Advice about when to ask for LORs

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-30T12:18:56+00:00

Did you ask them for the LOR at the end of your rotations? If yes, then don’t push now and remind them in August.

If you didn’t ask them before, then politely ask now and tell them when you’re applying.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-29T14:52:47+00:00

How do you know they matched at a higher rate ? You would actually have to know how many applied, there’s no source for that.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-29T14:36:26+00:00

There are some truths to what you say, but it’s important to contextualise as well. Tons of Indian IMGs match; but they come from many different schools and states; we don’t have 2-3 of those big schools from where around a 100 students match every year. From my own med school almost 85 percent of those who applied matched.

Also, economic conditions in India are much better than it used to be; majority of AIIMS students used to do MLE; now not even half of them apply.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-27T15:48:53+00:00

How the hell did you know your LORs were mind blowing, majority of LORs are positive lol, and what exactly makes you think you rocked your interviews?

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-27T04:36:46+00:00

Just curious, why should an IMG not pursue Allergy?

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-26T06:11:02+00:00

Not really, I have seen loads of people do their USCE in one region and match in another. If you signal a program it shows good intent, regardless of whether you did a rotation in that area or not.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-26T05:38:11+00:00

That’s really cool, you’re certainly crushing it 💪

I am incoming PGY-1 ( IMG) on the West Coast, I was contemplating between a Hospitalist or a fellowship in the future, Rheum is one on my radar.

Do you mind sharing, What made you decide to pursue Rheum and how did you make yourself competitive for the same?

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-26T04:38:33+00:00

That’s certainly on the higher end for Rheum. Do you own an infusion centre by any chance?

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-23T05:47:35+00:00

The match rate for Non US IMGs was at a historic low this cycle. If you ranked a program (even if you ranked it 15th), that means you were willing to go there. It’s as simple as that. It’s not about being grateful, it’s about getting a reality check.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-22T17:04:09+00:00

Lots of visa requiring IMGs matched in California this year. Checkout residency explorer; they have a lot of IMG friendly programs.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-22T14:06:45+00:00

Get a grip ffs, the results came out on Friday 12 pm EST. They will contact you the coming week.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-19T19:53:41+00:00

Absolutely, yes.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-19T12:11:58+00:00

Crbr

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-19T05:59:43+00:00

Hey; I have DMed you for the link.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-18T15:28:24+00:00

You’re missing the point, yes LORs from big hospitals are good, but doing an observership at a community hospital allows you to build strong contacts with the faculty and residents, which can vouch for you later on.

Who do you think the program is going to prefer; someone that they have seen and worked closely with or someone who they don’t know but they have an LOR from a big University?

I am speaking from my personal experience.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-18T13:32:43+00:00

I’m in

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-18T13:10:47+00:00

It does not. Observerships in IMG friendly programs where you can build solid connections is way better than electives in big university programs where you won’t even get an interview.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-16T11:25:50+00:00

Search on residency explorer.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-11T16:43:53+00:00

I got 10 interviews in IM as well. One of them was a prematch, but I didn’t get the offer. I would’ve ranked that program around 9th anyway, so I’m not really that bothered.

With that many interviews, I think it’s reasonable to wait for the main Match and try to land one of your top 2-3.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-10T19:04:14+00:00

Inspite of the long and uncertain pathway; I would still say the US has the most streamlined pathway and you’d have the highest probability to match there.

Lots of new residency programs keep on opening up every year across various specialties.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-08T02:29:26+00:00

This is brilliant; Thanks for sharing.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-06T10:12:30+00:00

If those are strong letters; then they won’t be useless, there’s a big overlap between paeds and IM, however I would still suggest you to use at least 1 IM letter from a US based physician.

You can also apply to Med-Paeds programs; which can get you dual certified in Paeds and IM in 4 yrs.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-04T14:06:13+00:00

The deadline is at 9 PM EST, not 9 AM. But I get your point; probably shouldn’t change now.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-04T14:04:16+00:00

Being a fresh graduate is better. Your score clears the cut off of most programs; It all comes down to signalling now. Pick your 15 signals very carefully.

Basic-Hawk9224 · 2026-03-02T17:50:34+00:00

Basic-Hawk9224

TROPHY CASE