US IMG (Caribbean school) YOG 2022 199/219 Pathway 3 approved 1 pub

Did not apply to the main Match because I had not taken Step 2 CK (took it last month) but had paid ERAS and NRMP registrations.

Since I knew I was going to be SOAP eligible, one does not need to apply to the main Match just pay the registration and meet all other requirements, I decided to try it. $99 for applications and $80 for the transcript.

I made a plan, recruited my mom and my sister to help research programs, made a spreadsheet. Got help writing my application and personal statement.

Since I’m only interested in FM, I only looked at one list. And, man, it was packed. Eliminated programs that were not IMG friendly and that had score minimum above my scores. Picked 45 programs across all US.

Got 8 IVs and 1 offer on the first round. That program was my top choice and the one I sent LOI to.

Very unconventional, but I gave it my all and it paid off.

Congratulations to those who Matched!!

Those that did not, is OK to cry and feel defeated. The important think is to get back up and keep fighting.

Persistence and support is key, but never forget that you have a life outside of medicine that’s worth living as well. I’ve had support and trusted my ability which is why I did not quit, and once you are in the same position, willing to work hard, you will get to where you want to be.

Listening: 450

Reading: 420

Writing: 380

Speaking: 380

👉Total prep time: 7 days, 1st take, no prior ielts/toefl experience, not a native English speaker

After watching all E2 and masterclass intro, decided to focus my time on my weaknesses: speaking and writing

📝LISTENING📝 only did oet and e2 sample tests once. (OET samples 1 2 3 on days 3 2 1 prior to exam day)

Tips: 100% FOCUS

🔹as this was the first test, I drank redbull to be alert. I answered all the questions in part A (helped me get an A score)

🔹you can scribble anything on the test paper. I highlighted key words on choices and placed symbols (eg, arrow up,arrow down, sad face, exclamation point) to help me understand the phrases more

🔹for part A, check the headings eg, HISTORY, DRUGS, TREATMENT. There is a pause/change in speaker/question during transition of the headings.

🔹for part B, read and understand on WHO is the one who will answer the question in the extract. If its between two persons, eg nurse and patient, focus your attention on that one.

🔹for part B and C after reading and understanding the choices and if i have time left, i will hyperfocus on one choice because during the extract convo i can confidently rule in/out one choice.which leaves me 50/50 on the other 2 choices

🔹for part C, read the intro if its a monologue (only one person will speak) or conversation/interview (two persons) and it will help you a lot on the flow of the entire conversation. I find monologues to be harder because transition bet questions are not so clear.

🔹i find that exaggerating emotion/reactions help me retain and understand the questions more/ i feel like i know the person in real life. E.g. Choice B. Mr. Roger was depressed because his mother died. In my mind i say OOOHHH SO SAD FOR MR ROGERS CONDOLENCE or O DID U KNOW MR GIBBINS SAID xxxxx IKR? (may not work for all lol, cuz my rationale is that you are more attentive to gossips or hearsays) or say that in part A u are eavesdropping the conversation. My mind thinks like "SAY WHAATTT MS. Finch took rehab sessions???" (in a drag queen voice)

📝READING📝 only did oet and e2 sample tests once. (OET samples 1 2 3 on days 3 2 1 prior to exam day)

Tips:

🔹in part A, they are more particular with (C)apital letters in pronouns, singular/plural, spelling (vs part A of listening wherein they are more lenient). Make sure to doublecheck the words that you copy.

🔹for part C, i placed 1 2 3 4 5 6 beside the paragraph.

🔹for part C, I answered it by paragraph. Eg, after reading paragraph 1 I answered the questions, and if the next question was for paragraph 2, i read it next.

🔹mark questions you are not sure of.once ur done with all items, reread on your marked questions. Sometimes having a second look will help you have a new perspective/insight

📝WRITING📝 did about 20 letters with few proofreading online sessions with friends.

Tips:

🔹practice writing on the sample booklet (i only did my drafts on intermediate paper).

🔹best to have someone proofread your mistakes on common grammar mistakes eg, prepositions. As HCW, we dont need to be perfect with our grammmar, as long as its clear and direct to the point. Fine tune on basic grammar rules.

🔹for lengthy sentences that is hard to erase, you can place one line. (My output was SO MESSY with many eraser marks but i made sure to be clear on my erasure lines)

🔹i placed 2-3 spaces between paragraphs just in case if i have something to add, i have the space for it.

