Tips to Match into Psychiatry as an IMG

Written by Cecilia Canale, MD

I just wanted to share my experience in the hopes that it will help other IMG applicants interested in psychiatry.

I graduated from medical school in Florence, Italy, in 2020. I had five publications, one year of research in an eating disorder unit, and one-year of work experience as a medical scribe in the Emergency Department in the United States.

Here’s a list of my match tips:

1. Showcase your passion for psychiatry. Program directors want a future resident that loves psychiatry. To show that interest, it’s important to have a CV tailored towards psychiatry, including rotations and research. In my application, I did have opportunities listed that weren't related to psychiatry. For example, I worked as a medical scribe in the ED, but I did have a large number of psychiatry patients, so highlighted this in my application. 

2. Try to have at least three months USCE in psychiatry. You can obtain these in multiple ways, through emailing attendings, program coordinators, or agencies. Try to get rotations in hospitals that have a residency program so they can get to know you - this might lead to an interview. Try to get a good mix of inpatient and outpatient exposure. 

3. Get four US letters of recommendation from psychiatrists. You can get these through your rotations.

4. Try to have research exposure in psychiatry. If you can, try to get a publication or two. I was able to get some publications during one of my rotations. Show your interest and don’t be afraid to ask to get involved in research. 

5. Try to minimize the gaps in your CV. If you’re an older graduate, try to have the least amount of gaps in your CV.

6. USMLE Scores. If you can take USMLE Step 3 before the start of residency, that might be helpful to include in your application.

7. Try to build connections with attendings and other students during your rotations. This is what networking is! I’m not a "social butterfly", so it was hard for me at first, but it’s an important skill. Just be nice and your genuine self! 

8. Practice for your interview! I prepared for my interview by writing down the most frequent questions asked. I practiced answers to these questions. The important thing here is to avoid sounding rehearsed and unnatural. Practice with other people that are trying to match and with seniors. Take in the feedback after mock interviews and try to improve from it.

   1. Have a good setup for your interview. A good camera and audio go a long way. Try to show a little bit of yourself with your background. For example, my background was a cute little Christmas tree, which was a nice icebreaker with a lot of interviews. 

   2. During interviews, a little anxiety is normal! Try to be calm, and professional, but be genuine in the process. Nobody wants a robot - they’re trying to get to know you! 

9. Have multiple people review your personal statement (PS) and CV. Having someone else read this is extremely important. 

I hope these tips were helpful to any reader here. I’m available to review PS and CV, give suggestions to psychiatry candidates and give mock interviews.