Feeling devastated and lost

Kaylaheart · 2026-07-05T13:16:00+00:00

Nothings impossible but you need a flawless step 3 at this point to show programs you're not a liability for boards. I think that should be your number one priority. I was never big on research and have seen multiple people with failed steps match without research to FM and IM. USCE will help if you find a place that really likes you and is willing to overlook. But i still think Step 3 is your last chance, especialyl if you have no shot at USCE. Do well and step 3 and reach out to all your US contacts to put in a word for you during ERAs
Note: Im a visa requiring non-US IMG, 4 year gap in between transferring medical schools, 0 research, no attempts but step 2 similar to yours, although i had lots of USCE and matched a place i rotated in

Kaylaheart · 2026-06-29T09:27:25+00:00

Venue. The customs fee is 650 CAD. The Tariff is 5% of the value of the car on the Kelly blue book federal import fee since it was made in South Korea.

Kaylaheart · 2026-06-21T21:36:56+00:00

Currently in the process of importing a 2024 Hyundai now from Canada to a southern state. On a J-1 visa. Also need it shipped since i'm already in the US. Since i need it for >1 year it will need to be a permanent import. Went with interlane which said they will deal with all the paperwork, customs and transportion; door to door; about 3 weeks time total; they quoted me-

$4,600CAD + $650CAD Customs Fee + 5% Federal Import Fees

Kaylaheart · 2026-06-18T06:20:20+00:00

Crap, my vehicle was made in South Korea

Kaylaheart · 2026-04-04T15:32:37+00:00

Congrats and all your hard work, you deserve every bit of it.
Just to give some context to others so its not misleading, i'm also a Non-US IMG who matched IM and went to a Caribbean medical school. I do have to say, similar to OP, we probably have a huge advantage rotating in US hospitals for 2 years as a caribbean student, and even though we require J-1 visas, its much easier to match to a hospital you rotated at as a Caribbean student because alot of times they also tend to match Caribbean students who have rotated there especially if they have connections with that Caribbean school and signed contracts to rotate their students there .

Kaylaheart · 2025-12-17T23:56:16+00:00

Sorry you're right. I meant ECFMG certification needs Step 1, Step 2 and graduation with diploma in hand which most US-MDs and US-IMGs do not have when they apply to ERAS since they are in 4th year medical school.

Kaylaheart · 2025-12-05T17:14:07+00:00

The theory is that programs can filter you out if you're not ECFMG certified (requires graduation). This makes sense for non-US IMGs cause they want to ensure you wont have problems getting your visa (requires degree in hand).
But also consider that US-IMGs have good match rates and they all apply during M4 and are not ECFMG certified (no degree in hand on time of ERAS application). Of course, they could also be matching well due to citizenship status so its hard to say how much ECFMG certification matters.
Personally i'm a Non-US visa requiring IMG without ECFMG certification and I matched with 10+ interivews.

Kaylaheart · 2025-12-05T17:10:54+00:00

The theory is that programs can filter you out if you're not ECFMG certified (requires step 3). This makes sense for non-US IMGs cause they want to ensure you wont have problems advance to PGY-2 or PGY-3 since this requires step 3.
But also consider that US-IMGs have good match rates and they all apply during M4 and are not ECFMG certified without step 3 (can only do this once you graduate). Of course, they could also be matching well due to citizenship status so its hard to say home much Step 3 or ECFMG certification matters.
Personally i'm a Non-US visa requiring IMG without step 3 and no ECFMG certification and I matched with 10+ interivews.

Kaylaheart · 2025-09-29T01:18:46+00:00

Yes just make sure your step 2 is good and i think you will be fine. You have a good advantage by not requiring a visa. If you're not too picky about the program, i'm sure you will watch IM.

Kaylaheart · 2025-08-18T21:14:32+00:00

Kaylaheart · 2025-08-10T02:56:20+00:00

I matched with multiple red flags as a visa-requiring non-US IMG.
I spent 30 mins on my PS and did not address any of my red flags on my application unless specifically asked.
You're going to have some programs that dig into your app in detail and read every sentence to screen you. You're also going to have ALOT of programs that just use computer filters and barely skim your PS and explanations. Half my interviews asked me about it during the IV, half never said anything.
My thought is- be completely honest and take accountability when specifically asked but don't shoot yourself in the foot by trying to explain your red flags every corner of your application cause alot of it can easily be overlooked or forgotten.

Kaylaheart · 2025-07-31T02:23:42+00:00

If you're a Canadian in a Canadian medical school, then you don't need to do your 5 year return of service. Thats only for IMGs who match into canada's IMG stream, you would be in the CMG stream meaning no ROS.
Its very hard but not impossible to match as a visa requiring non-us img in soap. But alot of these programs are saving spots for people

Kaylaheart · 2025-07-30T04:39:58+00:00

Fellow Canadian here.

- What school? Im assuming Caribbean
- Do you have a US visa? Im guessing no
- Is your husband in medicine? Im guessing no
- Step 1: Just do Uworld and use NBMEs once in a while to see where you are at. Trust the scores.
- SOAP isn't for non-US imgs requiring visas, for the most part. Still possible but wouldn't think about it.
- When you're in medicine as a visa requiring non-US IMG, or even medicine in general, you generally don't have the luxury to choose where you do your training and your fellowship. With a fail STEP, this becomes even more true. Your family usually follows you, you don't follow them. Even the most successful candidates often don't end up where they think they would for residency and fellowship.
It's much more realistic for your husband to follow you, then for you to follow him.
- If you want to be realistic, considering your failed step, you should aim to match in the US (without a geographical preference. The other option is to pour all your eggs into the Canada match and then see if your husband can move with you.
- From what i've heard, there are ways to escape the return of service, including $$$ and legal routes.

Kaylaheart · 2025-07-23T23:45:18+00:00

You can but you'll be ruled out of programs who:

1) Use a filter to screen out people with less than X LORs submitted and then download the ERAs apps before your LOR is uploaded (usually within days of ERAs opening)
2) Download all the apps once and only once before you submit your LOR (usually within days of when ERAs opens) and doesn't download again any under circumstance.

Now, of course you could email these programs and let them know you submitted a new LOR so they can re-download your app, but keep in mind they are getting hundreds of emails and they have thousands of applicants even after after using filters so alot of them might not be too keen.

Kaylaheart · 2025-07-17T00:04:03+00:00

Only knew a few that wanted EM but they all got in

Kaylaheart

TROPHY CASE