[DrSeddik]

Can any one put a rough time frame or deadlines for the following:
-When to finish steps 1 and 2 to be ready for the match.
-When to apply for the match
-The interviews

I'm intending to read about this but all these stuff are overwhelming and it's good to have a general view before going through details

Thanx in advence

 

[Sabio]

Residency Match Timings

For IMGs, it's better that you are ECFMG certified (passed step1 + CS + CK) before the start of the matching season which is September 1st of every year. However, there are many matched people who finish for example step 1 and CS before September and they mention that they will finish the CK during the matching season. Nevertheless, giving the increasing difficulty of IMG matching it would be better to be fully certified by the time you start applying as this will certainly increase your chances. If ever, then at least finish step 1 and CS because these have more weight than the CK because American students usually start the matching season with these in hands before they do the CK, and you are competing with them and so program directors may have only step1 to differentiate you from the Americans.

The interview season start right after the start of the match season but typically no candidate is called for an interview before November or December. Interviews might be scheduled as late as late January. But pre-match offers are usually given before Christmas.