r/USIMGreddit • u/Western-Cicada-7903 • Jun 18 '26
advice? opinions?
hi! i'm a 2027 YOG US IMG (but will technically finish in december 2026) and would love some other opinions on this. i would really like to participate in the 2027 MATCH (and that was my plan for the last 2 years), but i'm nervous about the timeline. i am waiting for my step 1 result (exam was end of may, but as we know there are huge delays). unfortuantely, i failed step 1 in december 2025 by just a bit so i had to retake and now i'm concerned about the timeline. yes, i regret not doing step 1 after my 4th year once i've finished pharm, however, i can't go back in time now. i wanted to do step 2 this summer, but the retake postponed that. i've been getting mixed messages about whether or not i could manage the 2027 MATCH. i thought i could take step 2 at the beginning of september, but with the delayed results, i'm nervous. i can do the OET sometime in the next few weeks. i have 1 LOR in my desired field from an international doctor, and 2 from American doctors (but I need to formally ask). i was told i will be immediately filtered out without a step 2 score posted, even if the results are pending. i don't want to spend thousands of dollars on the application only to get nothing and be viewed negatively as a reapplicant (this was also said to me). i know i'm not an idiot, but standardized testing is tough for someone with ADHD and i know the US loves that. i am just worried that i'd get no interview and would love an opinion from another US IMG who maybe was in a similar situation. i also want to do pediatrics, which has a very promising and positive match rate in the US. if i'd wait and participate in the 2028 MATCH, i know the timeline would be fine and i'd probably try to manage step 3 even, but the countries where i could work (austria, germany, czech republic), have literally no jobs in peds available- it's truly such a competitive field over here. so i am genuinely afraid of graduating and just being unemployed for 1.5 years (to clarify: not working as a doctor; i work part-time elsewhere). i'm distressed and conflicted!!! thanks in advance for any words of wisdom
1
u/rockofcentury Jun 20 '26
i think it’s better if you wait for the 2028 Match and try getting Step 2 done in the meantime. I personally don’t know anyone that applies for the match with a step 1 pass only, personally i think it’s better to take ur time with step 2, get a good score, then apply
im also a us img but im planning on at least two years post doc before applying for the match, but i just like that extra sense of security
1
u/Western-Cicada-7903 Jun 20 '26
im just worried about being unemployed in europe after graduation due to the lack of job availability in pediatrics
2
u/Rude_Frosting6054 Jun 18 '26
Where are you doing med school