How Networking and Outreaching will help in Residency match

This one's for all of the students out there who are doing their best. You have all got this – remember the spiral staircase analogy and to do what is best for you. We’re almost at the end now, don’t give up! There’s still something left inside of you!

​Our IMG Angel Sunny, she accepted a pre match in pediatrics and shared how she approached the match, her USMLE success story and a few tips to help you through the USMLE journey.

Angel Sunny graduated from India in 2017, then moved to the US in 2019. Since then, she started preparing for her USMLE exams, applied for the cycle match season, and accepted a pre match offer in Pediatrics at a program. She matched in her first cycle. 

She started preparing for her USMLE step 1 exam in 2019. While she was preparing for her exams she has also done her externship exclusively in Pediatrics. Meanwhile she was also doing her research and she volunteered and started doing case reports in Pediatrics. 

Dr Angel prepared herself for 20 applications to meet all the criteria and applications. In her 8 months of rotation research she focused only on Pediatrics. When she saw some good cases coming into the outpatient clinic during her internship, she talked to the doctor and got the patient's permission then started writing case reports. She would look for online conferences that were happening at the time so she could publish through those conferences and abstracts. She mentioned that there is a website called Curious.com where you can submit your case reports, which will be pre-reviewed before being published. 

She talks about her experience with the Sarthi team and how vital it is to network and reach out to people. And she is glad for the opportunity to meet the wonderful USMLE Sarthi team, led by Pawan, and team members (I had enrolled in the Platinum plan), as well as all of the other panelists who offered their valuable experience with her.

Here are some advice for your USMLE residency match journey based on her experience.

• Networking is key Reach out and network with a lot of residents, doctors from their current residents
• Ask. Ask about their USMLE Journey, ask why they chose that particular field. Then also ask them how the program is. This will help you a lot during the application and interview
• Your training and experience is never a waste in your home country, - they can all help as long as you can link them to the specialty of interest
• Always keep improving your scores. 
• Make sure your ERAS CV and personal statement are well-organized. Seek expert assistance, as I did with USMLESarthi.