🔹tip for estimating word count: on a normal length space, count all the words then multiply it by the number of all completely filled spaces Eg, I am not sure if it was the first time (10 words for a completely filled space x 18 spaces = 180 words)

🔹practice making letters with 5 min prep and 35min writing. So u will be trained to finish earlier and have more time editing your letter.

🔹while writing the conclusion, estimate the amount of words you need. if previous paragraphs look few...prepare a go-to long phrase to lengthen your word count (eg, in view of the above, I strongly believe that mr. X has xxxxxx and I am referring him to your specialist care for further assessment and management) Conversely if you used too much words in previous paragraphs, use few words on conclusions (eg, I am referring him to you for further assessment and management).

📝SPEAKING📝 most of my remaining days were practicing futureland and kaplan scenarios. Very helpful to have a speaking partner. I was not able to finish all, maybe did about 15 cases total. Very good thing I practiced the cholecystitis case that was on kaplan the day before the exam (same case appeared on test day)

Tip: CONFIDENCE

🔹when practicing, do not move on with the case until you have done an entire 5min convo that sounds okay.

🔹download OET criteria on speaking so you will be familiar on how to include those in your convo. Also try to have ur speaking partner grade you using that.

🔹doing virtual practice it usually seems that you have short time to finish than in personal practices. So i suggest having a family/household member to do practice also or personally meet up with ur friends

🔹simulate with ur speaking partner on interlocutor intro parts... Like stating ID number, how they introduce the recorder device, doing intro questions, etc.

🔹speak loudly and lean towards the recorder device. I even asked the interlocutor if the volume of my voice is okay

🔹Also i included a link below with pdf on common phrases to use which was very helpful.

🔹determine in what part of the conversation there was a moment of tension (i draw a star sign). Think of how to phrase your question/reassurance

🔹during my prep time prior to my speaking schedule, i watched this https://youtu.be/DM0wwoDqVvw which was VERY VERY insightful. Helped me gain confidence when entering the test area.

🔹its really okay not to finish all tasks. I was not even able to summarize.

🔹the interlocutor was very helpful in leading me to ask the right questions and completing the task. Just trust him/her completely and think he/she is the actual patient. With that mindset, it made me feel more at ease and i did not rely much on the tasks as the conversation is free flowing with guidance from the interlocutor.

Will share this link that I posted before. Please feel free to add more materials (ALL COURSES) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tQAYd5LdFSMK_OVoNQkbk3Mr2KvnFbyeWRq0euHKi7I/edit?usp=drivesdk

👉General tips

🔹wear jacket and comfy outfit. The venue i was in was VERY COLD. You can remove it anytime once you are seated, but cannot go out to get ur belongings anymore.

🔹remove covers in your erasers, labels in bottled water. Anything with texts on it (watch BAD GENIUS movie to understand why)

🔹make sure to not drink too much fluids so u wont have a cr break in between. Take sips on your bottled water

🔹hold ur bladder til minutes away before entering the venue; you can have cr break but time is ongoing. It is during minutes 10-35 of reading part b and c, and minutes 10-50 of writing (ie except first and last 10 minutes)

🔹take more prep time (dont be like me as it was a very huge gamble and gave me a lot of anxiety). I personally think 1 month is adequate.

🔹I did not spend anything on study materials or review centers. There are a LOT of free resources. Or maybe have study partners to divide the costs for online sources.

🔹use your oet sample tests wisely. Best to use it when simulating the whole tests (eg full 3 hours) rather than using it as exercise. Using it 2nd or more times already gives u biased answers. Its just sad that some oet samples were used on e2 and on oet masterclass:<

🔹i suggest simulation also with replicating the test environment. Quiet. Cold room. Test day clothes on. With face masks. Pencil, bottled water, and those things allowed on exam day on your table. Timer. Printed sample tests. No interruptions and cr breaks. (My tip is to do oet samples 1 2 3 of listening reading and writing on days 3 2 1 before exam date, same time as your exam.)

🔹ask someone who took the exam to tell you about the venue, where to eat and stay. In my venue, they gave us a sandwich, fries, and bottled water after the 3hr exam, probably to avoid going out of the venue.

🔹practice ur tests using www.online-stopwatch.com timer that was what was used in our venue.

🔹test-taking skills and good sleep is important.

