How I overcame adversity and built the survival skills to prematch as a repeat applicant!

This blog was written by a visa seeking USMLEsarthi student from Nepal.

I have both sweet and bitter experience of the USMLE journey. I had felt the pain of getting unmatched and enjoyed the joy of getting matched as well. I am from Nepal and I have accepted a pre-match offer for residency in Internal Medicine for the upcoming 2020 session. I have done my M.B.B.S. from Nepal itself. I also have a couple of years of work experience as a medical officer. I always wanted to pursue Internal Medicine. I wanted to explore different aspects of internal medicine and choose my further career based on my evolving interest.
 
The initial preparation
 
My journey to residency started while I was working back in Nepal and whenever I found time during the weekdays or weekends I used to study for the Step 1 exam. There were other students preparing for USMLE exams as well and we used to gather on the weekends to meet up for group studies. When the exam came closer I took leave from my job and spent most of the day revising the materials for the exam. I got my result and then I continued to prepare for Step 2 CS and CK. Eventually, I applied for my Visa and came to the US to take my step 2 CS and then I took the CK exam just before the residency application of 2019. Then I prepared all the necessary contents for my application and applied to the residency programs.
 
The reality check
 
This was my first attempt and I did not have US clinical experience. Initially, I was not aware of the importance of US clinical experience. I thought if we had a decent score we will get interviews and get matched. I had a couple of interviews and I did not match in my first attempt. I had to think twice before continuing this journey again as it was a matter of money, hard work and support from family. I gave a thought on my application “what could have I done differently to increase my chance of matching. I convinced my family and thought giving one more try with more US clinical experience which I was lacking initially. 
 
I went unmatched but learnings were invaluable
 
I learned that having US clinical experience with strong LOR, a strong personal statement, and following up with the programs were the keys to getting a higher number of interviews.
 
Additionally, referrals also play a huge role in getting at least the interview opportunity.
 
However, one should not be discouraged if they do not have someone who can refer them, researching for opportunities online and then connecting via email to the appropriate authorities and following up with them also increases the chances of getting some clinical experience and consequently helps to stand out among the applicants.
 
Getting ready for the next season
 
After that, I gained 4 months of USCE and even got a chance to get involved in research works which greatly helped to boost up my application.
 
Armed with all these experiences and with better “survival skills” I devoted more time and dedication to my second attempt. I was able to secure more US clinical experiences and I personally felt the improvement in my own performance on social skills and communication skills. This time around I had almost five times more interviews compared to last year.

Last year one of the program provided me with feedback to improve on communication skills. Though I had enough interviews I was really worried about my performance in interviews. I was searching for friends to prepare for interviews. Everyone used to ask me to try to express emotions while I speak but I was frustrated as I was not able to express myself.
 
How USMLEsarthi helped me
 
I had submitted my applications already when I came to know about USMLE Sarthi and their support system. They have been a great resource for me helping me to prepare for the interviews. If I had any question I could reach out to them and they would provide clarifications and suggestions. Also, the classes were very helpful. They used to cover almost all the interview questions and answers. The long laundry list of struggles I mentioned while preparing for interviews seemed insignificant when I started to seek guidance from the Sarthi team. Thanks to them, I went to these interviews with more confidence and better answers and got the pre-match offer.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but If I were to do this again I would have approached USMLE Saarthi from the get-go. They provide support from the very beginning of application all the way to Interviews in all the steps.
 
Why I took the prematch
So one of the other thing I feel like I should share about my journey is Why I didn’t wait for the match and went with pre-match. The reasons will absolutely differ between different people but for me, some of the key reasons were, first of all, fear of first bad experience. I didn’t match the first time and I didn’t want to let the guaranteed pre-match offer go and wait for a match in this time around. Second, fortunately for me, I got the pre-match offer from one of my favorite programs. Finally, the location: It is perfectly suited for where I want to be for the next three years.
 
 
My advice for you- do not lose hope
 
In addition to the regular struggle with the application process, being an international student, I faced some other problems during my stay in the US. Most of us will face these struggles but the key is to not cave in. If you do not lose your focus, this stage will pass. Some of the common challenges were being homesick, getting frustrated and demoralized, the struggle to afford things in the US is always there. But these hardships provide us with valuable life lessons.
 
 

1. If you are reading this, you are aspiring to pursue a residency in the US. Here’s something to keep in mind, always follow up and communicate.
2. Do not hesitate to ask questions.
3. Learn to immerse yourself into the new environment, don’t reserve yourself within your known friend circle.
4. Do IV practices with aspirants from all over the globe. This early exposure is an absolute game-changer when it comes to building up your confidence. 
5. Be mindful of deadlines.
6. I understand this journey can become frustrating but it is convenient and extremely helpful to have friendly experts of the Sarthi team by your side during this journey.

As Morgan Freeman said in one of my all-time favorite movies - “Hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies.” So do not lose hope.

Best Wishes!