r/ResidencyMatch2025

Hi guys. I am a 2026 grad non-US IMG with an overall good profile. I want to match into Duke, let me know if you think it is possible.

1. Step 1: Pass

2. Step 2: 26x

3. Step 3: About to take

4. Research: 6 meta-analyses published, 1-2 cross-sectionals, and CDC underway

5. USCEs: -3-month observerships at the University of Maryland, 1 month OPD hands-on cardiology clinic, 2 months rotation at Duke University Hospital, trying to find a third rotation there.

6. Significant teaching experience for Step 1 and Step 2 over the past two years.

7. A significant amount of community work, leadership programs, and other stuff I have done over the past few years.

I know two senior residents and one attending who can advocate for me to give my application a push, but I am still unsure if that would change my chances at all. Please let me know what you think, and if anyone has any particular opinions in terms of this. Thanks.

I am NON US IMG , YOG 2022 , Publication 2
Step 2 -229 , Step 3 204

Unmatched this Year
Program applied :
IM :60
FM :30
Paeds 10

Interview:
1- IM
1- Paeds

My concern is that should I continue to struggle with IM or should leave IM and focus on other specialities with lower scores (FM, Paeds) etc

I received a score of 241 on Step 2, and I’m feeling quite discouraged and uncertain about my next steps. I was hoping for a higher score, and right now it’s making me question my chances.

I have already passed Step 1, I’m a recent graduate, and I have more than 10 publications. I’m considering applying to Internal Medicine, but I’m not sure if my score is competitive enough.

I would really appreciate some honest guidance on whether this is a reasonable path forward and how I can strengthen my application. At the moment, I’m feeling quite lost and would value any advice.

It’s been 3 months I have been searching for J1 waiver hospitalist position and have searched in all platforms which includes practice link , practice match , doc cafe , 3R Net , apogee, direct email to hospitals . I am mainly looking for Day time position with closed ICU . No location preference for year 2027 .

Hi everyone,
I’m currently doing Research in the US (on j1 visa) and am preparing for the upcoming residency match cycle. Due to my specific situation, I can only get H-1B visas.
I’m a bit overwhelmed by my toxic PI, and frustrated about the recent $100k H-1B fee policy.

My understanding is that since I am already physically in the US and would be applying for a Change of Status (COS), I should be exempt from this fee. However, I’m worried if programs will still filter me out simply because they see "H-1B" and get scared of the potential financial burden/legal uncertainty.
Has anyone in a similar "in-country" researcher position successfully matched or received feedback from PDs regarding this fee?

To be honest, the pressure is mounting because my current lab environment is becoming quite toxic, and my PI is making it very difficult to stay for my mental health. I cry every week. I’m trying to survive this research position until I match, sometime I want to get out from here before residency but the visa uncertainty is making everything harder.

A few specific questions:

1. Are you seeing programs explicitly avoiding H-1B applicants this year due to the new policy, even for those already in the US?
2. Do you expect the policy/law will be excused for doctors who are going to come this year?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

I’m a 4th-year IMG applying in the upcoming 2027 cycle, and I just found out something that honestly surprised me.

My school does not include 4th-year clinical electives (including U.S. rotations) in either the MSPE or the official transcript. That means that despite doing multiple U.S. rotations at strong academic institutions and receiving very strong evaluations, there’s no formal, centralized documentation of where I rotated or how I performed.

Therefore, As far as I understand, the only places this experience might show up are:
- Letters of recommendation
- My ERAS experiences section
- Maybe something I mention in my personal statement

I put a lot of effort into performing well at these institutions and even had extra weeks of rotation with the understanding that USCE is important for matching and and thus with the assumption that it would be formally reflected somewhere in my application, not only in my LOR.

How much do program directors actually value U.S. clinical experience if it’s not explicitly documented in MSPE/transcripts? Or are LOR essentially the only vehicle through which that experience “counts”?

Appreciates any and all insight/advice/perspective anyone has to offer. Hoping one of you has the Hail Mary insight that makes me feel less silly for having busted my butt for something that basically won’t show up anywhere in my application.

I am taking step 3 soon in 3 weeks.

My uworld score 56%
Nbme 7 I had around 70 wrong
CCcases around 70%

Am I still going to make it!
?

Any recommendations what to focus on in this 3 weeks.

Postpone is not an option since I have to move soon to another state