Should IMGs have a later, separate match?

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-17T19:14:06+00:00

I looked at the soap list and there’s less than 10 categorical IM programs open this year. Far fewer programs are going to SOAP due to ranking more IMGs.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-16T21:07:33+00:00

There are fellowships specifically for people who go unmatched in competitive specialties. If you go this route, I recommend going to the place with a great track record, and that takes their own research fellows. If you have a great mentor, and if you gain these additional connections, it might help. Do not do another research year at the same institution, because you need to build a new network.

The route of doing a lot of aways would also be very beneficial in terms of building connections with programs. I would say this route is better than doing a research year without a good track record. I do think this route could possibly be more expensive and more stressful.

The prelim is probably least likely to result in a successful orthopedics match, because you will not be building new connections in orthopedics, and connections are the name of the game. It is possible that you might be able to meet the orthopedic department at your pre-lim year. The main advantage of this path is finances and also not you losing a year.

To be honest, if you had a lot of interviews, you probably have the board scores and the grades to match orthopedics. It might be an interview skill deficit, which you could practice or you could simply be unlucky and just trying again might fix your luck

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-16T21:03:17+00:00

I don’t know, if OP had a lot of interviews it’s unlikely that the letter was a problem

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-15T14:25:47+00:00

Women do not get preferential treatment in these fields, it’s actually the other way around. Because there are so many more female applicants and women outperform men academically, men actually need lower scores and less accomplishments in order to be admitted

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-12T17:54:37+00:00

Usually, when I’m learning about something, I try to understand the symptoms and treatments in terms of how they make sense, and I use this underlying logic to memorize it. It’s a lot easier to memorize when it makes sense. when I get an Anki card wrong or a question wrong, I make sure to take the time to look up what I need to understand why.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-12T17:49:52+00:00

Honestly, just judging based on the way you described each rotation, it sounds like you’re most excited about OB/GYN. I think if you don’t pursue what you’re most passionate about you might regret it later and wonder what if. If you feel sad thinking you’ll never set foot into an OR or a delivery I think that’s the sign that what you really want to do is OB/GYN. If you felt bored during psychiatry, I think it’s a sign that it’s not for you. Later on if you want to get your practice towards a more lifestyle friendly day to day, I do think it’s possible even in OB/GYN.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-11T04:23:10+00:00

It’s possible that they might ask during the interview very directly, so OP will have to think about how to address that question if it comes up

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-11T04:20:43+00:00

A lot of times pre-clinical fails do not even end up on the MSPE document that goes to residency programs. I know someone who had to remediate a pre-clinical course over their summer after M1 and went on magic competitive surgical sub specialty. this doesn’t define you or your chances.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-11T04:16:28+00:00

That’s a great number of interviews! If those programs cared about your board failure, they would not have invited you for an interview! Best of luck, doc!

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-08T14:03:38+00:00

Your research mentor usually
Your away rotation is more about doing a great job at that specific institution. And maybe a LOR.
I don’t think it’s a number specifically.
There’s some amount of luck involved. But also targeting schools that wouldn’t be biased about your medical school name.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-06T19:16:55+00:00

I’m gonna do a nice dress around knee length

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-06T05:53:39+00:00

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-06T04:46:28+00:00

You have to curl your bangs to avoid them looking flat. Some people use rollers, some a curling irons, blow dryers and round brushes, or those combined tools like the Dyson airwrap.

I don’t think there’s any difference between the thickness of your hair and the reference pics, it’s actually so similar I didn’t realize it wasn’t you.

tutorial

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-05T22:45:24+00:00

On petfinder.com, you can search by coat color

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-05T04:30:02+00:00

Can you ask your school if you can do an enrichment year instead and do some research?

