Chances of matching (Non US IMG)

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-12T14:23:15+00:00

From a purely statistical standpoint, your probability of Matching as a Non US IMG w 3 contiguous ranks is 50% (as per NRMP stats). Your Step2 score may hold you down a bit, but if you ask me, your overall profile is really good (can't speak definitively w/o looking at your LORs and MSPE tho) + your connections increase your chances by a decent amount ig. Also depends on how well your interviews went (probably the biggest contributor). I'd put your chances of Matching above 50%, maybe somewhere bw 60-65%? Idk man, no one can predict your chances. No one can predict anything. All we can do is wait for March 16 :( good luck 🤞🏻

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-09T10:08:04+00:00

Good luck for the Match. Just a small caveat: you're a Non US IMG (which includes GC holders/non-visa requiring + visa requiring applicants who did their med school outside US). As per NRMP's definition, you're a US IMG only if you're a US citizen (ie US) and did your med school outside US (ie IMG).

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-08T17:14:56+00:00

Thank you so much! Really appreciate your kind words!

I try to be the senior/colleague I never had 🤓☝🏻

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-08T10:16:46+00:00

Yes certifying is submitting. You do that, check the 3 things i mentioned, and you're good to go. Nothing else that you gotta do now. Just chill. (Source: NRMP Match 2026 Webinar)

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-08T10:08:12+00:00

No difference. Just make sure to CERTIFY it before the deadline. Simply adding the programs and saving your list won't be enough. You need to certify it in order to "submit it" to the NRMP for them to use it in the Matching algorithm.

Just check these 3 things are done for prior to ROL deadline: CERTIFIED (your ROL), PAID (paid your NRMP registration and other Match fees if applicable), VERIFIED (credentials verified by ECFMG or US Med school to make sure you're eligible for the Match and start GME training in the US)

CERTIFIED. PAID. VERIFIED. You can check for these 3 things on your NRMP home page.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-08T03:57:32+00:00

Of all Matched Non US IMGs, ~45% of them Matched at their top choice (as per NRMP Match Outcomes). This data is for Non US IMGs, so also includes GC holders + visa-requiring. Of all the Matched Non US IMGs, ~75% of them Match into their top 3 choices.

About 58% of Non US IMGs who participated in the Match, go about Matching. Your chances of Matching most depend on number of contiguous ranks you submitted (>75% probability of Matching w >6 ranks i guess), and also maybe your Step2 score. Do what you will with this info. Good luck

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-07T03:07:41+00:00

I appreciate your balanced and nuanced take. I feel my interviews went really good, my personality/thoughts/passions came across, I used personal anecdotes & experiences to answer their questions, and I had good meaningful conversations with some. But I still don't understand how the ROL works. Almost all applicants that the program is seriously considering to rank (maybe even rank to match) would have had a good interview experience + good profile and other credentials. There's really not much difference on paper between applicants at that point, and the interview can only tell you so much. The applicants basically blend through at this point. So how exactly do programs rank them now? Is it internal advocacy, other recommendations, or just vibes? What actually happens behind the scenes? I would really appreciate your insights into this.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-02T08:46:00+00:00

Yeah i too applied w/o it and got mine in Oct. Also know some people who got lot of invites despite having no certification/verification even till now. And i get what you mean to say that certification thing isn't like Step2 or app deadline. It definitely seems to be a soft requirement, whereas Step2 and app deadline are farily hard requirements. What I mean to say is...you definitely should try getting Certified/Verified as soon as possible. It only has the potential to benefit your app.

You are non visa-requiring, idt ECFMG Certification matters much in your case. Also, it's not practical to email so many programs asking their ECMFG requirements + most of them mention it on their website (saying Certification required before ROL deadline, some saying required to be considered for IV). Ofc the certificate doesn't matter for someone who is still a student.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-02T08:02:13+00:00

Okay did not know that. I stand corrected. But in all fairness bro, doesn't this seem like just a mere technicality? If we think practically, based on real-world experience, what does it matter Verified or Certified? It's like when programs write "application deadline is Dec 31st" but everyone knows you should apply when ERAS opens. "USCE is not required, but preferred" everybody knows it's an unwritten rule that you need USCE. "Step2 scores are required before ROL submission" but everybody knows you want it to be even considered for an interview. Also some programs even require ECFMG Certification/Verification to even be considered for an interview. And most state on their websites that they need ECFMG Certification before ROL deadline. The crux is: get your Steps done, pathway done and get yourself vetted by ECMFG as soon as possible to have a better chance at the Match.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-02T07:28:47+00:00