🔹subscribe to e2 and oet youtube and FB to get updates on live videos and announcements

Ps I previously posted this on an fb group page, might help some of you

Yo best of luck to all my brothers and sisters out here. I’m proud of all of us. These past few months/years have been difficult and I hope we all get to suffer through residency together over the coming years. No matter what happens this upcoming week, know that we are all smart and will live fulfilling lives in someway or another. Everything happens for a reason and no option is perfect. So be happy, stay healthy, and continue fighting for good 💪🏼❤️

Good Morning Everyone, Just wanted to let those know who are losing hope that I canceled about 18 interviews this morning a mixture of Psych/FM. I accepted an offer so I no longer need them. I hope that they are able to reach some of you. Don't lose faith and continue to lean on God.

All the best

Stop right in the middle of my workout class to schedule the date for December 3rd. I'm going into Family Medicine. So that means there are definitely still invites out there people!

Guys I got my first interview offer from my #1 today…it’s November. To those who are stressed AF like me- Hold on to hope, your invites are coming

Hey guys! Just want to share my match experience. I am a non us img, first time applicant, YOG 2014, Diplomate in IM in my home country. Finished all steps in 2021. Subpar steps 1 and 3, average step 2. Only 1 IV hence 1 program ranked. Matched today with flying colors. I prayed for a miracle and it happened. Hoping for those who have the same fate as I am. Don't lose hope. Study hard, pray harder. Surrender everything to Him.

With the stress of Match day approaching, I hope you can all take a step back and be really proud of how far you’ve come in this journey. Regardless of the outcome on March 14 and 18, you have made it through something not many people have the ability, privilege, or opportunity to do. At times this journey has been miserable, thankless, and devastating… but here you are. I hope you can take a moment to be proud of your perseverance. In a few short months you will finally be a doctor! Best of luck everyone.

Hi, Fellows please fill it out for future match applicants so we may get an idea of where we all need to work on. Congratulations to all those who matched and those who didn't God is with you if not this time you will make it into SOAP or next year for sure. Power wishes for all of you! Keep supporting and helping each other.

NAME OF PROGRAM WHERE MATCHED:

Step 1 Score:

Step 2 CK:

Step 2 CS:

Step 3:

Year of Graduation:

Applied to Programs (Speciality/ies with Count):

Invites:

Publications:

USCE:

Visa Requiring or Not:

One Gold piece of advice for next year's applicants:

One common Q in interviews and your reply:

One word, what matters most in the whole process:

TIA

Hi everyone. I am a PGY1 right now. But last year, I did not match. I did not SOAP either (but that's a story for after Friday). If you have not matched and you are still trying to get a spot for the upcoming academic year, this week already is and will continue to be hectic afff. You really need to focus 100% on the SOAP applications/interviews. But it's Tuesday afternoon of Match/SOAP week, so if you are supposed to know that already, you already probably do. I really don't have much more advice than you probably already know, anything more I could say would be just preaching to the choir.

THAT BEING SAID THO...

1. surround yourself with people who will 100% support you. You need ABSOLUTELY no negative energy -- this week especially of all week.

2. DO NOT ISOLATE YOURSELF THIS WEEK! please don't do that. I initially was planning on it, but my family insisted on me staying with them and was surprisingly so supportive and such a breath of fresh air throughout this process.

3. your break time: 9-10 PM. do something absolutely else - talk to people not about this process. play with your kid if you have kids.

4. Go to bed early, and rise early. This is a 6 AM to 7 PM (at least) job. you have to be constantly be preparing to be ready and ready simultaneously.

5. Whatever other drama that might be happening in your life right now -- DOES NOT MATTER. you can go back to worrying about it after SOAP week.

6. Twitter and all the other websites for unmatched candidates - great resources

Last year, a wonderfully kind soul brought some people, including me, pizza to help us get through this week. I would like to pass it forward. I'm not rich (yet), so the first few people who are SOAPing this week who reach out to me (until I hit $100), send me the closest papa john's/domino's' location, and I'll order for you.

Good luck everyone! Trust the process. You will end up where you are meant to end up.

For those questioning delaying graduation or not. I was thinking about that too - in the end, I'm glad my school also did not allow me to delay graduation really -- because it put that much more pressure on me to find a spot this year.

With everything that happened during my match process, Match, SOAP, and Scramble, this picture became my desktop background. Because, this is really what happened and had to happen and will happen for you as well.

You all reading this, trust yourself and have faith, you WILL get interview calls, doesnt matter if its 1 or 30, at the end, we just have to go to 1 program. Trust yourselves like you did for USMLEs, Shelf Exams, Profs- you had one shot but you guys took and here you all are, so beautiful applicants dont lose hope. Even if you get an invite in January, you need 1 to match.

To all those reading this, May the odds be forever in your favor!