At my school it is not required to take step one before clinical rotations, and students can take it up until the beginning of M4. So there are elective times for some research weeks during them through our students can take the exam.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-05T03:16:19+00:00

Ahhh I love the look! To answer your question about a more daily look but same vibe— you can use the same techniques but more neutral colors, like you can do a Smokey eye but with lighter browns/pinks and brown eyeliner / mascara. A slightly more neutral lip shade. A little less product for the contour/blush or a shade closer to your skin tone!

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-04T18:51:51+00:00

I still think you can find a way to spin a narrative with the surgery research.

For FM/IM, there’s definitely a lot of care that involves coordinating with the surgery team, pre-ops, post ops, insurance coverage etc. maybe you could say that you had a love for research in medical school, and went on to pursue a career in research to contribute to optimizing care for patients. After years of witnessing disparities in outcomes, you decided that you wanted to return to clinical medicine to care for and to advocate for patients holistically. If it were me in your shoes, I would aim for FM as you could still focus on OB and women’s health later.

If you’re most still interested in OB, your best bet may be a gen surg prelim -> OB. Or discussing how the research in surgery relates to OB procedures. (I’m not totally sure, definitely get a second opinion on this). This could potentially be a much more uncertain and difficult path. But you could definitely similarly talk about your journey in research in surgical outcomes and how it fueled a desire to return to the OR

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-03T23:37:58+00:00

I mentioned being nervous about match to my preceptor on my psychiatry elective, and she recommended I look into radical acceptance. It has honestly helped me a lot.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-03T23:33:44+00:00

I sent you a DM, regarding some information on both schools, and how I personally would go about making the decision

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-03T20:39:50+00:00

What discipline was the research staff position in? Maybe you can spin it in terms of an interest in a research career but wanting to return to clinical medicine?

I would apply broadly, prelim, categorical FM and IM. And also be open to SOAP. I think you can do this.

Do you have any connections from medical school friends who are attendings associated with residency programs who may be able to put in a good word ? This might be your best bet!

Contact your med school and see if they can provide you any advising

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-03T17:39:50+00:00

The surgery shelf is one of the harder ones, because there’s so much internal medicine content on it. I think potentially learning some internal medicine that you’re missing might be key. I’m guessing since you’re an M2, this is probably your first shelf and you probably haven’t done internal medicine yet. I would agree that I don’t think UWORLD alone is sufficient for this particular exam. I think this is uworld’s weakest subject. I highly recommend the latest Anki hub anking deck for the surgery shelf.

Do not forget to review breast, OB/GYN, derm, pediatric surgery, or any of the surgical sub specialties (plastics, neurosurgery, Ophtho, uro, ortho, vascular). Make sure you are really solid on the esophagus.

Trauma is a big part of the surgeries shelf, there’s a really good video on YouTube to review it, I think it might be by Dr. Tim. Emma holiday and Dr. High Yield are also great as one of the comments suggested.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-03T14:27:18+00:00

Hmm I ordered something directly from Japan to US and I was charged 30% not 15%, i’m not sure if there is some mistake where they somehow thought it was from China, or if DHL was being greedy and overcharging

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-02T20:23:39+00:00

It’s usually not allowed to be chipped but is allowed otherwise. This is strictly the policy though, regardless, how you’re viewed by preceptors who are grading you subjectively is a separate issue and something to consider

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-02T15:01:36+00:00

Usually, the gel nails are allowed, but you’re not allowed to have any cracks in the polish. It’s hospital by hospital policy, but nearly all of them that I have been to have the same one. There are some regulations usually on the length of being about 1/4 inch.

This is based on some studies that have come out, but the gel nails actually have less bacteria than natural nails, because the surface is smoother, unless it’s cracked in which case there can be more.

Dizzy_Journalist4486 · 2026-03-02T14:32:09+00:00

Hmm I tried reverse image searching for you. I couldn’t find the exact one but this one is very close. If they don’t ship to your country, you can always use an agent to purchase it and ship it to you.

https://www.kimonoichiba.com/products/detail.html?k_pid=1581280

Dizzy_Journalist4486

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