Journey of a US IMG- plan and execute like Dhoni

I am a US Citizen and I never had it easy to the contrary of most applicants belief. Why, you may ask. My decision to go to medical school in India was an easy one. I was young, naive (confused) and my parents took the decision. But acclimatizing to India, the education system, the examination style was all a challenge. But this was my first step towards enjoying my challenges. I believe life is about taking on one challenge at a time and thoroughly enjoying the time.


Residency was always in the plans for me. But I was very busy. Busy with enjoying college life - bunking classes to go to movies, sneaking in and out of the hostel, sleeping in class after attendance call - the whole package. As I completed my fourth year, I knew it was time for electives. Lucky for me, my college had an affiliation with a university in the US. So yes, things did come to me in a silver platter. But only up to this time. My one elective/clerkship was a big advantage for me. In my time, not many IMGs had the opportunity for hands-on clinical experience in US. But times have changed now. There are many opportunities out there for hands-on. But it’s all in the planning.


After my clerkship, I started to study for Step 1. I faced and overcame many hurdles for this exam. I still say it has been the most stressful time of my life. My score came and it wasn't a score I wanted to tell everyone. “Where was that silver platter?!” As I was completing my internship I was tempted to apply for more clerkships now that I have a Step 1 score. But my score discouraged everyone around me. Getting my degree was the most important task now. Thinking in retrospect, I strongly believe doing one or two more months of clerkships at this point could have greatly improved my CV and clinical knowledge.


While applying for observerships, I started studying for CK. They said this would be easier, but it wasn’t. I found it harder than step 1 which meant only one thing - more stress. But I continued to study and applied for CS to take it in June giving me adequate time for observerships and my score report in time for application.


Observerships experience was great. I had no trouble getting along with everyone, earning brownie points, and impressing everyone with my work ethic and personality. The challenge came when I went to my room and I had to study for CS and CK, somedays together and other days alternatively. It sounds good on paper, but in reality I had no clue what I was doing, whether I was making any progress. But I did not see another road so I kept going - studying for CS and CK while doing observerships. This was the time I had to like Dhoni - focused, strategic, persistent, and more importantly, calm and balanced.


I took a month off to really dedicate my time for studies - this meant 18 hours a day of studying with 2 hours breaks and even during the breaks I was on Facebook on the NBME and CMS pages learning stuff. I made a schedule for each week - listing the hours and exactly what I needed to study. I was stressed but I was at my peaks and really happy for some odd reason. My parents saw a new side of me. This was their dream come true - to see me studying like a maniac.


So the day came when I had to leave for Chicago for 5 days in the middle of my prep. On day 5 I take my CS exam. Even these 5 days were heavy preparation days. I started studying 10 minutes after checking into my hotel. The exam day was like any other exam day. I messed up in some cases, I did good in others. Like any other person, I thought I failed. I told my parents there is 83% chance I passed. “What?” (Barney Stinson reference). But I could not let myself linger on that thought longer because I had CK in 20 days. To say I was going crazy is an understatement. But I had to keep it together for 20 more days. But I couldn't - of course.


The last week I took NBME 7 which is the hardest and so I didn't score very well. This discouraged me and my UW percentages were dropping. So I decided to embrace my craziness, reset UW and did 10-13 blocks per day for 4 days. The next day was my exam. My exam was surreal and enjoyable - a rare experience to be heard. I started an hour early, and came out bouncing. No, I did not use substances. I did not care about my score because I was proud and happy with myself. Even today, I feel happy thinking about my exam day. (I got a nice score.)


Next task was to get on my CV and PS (personal statement) - after a considerable break, of course. I was back to being my normal self - laid back, chilled. So, what is a personal statement? “No clue.” What do I write in it? “My life story? Ew please no.” Can I fake it? “I wish. I could write Bahubali story.” Can someone please write it for me?? “Like the guy who wrote Bahubali’s story? Please!” I should have been in more adventures to have a great life story. My personal statement was so hard to write - for such an average student who took no stress about academics. It took many edits and tries to get it right and it was still beyond the suggested word limit. At this point, I had roughly a month to upload personal statement,  finish CV, get my letters of recommendation uploaded - all in time for September 15.


Joining USMLESarthi #usmlesarthi was a great decision. It landed me into a platform where I could connect with a lot of people in the same boat as me. I never knew such groups existed before Sarthi. With their help and my mom’s guidance I really refined my personal statement and CV. And they prepared me for interviews really well too. I found partners and friends on the groups and would practice and learn with them everyday from September to November, every day and every evening. I worked very hard for interviews as well, because I did not know any other road. Hard work has become my second nature after so many years of working my butt off. Not really, but I knew interviews are a big turning point. Everything I did so far goes on my CV - 50% and interview performance was 50%. So, time to hit those helicopter shots.  (“I can't even lift a cricket bat.”)


I will end this long biopic by saying this:  I left no leaf/stone unturned because I did not want to go unmatched. And you can argue by saying I am a citizen and so I matched easily as I do not have visa issues or communication issues. I will not take part in the argument (“whateves”). I do not have a story with a lot of hardships and struggles because I chose not to land myself in situations to face those. Yes, I like challenges but I do not want to be Frodo. I planned my journey one step at a time, improving at each step. If you plan accordingly, your story can too be a “feel-good movie”.


My advice:

1. Embrace what the universe gives you. It has a plan. Trust its timing.
2. You will meet all kinds of people by the time you match. They will all take part in your becoming as a resident.
3. This whole process, starting from steps to low scores to the exhausting interview season, is all part of the plan to make you a good resident. 
4. Do not rush your exams. If it is taking a year long, let it. A year is nothing compared to a lower than your potential score.
5. Your score is your baby - ugly or pretty you will love your baby.
6. Be helpful. You are a doctor. Your bread and butter comes from helping people.
7. Be genuine. Don't be like a Disney villain. Don't be weird like that.
8. Keep pushing. Don't give up. Because nothing is sweeter than waking up at 7:50 AM PST and getting that email from NRMP at 7:54 AM PST saying “Congratulations! You have matched!”. No, not even Nutella. (I like Hershey’s spread better.) (No I was not going to wake up at 2 AM. I did my hard work. Nothing I will do now can change what is in that email.)
9. Planning is important. But do not microanalyze and plan to the minute. 
10. Last advice:  Stay calm.

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