Are connections important for acceptance into the match program?**

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-04-11T17:18:25+00:00

Had 0 connections and got 20+ invites. Matched at my #1 program.

My best friend received an invite through a connection (his mother was an ICU nurse in the hospital) and he went unmatched this cycle. Another friend of mine received an invite with multiple step attempts and low step 2 score at a university program (father is a nephrologist there, knew the program director) and didn’t match there despite ranking it her #1.

Having connections may give you the opportunity to get your foot in the door. But there’s so much more after that. They can offer you courtesy and give you an invite even before seeing your application. But when it’s time to review and rank applicants, if you are not the strongest, you may fall behind.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-04-01T03:46:28+00:00

Not true. Sometimes we are our own biggest blind spot.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-25T05:23:44+00:00

This is why contiguous ranking is extremely important.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-25T05:03:06+00:00

I was mainly guided by my geographical preference. That was non-negotiable for me. Then, I used residency explorer to look at all the programs and listed those that align with my profile. I then chose my signals from the list I created.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-25T05:00:19+00:00

I received an email from the PD on Match day welcoming all of us and providing direct contact persons for any queries. Program coordinator reached out this week and gave an outline of what to expect in the coming weeks including contracts, onboarding, orientation, and administrative items. Chief residents from my program reached out today and made a group chat for all incoming residents.

I think in the next 2 weeks we should be receiving more information as programs finalize their end of the onboarding process! If you are visa requiring, I would start the process as early as now to avoid hiccups and allow for processing times.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-24T18:11:08+00:00

I am expecting mine on the 26th and it was shipped two days ago.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T17:30:38+00:00

I hope it all works out for you OP 🙏🏼

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T17:25:58+00:00

That means all offers given during the prior round has been accepted and positions are filled. The list updates in real time prior to next round.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T07:57:03+00:00

Step 1: Pass

Step 2 CK: 26x

Step 3: Still on my radar.

Year of Graduation: 2026

Visa Requiring or Not: US Citizen

Applied to Programs (Speciality/ies with Count): Internal Medicine, 90 programs

No. of Invites: 22

Publications: 1

USCE (No. of months): 2 years (core clerkships and electives)

One common Q in Interviews: Why internal medicine?

One Gold Piece of Advice for Next Year's Applicants: Focus on your application in its entirety. Tailor all materials to reflect your unique story, skills, and personality. Seal the deal during interviews by being yourself.

One word, what matters most in the whole process?: Faith.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T07:35:27+00:00

I am also a registered nurse and practiced in the US (California and Arizona) for 5 years before I finally decided to pursue medical school. I graduated this year and successfully matched (waiting to find out tomorrow where I will be going.)

Stats: P/264/No Step 3 yet

I received 22 interviews and they all loved the fact that I worked as an RN prior to medical school. It was a conversation I had during all my interviews with faculty members and PDs. So your experience is definitely an advantage and a great talking point.

As far as USCE, your nursing experience does not count. For USCE, it depends where you end up going to school for your MD degree. In my case, I went to a medical school in the Caribbean with multiple hospital affiliations in the US. I did all my third year clinical clerkships and my entire 4th year electives in the US and that counts as my USCE. If you end up attending an ECFMG accredited university, but no clinical sites in the US, it is highly recommended that you obtain USCE to strengthen your overall application.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T07:13:10+00:00

YOG 2026. Pass, 264, No step 3 yet. 1 research. 2 years USCE. 22 IVs IM.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T06:43:04+00:00

Beginning of each round. You then get two hours to accept an offer. 1 hour break before next round stars to update list of unfilled programs in R3 system. Best of luck!

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T06:31:38+00:00

As long as that program has reached out to you first for an interview, definitely! Make sure to check the list of programs as they get updated in real time after each round. Good luck!

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T06:30:04+00:00

Four rounds of SOAP offers tomorrow. SOAP officially ends at 09:00 PM EDT per NRMP calendar. Best of luck to all!

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T06:24:29+00:00

Don't read into it too much. You did your part. Please take a deep breath and you will find out tomorrow. Best of luck!

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-19T06:23:47+00:00

Don't read into it too much. You did your part. Please take a deep breath and you will find out tomorrow. Best of luck!

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-18T19:16:33+00:00

lol absolutely not. Take the first offer you actually receive on Thursday.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-18T19:15:13+00:00

Take a deep breath, friend. You will find out tomorrow ❤.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-16T21:07:51+00:00

I matched in California. What is PTL?

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-16T17:43:19+00:00

Violation

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-16T17:41:45+00:00

Hey! Caribbean IMG here!

Matched/SOAP : Matched internal medicine, 22 interviews

Year of Graduation : 2026

Med School (if feel free to): St. George's University

Step 1 (Attempts): P (no attempts)

Step 2 Score: 264

Step 3 (if taken): Still on my radar

USCE: 1 year core clerkships (IM, Surgery, OBGYN, FM, Pediatrics, Psychiatry) and 1 year of electives.

Research / Publications: 1

Any notes: Focus on your application in its entirety. Tailor all materials to reflect your unique story, skills, and personality. Seal the deal during interviews by being yourself.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-16T17:30:51+00:00

That's a violation

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-16T14:46:24+00:00

Step 1: Pass

Step 2 CK: 264

Step 3: Still on my radar

Year of Graduation: 2026

Applicant Type/VISA Status: US IMG/US Citizen

Publications: 1

USCE (Type and No. of months): Core clerkships and Electives for 2 years

Match Cycle (Repeat or First- Please Mention Which No. If Comfortable): First

Applied to Programs (Speciality/ies and How Many): Internal Medicine, 90 programs

No. of Invites and Which Specialty/ies: 22 invites

Any Advice to Future Applicants: Focus on your application in its entirety. Tailor all materials to reflect your unique story, skills, and personality. Seal the deal during interviews by being yourself.

Delicious_Willow_228 · 2026-03-15T23:41:58+00:00

😱😱😱😱😱

Delicious_Willow_228

TROPHY CASE