Sharing My Match Experience as an IMG

Written by Vanessa Dias Veloso, MD

Research

As international medical graduates (IMGs), we are often told that the path to a successful match invariably involves having research experiences in the United States (US), leading to multiple publications on our CVs. During my journey to matching into neurology, I found myself in that position. I wasn’t particularly the type of medical student who was deeply involved with research. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic precluded me from the possibility of pursuing a research fellowship in the US. The idea that this could be a flaw in my application caused me a lot of anxiety and uncertainty at the time. 

However, preparing your application is also a self-knowledge exercise. It was a chance for me to look back on my accomplishments and the activities I had pursued up to that point. I also looked forward to my future career goals. It was encouraging to realize that my true passion, medical education, was something I had worked hard on and was what I pictured myself exploring in the future. I wish I had discovered that earlier. It would have opened the way for me to further explore my true interests. So, I ask you the key questions: is research what you see yourself doing in the future? What are you passionate about?

I am not saying that research experiences are not meaningful. Providing the best care to our patients requires us to be physicians with evidence-based knowledge. Science in medicine is deeply related to patient care. Besides, research experiences connect you with different people, allowing you to learn, collaborate on important projects, and build vital networks. 

The match statistics provided yearly by the NRMP demonstrate that for matching into more competitive specialties, research in the area, as well as publications, can be vital. My point is that not all of us have the same interests. Not every residency applicant has the final goal of being a physician-scientist. Residency program directors know this. 

Diversity and Inclusion

In the last few years, a genuine commitment has been developed to foster diversity and inclusion among residency programs. In general, at least in neurology, the selection committees seek to recruit residents from varied social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Specifically, being IMGs provides us with different perspectives on how medicine is practiced in our home countries. After going through the whole process, from the application to the match, I can see that those different experiences are truly valued.

It is certain that recruiting a diverse group of residents also represents a myriad of future career goals. Aiming to support and generate that diversity, many programs have established opportunities for residents to pursue their specific interests, such as advocacy, leadership, medical education, global health, and others. Some programs offer formal tracks and mentorship for residents to develop those skills. 

Take-Home Points

The take-home points I would like to convey to future applicants are: try to find out early what drives your happiness in medicine. Work hard on that. Develop and be involved in projects related to your passion. Connect with people with similar interests; networking can be crucial for the match. Show them your commitment to your goals and consistency in the process. There are many ways to maximally contribute to other people’s lives. Residency programs know this and want to know who you are in the match journey.