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Here I describe the process by which candidates are going to be filtered by the match programs
Filter One (American Grads Vz IMGs): Certainly AMG are preferred. In fact many programs tend to stay away from IMGs. Note that this filter is not about nationality or ethnicity, so e.g. if you are American and graduated from a medical school outside of US or Canada you still count as an IMG.
Filter Two (USMLE scores): Can't be stressed enough. This is the most important "modifiable factor" for all of us. The higher score the more likely we'll be matched. Certain programs even has a score threshold e.g not accepting scores below 85.
Filter Three (Visa requirement): Undoubtedly, those with no need for visa are preferred i.e. US citizens and green card holders. Some programs do not provide visa sponsorship.
Filter Four (USCE): having done externship, observership, or any other kind of US clinical experience is your fourth filter.
Filter Five (Age): Although most programs say we don't discriminate by age but in reality they do. The fresher the graduate the more likely he or she accepted. Some think that there's a threshold here, which is 5 years after graduation but I don't think so. I know many many who's got high profile matches 10 and 15 years after gradaution.
Filter Six (Your CV): Hate to say that this is the last filter but still it's a filter. So your research, medical degrees, and prior clinical experience are also factors that play role only when you pass the previous five filter.
These filters work in sequence, so e.g if you are an IMG, no matter how high is your score you application will be likely be tossed away if you are being compared to an AMG.
Am going to put a poll with this thread let's see what you think about these filters
Filter One (American Grads Vz IMGs): Certainly AMG are preferred. In fact many programs tend to stay away from IMGs. Note that this filter is not about nationality or ethnicity, so e.g. if you are American and graduated from a medical school outside of US or Canada you still count as an IMG.
Filter Two (USMLE scores): Can't be stressed enough. This is the most important "modifiable factor" for all of us. The higher score the more likely we'll be matched. Certain programs even has a score threshold e.g not accepting scores below 85.
Filter Three (Visa requirement): Undoubtedly, those with no need for visa are preferred i.e. US citizens and green card holders. Some programs do not provide visa sponsorship.
Filter Four (USCE): having done externship, observership, or any other kind of US clinical experience is your fourth filter.
Filter Five (Age): Although most programs say we don't discriminate by age but in reality they do. The fresher the graduate the more likely he or she accepted. Some think that there's a threshold here, which is 5 years after graduation but I don't think so. I know many many who's got high profile matches 10 and 15 years after gradaution.
Filter Six (Your CV): Hate to say that this is the last filter but still it's a filter. So your research, medical degrees, and prior clinical experience are also factors that play role only when you pass the previous five filter.
These filters work in sequence, so e.g if you are an IMG, no matter how high is your score you application will be likely be tossed away if you are being compared to an AMG.
Am going to put a poll with this thread let's see what you think about these filters