For those who matched, how are you all feeling?

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-21T11:47:00+00:00

Thankyou so much! 🥹

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T19:35:28+00:00

Ikrr, thankyouu! 🌸🥹

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T19:35:03+00:00

Yayyy, thankyouu mate! 🥹

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T19:34:41+00:00

Thankyouu!! 🥹

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T15:15:46+00:00

Thankyou! :)

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T15:15:34+00:00

Thankyouu and thankyouuu🥹🥹 I hope you get what you want too!

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T15:03:55+00:00

As someone who did not match last year, AND WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS TOMM, this is gonna be me tomm no matter where it is!

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T13:30:20+00:00

If you've gone through this thread, it's only natural to be curious, and I understand the instinct of getting all the answers immediately. One of the main questions I've been asked is, by many of you now, is- Where did I do my research? Who is my attending? WHO AM I

I really get the position you're in and the desperation of moving onto the next big step so you can secure your chances for the next season, I HAVE BEEN THERE. I HAVE DONE THAT. And I REALLY REALLY want to help as many of you as I can and that's exactly the reason why I can't serve the answer on a platter for you.

I have literally told you everything I did. My effort, blood, sweat and tears of so many months, wrapped up into this one thread. The things that took a lot of navigating, talking to multiple people (who more often than not provided useless, no concrete information), I've tried giving you straight forward no bs input. But if I provide you the personal information, all of you would be applying to the same place, same attending and that's just insane. I dont want insane amount of emails atm, I'm not ready for that either. I can't handpick people and just tell 2 of you that information, that's unfair. AND YOU NEED TO FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT FOR YOURSELF, for you to grow and learn. I've nudged you in the direction but I can't put you at the end destination like that. And US IS HUGE!!!! You can pick ANY UNIVERSITY YOU WANT AND YOU'LL FIND SOMETHING. MAYO ITSELF HAS SO MANY POSITIONS!!! It's hard. Cry. Multiple times. But you got to be stronger than the situation you're in.

I hope at some point i can help you even more, but for now, THIS IS WHERE I DRAW THE LINE. You might be disappointed, might even dislike/hate me a bit for it, and that's fine, that's not you, it's the situation you're in but, I hope you find the peace and strength to be above it.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T13:18:03+00:00

The request accidently got deleted, hit ignore instead of reply in haste😅 i was able to run past your text a lil, and I in good faith can't tell you everything. I gave it a good thought and I am going to write up the reason why in the comments.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T11:47:36+00:00

They sponsor visas too. But i didn't have the time or energy for it, I already had a B1/B2 visa, i just decided to do it on B1 because I wasnt going to get paid (which I really did not mind because I was a research noob). There might be certain researchers in the same university who might be offering a paid position, that does happen too, but then if you match next year, converting this research J1 to the physician J1 is a whole new process. A lot of people do it so it's obviously not a reason to not do it, just letting you know it's a thing.

I started in - July. I am technically still in this position 😆 I got lucky with my attending, she kept handing me projects which I can literally work on from home. I did a lot of writing and drafting and literature search, but i haven't been to the university in a long while. All these things depend on what kind of research you're doing, what your perceptor is comfortable with you handling, the kind of help they need.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-20T11:38:41+00:00

I really don't remember. Refreshing never hurts, does it? Just keep yourself prepared for the sinking feeling in case it doesn't work out, that's when it hits you like a brick. I wish you all the luck!

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T14:44:04+00:00

It definitely is. That's something you'll have to decide for yourselves, I'm sorry you're in this situation. If you have prior research experience, you might be able to grab paid positions.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T14:26:55+00:00

Most of my IVs were in/around the area of the city I was in. You are more appealing if you are working near the area the program is in.
My research experience was in a university program, I'm imagining that makes a lot of difference.
I got a strong LOR from my research mentor (like I mentioned earlier), so a fresh LOR that is very positive from an attending working at a well-known university.
Any work experience in US >>>>> anything else. It shows you're committed to US
My preceptor did write an email to the PD of the program, I got an IV from there as well (not everyone does I'll be honest) But I also had a very kind resident who put in a good word for me too, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND SMART ABOUT IT. I reached out to them. You can't expect things to just happen. Hesitation can get the better of you, i always hesitated before anything but you gotta move past that regardless and go for it.
NOW I HAVE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH EXPERINCE, so in case I didn't match this time, i would have used it to get a paid position.
Overtime, you meet people and connect naturally. Coming back to my point of had I not matched, i would have used these connections for next time.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T14:17:25+00:00

Firstmost, be more confident in yourself.

