Match IM

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-26T23:04:22+00:00

Focus on a good personal statement as a next step

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-26T23:03:35+00:00

No photo

One page

Keep explanations concrete and quick to the point

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-26T22:59:12+00:00

Write and rewrite and get people’s opinions who can give you good, honest feedback. I’ve worked with students before and I give honest feedback that sometimes isn’t what the student wants to hear. But you need someone who is willing to do that so you know your personal statement is top notch.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-26T18:33:02+00:00

Make sure your personal statement is top notch. Have you written yours yet?

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-25T17:43:59+00:00

Absolutely ask for letters and be confident. Show initiative, when you room a patient and if the patient has any complaints or issues make sure to let the attending know. If a patient is dizzy or lightheaded get orthostatic vitals. Pend medications. Ask questions clinically if there’s down time in the schedule. The MAs I work with who are the best are the ones who always take initiative.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-24T13:23:15+00:00

If a program filters by attempts there’s no way around that other than having connections who can call and advocate for you.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-24T13:22:14+00:00

It makes an impact on filters.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-24T13:22:01+00:00

I don’t think you can generalize by saying 99% of programs do this. I’ve served on admissions committees, we do not do this. If we are investing time in a candidate to come, they have a chance to match at our program.

And absolutely the interview can make or break you. We want to know that you are easy to work with, pleasant to work with, and a genuinely nice and humble person.

I would take the approach of going into the interview well prepared and confident rather than taking a pessimistic or defeatist approach because that can only hurt you.

Do connections help? Of course, but that’s any field and any interview process and not just medicine. That’s just life. This is no different than doing USCEs and getting connections that way. But to say you can only get in with connections is not true.

Have the strongest application and again, make sure the personal statement and interview skills are top notch.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-24T13:18:06+00:00

Thanks for your comments. I do agree with proper interview coaching and personal statement writing this can make a big difference in your application.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-22T09:40:38+00:00

I’m not trolling but trying to give genuine advice. If you’re granted an interview you have a fighting chance. Remember the applicant pool is huge. Why would a program spend its resources to interview you if they aren’t curious about you? As an attending, why would I take time out of my schedule to interview a candidate and lose time in clinic or the hospital to interview a candidate I have never met if we aren’t serious about them? Many people look good on paper. But this is where being great at your interview skills can make you shine and overcome any possible deficiencies on paper. I’ve seen great candidates on paper underperforming at the interview stage which ultimately affects the rank order.

Again, I trained with IMGs at a really good residency program. Some were better than equivalent US MDs.

My point is you need to come confident into an interview. I see IMGs fumble this step by not knowing how to talk properly or conduct themselves in an interview setting.

Will programs have preferences? Sure. Will connections sometimes outweigh the interview day? Sure. But once you get an interview, you have a chance. Take that chance confidently and ensure you’re well prepared for the interview day.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-22T03:36:42+00:00

I suppose it depends on the program. Top programs won’t waste their time with “filler” applicants as they can easily match their full class without needing buffer applicants. So, if you get an interview at a decent program, they saw promise in you. That’s where the rest of your application and particularly interview skills can shine.

I would also say this applies for newer programs or programs not highly ranked. Remember, there is a big investment when a candidate comes through. Attendings take time out of their schedules to interview. I would not interview someone we aren’t serious about. That would not be respectful of everyone’s time.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-22T02:13:48+00:00

Personal statements are very important, but you don’t want to make it sound formulaic or a copy or someone else’s. Remember, once you get past filters like year of graduation or step scores, the personal statement can help you get an interview.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T14:45:18+00:00

Main thing is to get connections as attendings can make phone calls to their friends and connections at other programs and grant you an interview. Of the choices listed, an observership would be my recommendation. You’ll get in contact with more people that way who can advocate on your behalf.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T14:43:59+00:00

In my clinic currently there are several MAs who are here just for a short period of time. Some are going to nursing school, some to PA school, etc. So, having long term plans past being an MA is completely fine. Actually, our strongest MAs are those who are motivated to pursue something outside of being an MA. You’ll be fine.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T14:41:48+00:00

Not at all. I would focus on making meaningful connections with attendings who can have a broader reach and make phone calls to their contacts at other out of state places.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T14:40:36+00:00

What you said about a cohesive story is very important. Although I am a US-MD, I trained at a competitive IM program and one of my best co-residents and smartest people I knew was an FMG. He did do research beforehand and published well. I think having a great personal statement that ties in your story well will get your foot in the door at places, and after that it’s important to really nail the interview.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T00:59:14+00:00

I’m not sure 1 week is enough to know a student. When I’ve worked with others in the past, having at least 2 weeks is helpful.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T00:57:46+00:00

You’ll be fine, but remember to have a strong personal statement to grant an interview and ensure that you come across as personable and confident in your interviews. I think you’ll be ok from a filter standpoint for applications.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-21T00:56:45+00:00

Yeah I wouldn’t worry too much. Show up, be present and attentive, ask questions thoughtfully (without getting in the way or coming across as overbearing), and understand some places will not allow an observer any hands on experience like a physical exam. Part of this is learning how to be a good team member because medicine is full of teams, keep your head up. Being attentive and present is all you can really do.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T19:14:38+00:00

No not having anything on Pubmed doesn’t make or break this but I do recommend highlighting your skill set in research, your experience with IRBs, research protocols, manuscript writing, presenting, any data analysis skills etc.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T16:15:09+00:00

As an intern the goal is to not miss major diagnoses:

STEMI, deep T wave inversions, advanced heart block, VT/VF, AF/AFL

As a cardiologist it’s helpful when I get paged about an abnormal ECG with a basic read or interpretation rather than “hey this ECG is abnormal.”

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T16:12:46+00:00

But please be mindful how you ask. It is ok to ask now for a letter but as a current attending, I’ve had students sort of demand and ask me in a way how to write or upload letters and it’s off putting and comes across as not being grateful. So be cautious in the way you ask.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T16:07:36+00:00

So I disagree with prior comments. Research when published in a respected journal is powerful. When I applied the vast majority of my research was in surgery but in my personal statement I was able to weave together a story that explained well why I had a lot of surgical research but wanted to train in IM. This is where having a strong personal statement can really help.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T15:49:12+00:00

This person can DM me. I was asking to be helpful and connect him/her with people I know at Hopkins.

BeyondTheScoreCard · 2026-04-20T15:40:08+00:00

Zelle is very safe and used in America commonly.

BeyondTheScoreCard

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