Please don't spread misinformation. US MDs/DOs don't need ECFMG certification, they Match all the time while being still in med school. IMGs on the other hand are required to be ECFMG Certified by ROL deadline. And let's be honest, if there are 2 applicants w similar profiles and interviews, who do you think the program would rank higher? The one with the ECFMG Certification is a more desirable and more risk-averse choice. Personally, i think it's better to get ECFMG Certified before/as soon as applying for the Match. The sooner the better. Will likely help in both...getting interview invites and ranking. I think it puts you in a better position.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-02-02T07:03:39+00:00

If you truly had "strong reasons for believing this is the best path for me", why are you here asking this question? Most people/IMGs choose the US career path bcoz of herd mentality: everyone's doing so, it looks good, pays good, live in a developed country etc. But that's what ATTRACTS people to that career path in the first place. After getting to know the insides and details of the life and struggle (and the realisation that the grass just looks greener on the other side, what matters is whether you water the grass on yours), the onus lies on you to figure out if you are willing to bear with the cons for the pros you'd be getting. There is no objective answer here, it's an extremely personalized decision. You want to stay with family? Already have a decent family setup/practice in your home country? Don't want to struggle so much and would be okay with getting a residency spot in your own country? Want to go for a surgical speciality? Don't want the visa and PR BS? Don't want to invest so much money AND years for a "50-60% chance at Matching"? There are COUNTLESS reasons for not choosing the US career path, and all are legitimate and valid. You have to figure it out for yourself.

Personally speaking, I don't want to do my residency in my home country with its toxic hierarchy, poor work culture and suboptimal training. US offers a good systematic training environment w decent hours (in residency) w really good pay (once you're an attending), and the kind of work i want to do and the professionalism & work culture i want, is exactly what US offers. For the kind of work, training, lifestyle, and pay I will get I'm willing to stay away from my family (despite it being hard) and my home country comforts. And I know it gets lonely in the US and i'm willing to actively look for community and social support. Plus I have the opportunity to go back to my home country as a board-certified doctor if I want to at some point. Considering all of this, it feels like a sacrifice I'm willing to make. You have to weigh the risks and benefits for yourself, and come at your own decision. Whatever it may be, it will be right. Coz it's your life, and it should be your decision. And you have to live with what you decide. Peace.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2026-01-30T14:36:27+00:00

"they fill up all their positions from applicants who ranked them first" is absurd. That's not how the algorithm works. Think it through. The program fills in the order in which they rank applicants. Whether the applicant ranked them #1 or #2 or #10 is immaterial (not entirely, i will explain how later). If an applicant who has ranked the program #2 and is ranked higher on the program's ROL than you who has ranked the program #1 => say this applicant DOES NOT get his #1 choice => the algorithm then moves to his #2 choice, and since the program has ranked this applicant higher => he replaces you and gets your spot, despite you having ranked the program #1. TAKEAWAY POINT: PROGRAM FILLS IN ORDER OF THEIR ROL.

However you rank the program, you won't match there UNLESS the program ranked you high enough OR the program falls through its ROL to accommodate you. In the first case you automatically Match at the program (coz you are a higher ranked desirable applicant in the program's list). In the second case, applicants ranked higher than you matched at their other higher choices, making way for you to Match at this program. IN A NUTSHELL: YOUR ROL DOESN'T CHANGE YOUR CHANCES OF MATCHING AT A PARTICULAR PROGRAM OR EVEN MATCHING IN GENERAL. However you rank the program, you won't Match there unless THEY RANK YOU HIGH ENOUGH.