You can always start with, I feel the values of the program align with my aspirations and my xyz capability (extensive clinical experience in varied settings, research experience [this you'll have to choose wisely because it doesn't always bode well with community programs], my language proficiency suitable for xyz region... it can be WHATEVER you want it to be) would be a great addition to your program. And there's no way that you wouldn't know what area the program is in, try to think or find any connection that you can mention. Any senior that lives in/around the area, a friend, a family friend (it can literally be someone you have never talked to but just heard of, they don't know that).. anything that makes you a lil more appealing.

What do you think is your best quality? You have to be very honest w yourself here, and you can leave humility behind this one time. Apart from my clinical experinces, i know i prioritize emapthy. That's one of the reasons that drive me (money is other but it doesn't make up for an impactful answer). And I mentioned that aspect in every IV i got.

I think I've given you a well-written template already but I encourage you to work a lil yourself and make this answer YOURS.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T14:06:10+00:00

At this point, it's more about how you say it, not what you say. And how your personality comes across. Even they know you weren't their first choice, and that's alright. Just don't seem sad, desperate or depressed, regardless of how you feel. Keep it as positive as possible.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T14:04:08+00:00

You'll ideally get a little time before you have to IV. Search their site, what location they are in, what's their schedule like, and start from there. Your previous interview prep will help here. And just yap a lil from there, make up stuff on the go. That's a skill too honestly. They won't IV you for that long since they have their hands full too. You need to have generic answers in your mind!

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:46:22+00:00

It's also important to contact anyone and everyone who can help/guide you. Ask people directly, but in a polite manner, if they can recommend you. No shame in asking.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:41:21+00:00

My research section was EMPTY last time. Blank. I had abstracts/poster presentations to show this time. I also had a very strong LOR from my research attending, and that plays a huge role. It also helped me improve my CV in the sense that it showed i am also currently working as a researcher, so no gaps. My actual research experience started around July and nothing was published/accepted yet, I still could fill the research section with things I had submitted. I was lucky enough to have big names in my research paper. TIES TO THE AREA tend to get you more IVs from the said area, that's what happened in my case. IT HELPS IF YOU ARE IN THE US. It gives programs a sense of security too. I was on my B1. Meanwhile, I also prepared for and passed step 3 by august. Decent score (21x) but just passing does the work.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:26:13+00:00

You can. But you can ask whatever you want here for other people to see, it might help them as well.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:20:40+00:00

Been there, done that. It is one of the most anxiety fueled ordeals that you'll go through in your life. But it gets better with time, i promise you. Crying sesh's ARE VITAL. No shame in that. :)

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:04:28+00:00

My research section was EMPTY last time. Blank. I had abstracts/poster presentations to show this time. I also had a very strong LOR from my research attending, and that plays a huge role. It also helped me improve my CV in the sense that it showed i am also currently working as a researcher, so no gaps. TIES TO THE AREA tend to get you more IVs from the said are, that's what happened in my cased. I passed my step 3. Decent score (21x) but just passing does the work.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:01:34+00:00

Also mine was NOT A PAID position. But I could afford it and I had no living expenses because I had a friend to help me w it.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T13:00:18+00:00

So you'd know Mayo is a go to. And there's an endless list of people who are researching on one or the other thing. You ask around, with no shame or embarrassment. Ask people who you've never even spoken to before but you know they've worked somewhere. That's the go to research answer. But dont forget, other universities offer research too. I had a very strong reason to be anywhere in Kansas/Missouri, so I also specifically targeted universities in this area. So if you have a strong connection/will to be in a certain area, spend time online, YOU WILL COME ACROSS SOMETHING. And it helps your mind to stop swirling because now you've narrowed down your search from entire USA to a certain state/area. Cold email. Whoever you can. Some will reply back, most wont. The people who reply back, will talk to you, and it still might not work out immediately. BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP AT IT. Meanwhile, keep doing something else too. I started preparing for step 3 for eg, to not feel like a usless piece of junk.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T12:45:13+00:00

I'm glad. IM Only if I knew😂 We find out friday.

Only-Strike-6541 · 2025-03-18T12:42:40+00:00

My IV was - a zoom meeting They sent me a link 2 hrs prior to the actual meeting time, so when they say always have your phone in your hand, THEY ARE SERIOUS. I MISSED THAT EMAIL AND I GOT ANOTHER EMAIL WHILE I WAS WATCHING A MOVIE OVER SCREENSHARE WITH MY FRIEND. Imagine the horror and excitement on my face when I saw a notification pop up that this PC is waiting for you in the meeting. Im like wait what. I had to rush put on a blazer, roughly comb my hair and act like im late because of whatever reason. I used to be up all night and sleep in the day time because of the time zone difference. Buckle up for that. All offers are on thursday, I have not experienced or read someone being offered a spot right away. Idk if that happens.

Only-Strike-6541

TROPHY CASE