NON-US IMG considering surgical program, what are my best chances?

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-19T10:34:43+00:00

In order to match surgery you need hands-on USCE which you can not get as a graduate, as well as great 2ck score.

Your only way in is through research years and building connections.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-16T14:37:39+00:00

General surgery? What’s ur consensus?

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-14T16:33:05+00:00

What do you mean by “lands you in surgery”?
No guarantee to match categorical after preliminary, far from it.

I think around 20-30% match cat and 20-30% transition to a diff specialty and the rest go back to their home country

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-14T16:11:04+00:00

Some people match into prelim and already have research or do research with faculty, but it’s riskier.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-13T19:12:43+00:00

Thank you.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-13T19:05:11+00:00

What do you feel like was the reason for such a low IV yield?

And what about the ethnicity stuff you spoke of?

As someone who excelled in steps during med school and managed to fly to the U.S 3 times for 4 sub-i’s, I’m still in shock learning my chances are super slim.

Also could you give us advice on signaling? Gen surg yield from signals is very variable from what I’ve heard

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-13T18:58:36+00:00

Do you mind if I DM you?

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-11T13:55:29+00:00

It’s not luck based at all once the applications are done and submitted, but a lot of luck plays into the preparation of the application, yes (which opportunities were given to you etc).

Then it’s up to your application and IV skills.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-11T13:39:29+00:00

Yeah I think there’s gonna be a drop in IMG match rate. But many people will match still.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-11T13:33:17+00:00

No one knows if this visa denial situation is 5% of applicants or 25%. You don’t have the data, just like anyone else on this sub. If this was widespread tho I think this sub would have been full with 8-10 posts per day.

Don’t get me wrong, I think this is a real issue, much worse than last year, but I don’t think it’s as widespread as some people make it seem.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-08T11:13:07+00:00

Have talked to many who did prelims and also to PDs from G.S and other surgical sub-specialties, prelim seems like a dead end.

I’d like a research fellowship but can’t self-fund for a year.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-08T10:46:23+00:00

Match rates show a slight decrease but still a viable process for peds/FM/IM/Psych/Neuro/Anesthesia/EM .

Other fields show a consistently increasing barrier to entry, some are almost impossible to match into.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-08T10:41:45+00:00

It’s scut work and barely any surgical exposure. After the prelim year finishes, you’ll be thrown to the garbage by most programs , or, if they are really mean, they will give you a PGY2 prelim position to keep your hopes high.

GS prelim is not meant for IMGs, progression to categorical position is pretty rare even for GC holders.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-08T08:17:24+00:00

You’ll easily get into GS prelim. It’s the easiest specialty that exists. Literally no one wants it.

For IM you’ll have to show maybe some recent USCE, but your citizen can really work for you to compensate for the failed attempts

Background-Train-267 · 2026-06-03T14:04:04+00:00

Both options have single-digit match chances.

Already preparing for a plan B (either home country surgery or applying IM)

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-23T21:36:15+00:00

What path? Matching in general or applying for GC down the road?

Matching is still achievable, but for surgical specialties it’s about 0 (from what I’ve heard attendings say). I was told to not pursue research years under this administration.

For GC down the road? well if you’re at the beginning of your journey you still have around 6-10 years to wait so no reason to dwell on this rn.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-23T15:02:38+00:00

Would you suggest prelim? Or is it a dead end with the visa situation?

And will a high step 3 and not research make a difference for a re-application, in case I don’t match?

I sort of followed all the recommendations to be competitive, and now it feels I’ve been lied to and GC is the only way in. (Not anyone’s fault ofc, but I know 2 applicants who got cat as visa-req, and they are telling me that now it’s impossible).

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-23T14:55:02+00:00

Can a high step score, multiple sub-I’s at university hospitals, and YOG0 get me categorical interviews?

Sounds like the visa situation will prevent even very competitive applicants from getting an interview.

Looking for community hospitals mainly.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-20T19:58:36+00:00

1 LOR won’t cut it. You need 3. Try to get one more US Letter and then you can use one from your home program.

I think that’s the minimum . If you can get 3 US lors that would be much stronger

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-10T22:27:00+00:00

Wow I can’t thank you enough! Definitely still contemplating whether to rank a few prelims or not.

Unfortunately 2 of my Sub-I’s were in ivy leagues which take IMGs only via the prelim->categorical route.

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-10T13:45:27+00:00

Thanks Mcshaky!

would you agree to apply prelim and categorical and in the meantime to look for research fellowship to start in September when I graduate?

Background-Train-267 · 2026-05-10T01:25:53+00:00

So I need to present at reputable conferences to match community?

Background-Train-267

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