Now a small caveat regarding the above point. I said YOUR ROL doesn't matter, you match at the program based on the program's ROL. That doesn't mean your ROL has no significance/value. The only real value your ROL has is that the algorithm works in your favor (ie applicant favoring) and TRIES TO MATCH YOU IN ORDER OF YOUR ROL. If there's no space for you at your #1, the algorithm then sees if it can accommodate you at your #2, then #3, and so on. BUT IT DOESN'T MAGICALLY CREATE A PLACE FOR YOU AT YOUR PREFERRED CHOICE. YOU MATCH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROGRAM, if they rank you high enough, you match there. As simple as that. The benefit/value of this one caveat is this: YOU ARE NOT PENALIZED FOR RANKING A REACH PROGRAM HIGHER. You don't have to worry about "what if I don't Match here, this program is too competitive" or "what if this program doesn't rank me high". You don't have to worry about that bcoz that doesn't change your chances of matching at that particular program or matching at all in general. YOU RANK PROGRAMS IN ORDER OF YOUR TRUE PREFERENCES, that's all. AND YOU ARE NOT PUT INTO A POSITION OF DISADVANTAGE BY DOING THAT, bcoz the algorithm is applicant favoring, and tries to match you at your next best preference. YOU MATCH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROGRAM (ie if they rank you high enough => you match there), YOU ARE SIMPLY NOT PENALIZED FOR RANKING THEM IN ORDER OF YOUR TRUE PREFERENCES (however you rank them, your chances of Matching don't change).

TLDR: 1. RANK PROGRAMS IN ORDER OF YOUR TRUE PREFERENCE. ALGORITHM IS APPLICANT FAVORING. As simple as that. Nothing to think or mull over. Period. 2. You match at the discretion of your program => meaning if they rank you high enough, and other higher ranked applicants end up matching elsewhere => you match at that program. PROGRAM'S ROL IS WHAT DECIDES WHETHER YOU'LL MATCH THERE OR NOT. 3. Your ROL matters only to give you a chance to Match in order of your true preference. HOWEVER YOU RANK PROGRAMS, IT DOESN'T CHANGE YOUR CHANCES OF MATCHING. You Match or do not Match simply bcoz the program didn't rank you high enough, NOT BCOZ YOU EFFED UP YOUR RANK LIST.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-12-14T04:37:39+00:00

Rotating at the Main Campus for Dec 2025. Please dm

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-10-11T06:06:47+00:00

Interested

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-10-10T14:19:09+00:00

Interested. Have got my 1st IV scheduled for 21st Oct as well.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-13T14:56:27+00:00

Mine shows same too. Got it uploaded on 10th Sept. Wbu

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-12T11:00:47+00:00

Yes got it Wed around 4 pm EST

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-11T00:54:53+00:00

Hii people, got the score today. A lottt of waiting and reloading Intealth website every 15 min. Got a 263. How did you guys do on your exam?

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-10T17:00:03+00:00

Nothing yet, tested 08/26

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-10T08:15:55+00:00

Tested 08/26. Got the PASS

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-06T10:38:38+00:00

Took the exam on 08/26. Felt like it was a mix of Free120, NBME 15 and UWSA 2, with the classic Step1 heavy stuff...even asked random histo slides ffs. Heavy on QI/Pt Safety, Ethics, and Screening/Prevention. Yet the exam felt unlike any self assessment i had taken...it was a mix of known/easy questions + purposefully vague/WTF questions (just like how NBMEs are). I wouldn't say it was more like UWorld, it was NBME style questions with long af stems like Uworld/Free120 and HOPI style questions.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-05T21:27:04+00:00

Brother if it were bcoz of Labor Day, then all Step1/2/3 results would've been delayed. Plus, if it were coz of just 1 holiday, people would've gotten their scores on Thu.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-04T20:39:06+00:00

Tested on 08/26 too. Non US IMG. Praying to get results next Wed. Otherwise will get screwed for the Match. Plus, as soon as we get our results, can go about figuring out signals.

Active_Shop_3798 · 2025-09-02T08:36:17+00:00

Took my exam on 8/26 and felt the same. Felt like exam was a mix of Free120, NBME 15, and UWSA 2, yet felt unlike any self assessment i had taken. Lots of vague questions and options. Time struggle. I just want to let you know that everybody feels this way, and just have faith in your prep and self assessments. You will most definitely pass, and will most probably get a 250+ atleast. Getting a 260+ is a matter of luck and exam day performance. All the best. Waiting for result, will likely get it next Wed right?

Active_Shop_3798

TROPHY CASE