Combating Challenges Of Being an Older Graduate

USMLE- the exam that has a sea of aspirants earnestly wishing to get through, offers a diverse experience for every applicant. Although there is no legally defined upper age limit to apply for USMLE, it is still one of the leading factors that narrows down an applicant’s matching chances and sharply segregates the profiles that come in. 
If you’ve been researching enough about the entrance, there should be a minimal chance of not having stumbled upon the term “YOG”. 
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Year of Graduation, colloquially referred to as, ‘YOG’, determines the time past one's graduating year. Candidates with a gap of 5 years or more are grouped under the category of older candidates.  As this gap widens, so do the applicant’s apprehension. 
We, at Sarthi, are continuously striving to make USMLE possible for everyone, regardless of the features a profile might present with. Here are testimonials from two of our older graduates whose incredible match experience will tighten your grip upon determination.
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Somu Chatterjee, a 2000 Graduate


Somu Chatterjee graduated more than two decades back, in 2000 and meritoriously matched into the US residency only recently! Studying his unique profile would offer a bunch of take-aways to the older IMGs questioning their freshness for the matching process. 
Moving away from one’s home country, starting a new career in a new environment is challenging for older IMGs and this steep change pronounces the obstacles in matching for them.

The thing about Somu’s profile is that he had always been into jobs that were related to his speciality. Although away from his graduation year, he has always been close to his speciality.  He worked in India before moving to the US, where he pursued MBA and was recruited by international firms.

Currently teaching in a university it is noteworthy that he had also worked in community and public health in the US for 4 years prior to being a teacher.

The bad thing about having an older YOG is that it is naturally presumed that you’re outdated. Thus it is essential to have elements in your profile that show you are not and confirms your proximity with the field through the years. This forms the major barrier older IMGs face: an easy profile cast-aside by interviewers until they know the person in consideration.

Dodging this prevalent assumption needs strategic planning that should span at least a year to shape your profile into a device that vehemently speaks for you.

Chatterjee’s major chunk of rotations and interviews came either because people had known him in person, or were appreciative of his profile.

To ensure that this shaping proceeds in the right, effective order, Sarthi provided Chatterjee with the exact guidance fit for him.

Even when he had this apparently huge black spot of being out of practice for 12 years and a two decade old graduation, Chatterjee matched!

With no prior residency, low scores and multiple attempts, he feels with conviction that it was interaction with associates and the Sarthi team, belonging in a larger group of similar people that actually helped him in getting matched.

Elsa, a 1997 graduate.

This testimonial of Elsa is firmly defying age. Your confidence in the ‘age is just a number’ proverb is expected to see a renewal by the end of this account.

Elsa, aged 52, is a 1997 graduate. Her challenges intersect with those of Mr. Chatterjee’s, except with an additional hurdle, language.

She, too, felt that an application with an older YOG struggles to get chosen at first.
Elsa had moved to the US only 5 years ago and didn't speak English. Grasping and learning abilities reduce in power and ease with time, Elsa was facing dual-challenges at once. Learning a language and simultaneously preparing for steps, aged 52.

She says Sarthi was the place that customised a plan for her and showed up everytime she needed mentorship. 

For a 52-year old lady doing that is definitely not a piece of cake. There also exist interpersonal challenges one faces that are not listed on how-to blogs. 

Yet, Elsa made it through! She matched for residency!
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If they can, so can you!

​Age is definitely just a number

If you’re deferring from taking the test because of such apprehensions, reach out to us and break through!

Email us at [email protected]

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