debates and trying to get more and more academic achievements for my cv. After completing my internship I am going to appear for step 2. And after finishing all this and graduating I am going to start my usce and get lors from those. Sir mai private college se hu with no usmle alumni itna sab karne ke baad mera ye mediocre college se hojayega naa ?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Ofcourse!! You will do well. Loved your research in the process so early on

[@jyotshnachauhan5351]

@@DrUjjwalSoni thank you sir so much for replying

[@sanyawalia7796]

How many publications did you have?

[@snehasabu8485]

Hi..your story is really inspiring...could you please name some of the hands on clinical externship for IMGs

[@Mimi-bn6yi]

Hello there , I just failed step 1, after that ecfmg they send me this email, they suspend my application to any step exam for a year do to anomalous performance, readiness to test and motivation to pass, I don't know what's wroung, I fail my test due to anxiety, I prepared well but I got so anxious tired during the exams and I run of time and leaving some questions without answering and some of multiple flags,,, so what should I do, I already start to study again, should I wait or this will be more reg flags to get match next year, or changing the whole path to UK? Did some face same problem here?

[@Itzdas26]

Chances of getting internal medicine

[@revabatra7808]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

♥️♥️♥️

[@uchihasasuke6748]

Congrats brother 🎉🎉,really happy for you.Btw how did you go to John Hopkins at the end of 3rd year?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Yes :)

[@supergiant563]

Plz make a video about your NEET UG journey and which MBBS college you got !!! Plzzzz

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I am from UCMS, Delhi

[@utkarshhv]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dr.rushikagandhi4696]

Can you please share link of the Dorian Anki deck

[@210tanyanazar2]

Could you please share which all LORS you submitted and from where all you got interview invites?

[@no-one140]

Very informative❤How many LORs did you submit

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

4 :)

[@JiaGill-y4b]

URGENT!!!!🚨 hi..i am planning on joining a new medical college (first batch would be me) its newly approved by NMC..please tell if i’ll be eligible for USMLE because i heard college should have graduate students to have sponsor notes and all but this year now NMC got accreditation by WFME and it is being said that all medical colleges approved by NMC will be eligible no matter sponsor notes and WDOMS please let me know weather i should join the new college??

[@saulmike4423]

Do u recommend step 2 before step 1 as i have just given my final year and i think I’m more in touch with clinical subject

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I’d not recommend it because I feel a lot of step 2 concepts are derived by vis Step 1. But that is just my opinion, if you confident then you can consider taking it

[@saulmike4423]

Thanks

[@gourabsarker9552]

Sir what kind of salary do you expect to earn as an internal medicine doctor in future? Plz reply. Thanks a lot.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Will disclose when I get my payslip !

[@wasaib4739]

Hi Ujjwal. Congrats brother. Been following you for five months now. Can you please let me know if you were interviewed at a program in Syracuse NY?

[@wasaib4739]

I am just wanting to see if they send invites to their observers. Thank you! best wishes

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

No I didnt, you probably need to have resident recommendation.

[@wasaib4739]

@@DrUjjwalSoni hmmm. Thank you brother!

[@RaviUday]

congrats Ujjwal. Happy for you. One question : being a UCMS UG grad (top in the country) how come you settled for Internal Medicine and not any surgical (like most do) specialty

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I wasn't interested in surgery. The time it'd have taken me to complete surgery (5+1) years, I'd complete my IM residency plus fellowship.

[@Okiedokieyes]

Its pretty hard to match into surgery ,img settle for FM,IM @@DrUjjwalSoni

[@nishaddas4854]

Hey can you plz tell how much is the cost for your total usmle journey

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

It was approximately 25000 usd

[@gourabsarker9552]

Sir which university internal medicine residency program? Plz reply. Thanks a lot.

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Watch the video :)

[@sandrasebastian3511]

Hi Doc , congratulations on the massive success , I have a doubt , on my USMLE journey rn , I am doing internship now with just 6 months left to graduate , I learnt that Electives should be done before graduation. Now what can i do , what is the next best step i should take , any Telerotations before graduation or Externahips after graduation?

