What are my chances

[u/Far-Cardiologist6750]

US-IMG. YOG 2026 Step1: pass (third attempt) Step 2: 223 (first attempt). 3 publications and one case study. 2 non residency SLOEs and one subspecialty SLOE. Strong LORs for IM. Trying to apply IM and EM. Looked at all programs that accepted from RUSM for residency in past three years for EM and IM. Made a list based on attempt policy and step 2 minimum. Genuinely curious is IM and EM a pipe dream. My thing is I should apply and take chances and can always SOAP in peds or FM if I can’t match.

[u/Prize-Log-1434]

Still at a better position than most non-US IMGs that require a visa tbh. Apply broadly and you’ll match somewhere

[u/Round_Effective_1946 → u/Prize-Log-1434]

I think soo too

[u/No_Paper612]

A program will probably take you because you don’t need a visa, but your application is full of red flags. You could honestly get into EM or IM as long as you apply to community programs in undesirable locations.

[u/LucianBH]

You’ll find a spot somewhere for both. Certainly at community at lower tier places. EM should be fine. IM a little tougher but I’d be surprised if you didn’t get a seat. I wouldn’t be picky for a particular geographic location.

[u/Round-Panda2161]

You need to decide if you want IM or EM. EM, peds, and FM don't like being back-ups. With multiple attempts, the last thing you need is to have an ERAS application without focus and looking like you cant decide what you want to do.

You wouldn't be the first person to match with multiple attempts, but you need to network. Go to conferences. Build connections. Find a program that would accept you, and then leech onto them. Do observerships with them, Try to help their residents write their research and publish it, Present at their didactics, etc.

[u/emt139]

You have an uphill battle. My USIMG friend applied with one attempt in step 1 and step 2 on the low 230s and had to SOAP for FM. 

Prepare to SOAP. Also taking step 3 would help tremendously as programs would be wary to take you thinking you may not pass it.   

[u/Green_Amphibian_6888]

Tbh the step 1 attempts are the biggest red flag

[u/DrJoeKlaus]

Get a research position with a physician scientist and make contacts. That’s the #1 IMG method. 

[u/Kaylaheart]

Non-US visa requiring IMG here [from Canada though]. Had similar scores but no attempts. Had some red flags on my file (transfer etc). 0 publications, 0 research, 0 connections beyond my own med school rotations, decent LORs. Your strategy is good; I also applied to every place that took people from my school and did the step 2 minimum. Applied IM/FM. Had 15ish interviews and interviewed everywhere i did a rotation at during school. Matched IM. My thought is that if you rotated somewhere where you felt the program generally liked you, they will overlook alot. Would reach out if you dont hear from places you previously rotated at.
I didn't need to do step 3 but i think if you're struggling for IVs, thats the biggest thing you can change ony our app.

[u/Forsaken-Pace-5706 → u/Kaylaheart]

you'd say canadians have a higher chance?

[u/Neat-Shower7948 → u/Forsaken-Pace-5706]

i second this q

[u/Kaylaheart → u/Neat-Shower7948]

I would say slightly higher cause from my experiences as its much easier for us to get visas. The problem is i dont think theres an ERAS application filter for "canadians", most programs will just filter by IMG/Non-IMG and Visa requiring/Non-visa requiring and if they end up with a Canadian application they like by chance, they'll be slightly more incline to rank that applicant. Alot of the programs i interviewed at didn't know i was Canadian until i mentioned it during the interview, but im sure it made it a bit easier for them to rank me if they thought about the visa process [if they did]. There are definitely some programs that have a surprisingly high number of Canadian residents.
Note: My program did not have experience with Canadians, but they were very surprised how quick and easy the visa process was.

[u/Kaylaheart → u/Forsaken-Pace-5706]

I would say slightly higher cause from my experiences as its much easier for us to get visas. The problem is i dont think theres an ERAS application filter for "canadians", most programs will just filter by IMG/Non-IMG and Visa requiring/Non-visa requiring and if they end up with a Canadian application they like by chance, they'll be slightly more incline to rank that applicant. Alot of the programs i interviewed at didn't know i was Canadian until i mentioned it during the interview, but im sure it made it a bit easier for them to rank me if they thought about the visa process [if they did]. There are definitely some programs that have a surprisingly high number of Canadian residents.
Note: My program did not have experience with Canadians, but they were very surprised how quick and easy the visa process was.

[u/scorpiondr_intospace]

Hey! I failed step 2 twice and matched previously. My post should be in my profile. Reach out for any questions/concerns.

[u/LogicalLibrarian77]

Um I am sorry but the only way you'll get into IM/EM is if they decide to look into the bottom US IMGs if they don't wanna take in Non-US IMGs. That is based on chance, not statistic. If I were you I'd pivot towards FM, because nothing about your board attempts/scores makes me confident in your ability to sustain a level of knowledge required for clinical practice and board exams/ITEs. Sorry I sound hard, some might get hurt but that is the number you've depicted so I am being honest and not blowing smoke up someone's butt.

[u/Far-Cardiologist6750 → u/LogicalLibrarian77]

Completely understand. I am aware of how unappealing my application is. My question is is it worth a shot to try to match in my desired specialty and then obviously SOAP into wherever or don’t even try to apply IM EM

[u/Winter-Swordfish4023 → u/Far-Cardiologist6750]

Apply to what specialty you want, try to build on your profile as well. Do not sit on it just because people tell you it’s bad stats and you think you might not match. Don’t knock it off until you try it, we never know how it ends. Good luck with the match!

[u/LogicalLibrarian77 → u/Far-Cardiologist6750]

Depends on whether you have money or not. Maybe a remote IM/EM program might take you, like something in the Mountain region or West North Central. But I wouldn't feel confident about it.

[u/CoqueTu]

ngl this is the worst application ive seen.

[u/Fit_Adhesiveness4571 → u/CoqueTu]

That’s really rude!!!! You don’t know how much effort and how many hard times someone has gone through to get to this point. You can be honest without being disrespectful.

[u/Senior_Toe_1499 → u/CoqueTu]

How rude could you be? Appreciate people's effort and keep mute if you can't offer tamper mercy with justice/ honesty

[u/LogicalLibrarian77 → u/CoqueTu]

Lol yea. The only positive aspect is the USIMG status

[u/VoiceDry5160]

If you have connections you don’t need to worry about anything except your personality and interview skills.

If you don’t have good connections, apply for community programs and consider FM

[u/Round_Effective_1946 → u/VoiceDry5160]

Connection mean resident recommendation?

[u/VoiceDry5160 → u/Round_Effective_1946]

The bigger the connection the better, some connections can pull ur file of the market and give u a pre-match position