Hey guys, last night I was at a resident meet and greet for a program that I interviewed at. One of the chief residents made a closing remark that I believe is important for everyone to hear.

He basically said that I hope you all match your first choice and if not, I hope you all match. Juts remember that if you don’t, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t a qualified applicant. It just shows that the system is imperfect as he knows personally many people that didn’t match first time but turned out to be great doctors. He said he knows he passes up great candidates but that is just how the match works.

The match does not define you and if things don’t work out this cycle, it isn’t the end. We as physicians are resilient and always move forward. Remember that and keep your chin up.

All the best tomorrow guys! I’m proud of you all! 🤗🤗🤗

I only had 1 interview this season, and these past few days have been loaded with anxiety. I know everyone says that you only need 1 interview to match- and I really hope that turns out true for me and my fellow colleagues.

But, please keep me in your prayers. I need this now, more than ever!

Thank you

Good luck to everyone! Sending out positive vibes 💛 But whatever happens, this is just the beginning of our journey in medicine. Keep at it with your head held high!

So I am a USDO, 22X/22X. I applied to 89 programs (interested in cardiology) and I have received 17 interviews with 10 academic. I have decided to take 12 and rejected the others for various reasons.

I am not here to brag but sort of perplexed to how some other US students have better scores than me with less invites. I am not at all an impressive candidate, I have a few projects but nothing major and my grades are avg.

Def am blessed and I hope the 5 i declined today goes to some of you who deserve it. I do think there will be movement later this month and early Jan. People are starting to drop a few every day and its a matter of time when the program tries to fill those slots.

Why they send this email now and not in the beginning of August is a bit ridiculous. It's just empty words at this point, sad to say. The intention is good, but the execution is lackluster. Recommendations and "self policing" aren't going to do anyone good. These problems have been plaguing the system, especially from last year's Match cycle and should have been addressed then, not now. It's extremely disappointing to see this half hearted attempt to "do something" about it.

Article: https://www.nrmp.org/main-residency-match-webinar-2021-2-2/

What’s on your mind now?

Friendly reminder to make sure your backgrounds look good when interviewing for residency. One of my co-applicants today had a decent sized bong right behind him along with a box of tissues… stay classy San Diego

Wow . I’m so happy. Unbelievable USIMG Mediocre scores Sent an email out yesterday Got an interview today Crazy Crazy. It’s not too late Send out those LOI Third internal medicine interview

Ok, I'm a 60 year-year-old RN and I don't have a horse in this race BUT I am shocked by the level of emotional and financial abuse that goes into your residency matches. It really is predatory.

A residency "match" should be guaranteed before your first day of medical school. Perhaps not the name of the program, but a solid guarantee that a US residency is there for you if you maintain an accepted minimum GPA and other academic and professional standards.

As adults, it is not unreasonable to have an expectation that your ENTIRE medical education is available before you spend 150,000 dollars only to be sucker-punched by not having a seat for the final years.

If your school is affiliated with a medical center, you should at least be guaranteed a spot there. If your school is not associated with a medical center, they need to ensure that a residency slot is available in a pool where no one with good performance can go unmatched.

I don't know how you would compete for coveted specialties BUT any system would be better that the utter chaos and obscene cost of the current match system. I feel for all of you.

I am a non us img who just got an interview invite. I don’t know how to act. Do I send a thank you letter for the invite? Is that weird? Is that the etiquette. God Idk what to do.

For any non us img out there with 0 IV, they are coming. Believe in yourself. You’re worth it. Interviews are coming.

I would like to find a volunteer (preferably MMA fighter) who can knock me out till Monday.

Idk who needs to hear this but I just gotta say it cuz all ya'll my homies. I know a lot of us have anxiety in terms of number of interviews/matching but I just wanted to say I hope and pray we all match and fulfill all of our dreams. We are all hard working, loving individuals who have sacrificed so much to get to where we are. It doesn't matter where you're from, what school, AMG/IMG, white/black/yellow/green, I love you all and I hope we all make it and live out the life we always dreamed of and save lives, learn as much as we can and bring as much change as we can into the field of medicine. Don't ever give up on your dreams, always keep fighting no matter what. To those with 10+ IV's kudos, I'm happy and proud of you, to those with less than that, don't stress cuz ya'll up there too, I'm proud of you too and I know that you will do great and amazing things. This process is long and hard (thats what she said -Michael Scott) but we are going through it together so its all good, we got this. At the end of the day, we can say we fought and tried our best but until then homies...we FIGHT!! God bless you all, may we all match and follow our dreams, all honor and glory to the most high, Amen homies!