As you get ready for the Application and Interview preparation, we encourage you to actively research all the coaching providers, including us. We don’t want you to pay us without talking to us. So pick up the phone and call/text/WhatsApp.
Many IMGs unfortunately don’t do enough due diligence and are scammed by companies looking to make quick money playing on the IMGs’ fears, shyness and lack of knowledge of the process or their red flags.
 
You should plan to ask us and others the following questions at the minimum.
 
Transparency 
Start by checking how transparent the company is. Ask questions like “Which physicians do you have on your panel? Who will be guiding me? Where do they work? Are you a physician?” Many companies brand themselves as being run by some doctor “X” or “Y”. Don’t fall for it. Make sure the “Dr. Who” does not take you for a ride.
We at USMLEsarthi take pride in transparency. Unlike some other companies, our panel members’ details are available on the website- their undergraduate college, residency training, fellowship details and where they work.  As you are evaluating us and our competitors, be sure to ask them similar details. Chances are they won’t provide any!
 
Quality 
This is one of the most important factors you should consider. Don’t be fooled by the marketing gimmicks. Ask each company the names of their recent alumni who matched - talk to them, get their feedback & satisfaction. You will get a clear picture of the quality of guidance, the duration of attention, the resources you will be able to access.
 
Price 
We understand the resource constraints that IMGs face - dividing their funds between observerships, externships, living expenses and exam fees. We strive to offer very affordable plans depending on your needs. You should compare the exact features and prices to those of the competition and you will quickly realize how others are exorbitantly overpriced.
 
Accessibility 
You don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a week’s worth of classes. If you are like other IMGs, you want support and guidance regularly up to Match Week. Find out who will be your point person. Do they have only email support? How long do they take to return your call, if at all? Do they answer your questions effectively? Are they “All Talk, No Action”?
 
Our team is always available on email, Facebook, call/text and WhatsApp. We run a closed group on WhatsApp for all our students and are always available to answer your queries. This group is led by our panel members and welcomes all our students in need of help or support.
 
Sense of Community 
This is a long, hard and tiring journey and many students prefer a group to discuss their doubts, questions or ask clarification and simply to make friends for support. Our students had a great time while interviewing together in many programs. Peer groups are important part of our students’ success. Groups are not limited to the classes you will have. Our closed Whatsapp group is a vibrant platform where for the entire journey you will learn from and share ideas with IMGs of different backgrounds- more than 10 countries, recent graduates, those will home country residencies, older graduates, US Citizens and so on. With our family growing, you will meet our alumni when you go to their programs for interviews.
Ask us, as you should ask other companies, if they have anything similar.
 
In conclusion 
Why do you need to take a course for interview preparation? At USMLEsarthi, you will not be simply taught a course. You will be guided through the whole process with us being your sarthi. Interviews are a critical point in your journey to residency. You receive interview invitations based on your scores, academics, clinical experience and the way you present your CV and Personal Statement. But, in order to be ranked NRMP shows evidence that the top most important factors are interview skills, interview skills and interview skills. Did I mention interpersonal skills? Well, that is part of the interview day!
 
At USMLESarthi, you will be given guidance throughout the process by our physicians. You will be given support by our group of peers. Most of your interaction with the physicians will be one on one with the exception of didactics which will be done in groups. We are here to help you ace your interviews and match into residency!