[@Suzume1774]

How did you manage the coast?

[@shoanayyer4103]

Hello, did you apply for rotations via agency or you applied to the hospital directly?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Didn’t use any agencies !!

[@bdfifafreak7322]

Please brother answer my 1 imp question... You said your internship ended on 2021 but in the description you said graduation year 2022 . Can you clear that confusion of mine how these 2 are different ?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Degree is usually delayed by 6/7 months hence graduation date is delayed

[@33asjidali58]

Bro 1st of all congrats for getting into first priority.Your story is extremely motivational you spoke inside out.Would you like to help me i'm opting the path for usmle i need some guidance and clearances of mind.How can i contact you?❤❤❤

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Keep an eye on my Instagram and LinkedIn. I’ll post to join the mentorship group soon :)

[@33asjidali58]

@@DrUjjwalSoni ok

[@malaikahassan5344]

Hi, Congratulations on you match!! So happy for you. Can you please guide me, can we make vlogs/vlog channel while being in US on visitor VISA? If we don't monetize it? Is it allowed ,if we are doing it as a hobby?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Absolutely!!

[@hisokamorow4789]

Hey did u have like any connections in us like who can vouch for you In my case I am applying for 2025 cycle and everything is going good externships are planned and everything but I don't know a single soul in us like no seniors mentors I am on my own no connections so do you think without connections I can't match?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

You are going for USCE ! That is a golden opportunity to make connections !! Check my ‘Mistakes to avoid during usce’ video and make the best use of them. Networking increases your chances of matching ! I didnt have any connection at place I matched to

[@hisokamorow4789]

@@DrUjjwalSoni thank you so much for replying sir

[@buntysingh-kz2wb]

Hey which visa did you get for residency J1 or h1b ?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

J1

[@buntysingh-kz2wb]

@@DrUjjwalSoni you have J1 visa so sir after finishing residency you have two options right like go back to your home country for 2 years or work in unprivileged area for few years so what are you going to do? I have heard that it is hard to find work at unprivileged area so most imgs have to return back to their home country for 2 years is it true?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

@@buntysingh-kz2wb The first clause is true but its not hard to find jobs for J1 waiver.

[@buntysingh-kz2wb]

@@DrUjjwalSoni thank you sir for replying

[@khan_2901]

hello. firstly congratulations on your match :) .secondly can you please let me know if MD in USA is equivalent to MD in India , I mean do you register as an MD in India as well?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Yes, absolutely :)

[@saiyeedatahrima6850]

Did you do all observerships in all your rotations?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Yes !

[@proggachowdhury4868]

Sir how to apply for observership ?... And u told you went to usa in 2018 .... In Johnn Hopkins how did you apply for it?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

check my usce masterclass video

[@srana5049]

Hi dr ujjwal, I know you once shared a list of IMG friendly programs. I forgot which vlog it was in. Please let me know which vlog it was ?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Usce masterclass

[@srana5049]

@@DrUjjwalSoni thank you 🙏

[@saveifesayomi1820]

Doc please I'm also hav usmle aspirations just like you did years back but my fear is my medical school grades aren't on distinction does it affect my chances if I did well in the boards for IM?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

I never scored more than 60% in med school days if that helps 😅

[@buntysingh-kz2wb]

Sir I am doing mbbs from nkp salve medical College nagpur and I want to start my usmle journey but sir my college is not visible on wdoms website. Sir what should I do how can I confirm if my college is ecfmg certified?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Try getting in touch with your seniors or academic section

[@traveldestination4243]

So OET not required ?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

it is required

[@sobychiegboka2931]

Hey Doctor I’m applying for match 2025 How do I contact you for mentorship?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

There’s a link in my Instagram bio

[@DocTor__CaT__1603]

It's so competitive 🥲😭

[@MedicusVishalus]

Congratulations 🎉

[@avhamandal4861]

Congratulations

[@newsfacts812]

How many publications you had?

[@DrUjjwalSoni]

Mentioned my profile in the description :)

[@amalomer3113]

Congratulations 🎊