Types of US Clinical Experience and its importance for Match
Externships, Observerships, Electives and their significance.

Electives are done prior to receiving your final degree, mostly done during the internship period. The main advantage of an elective is that it will give you a hands-on US experience, which is highly sought for by many programs.
Electives significantly increase your chances of matching into that program if you meet the criteria. Be assured if you really shine during your elective and prove your mantle, there is a high likelihood of being offered an interview.
Observership, on the other hand, is done after getting your final degree, they also show a significant US Clinical Experience (USCE), remember you may get a Hands-on experience (externships) after the graduation as well. Many hospitals offer it (paid as well as free).

Hospital based experience is always preferable to clinic based.
There are two approaches for researching an observership, Paid vs Free.
One key criterion when seeking a free observership is approaching the right faculty, many programs allow shadowing of their physicians only if the physicians accept to have a shadow, and many are willing to as well. They understand the system well and know its importance.

​The key is finding programs which have offered in the past and then selectively approaching physicians by mailing them, you may need to send many emails prior to being successful. But many have been successful. another approach is asking for a meeting with the doctors in person.

Our team at USMLESarthi has collected the list of hospitals/clinics that can help you with electives, hands-on and observerships, which you can find on our free resources page.

​Don’t forget to check your spam folder once you register.

Our team can also help you with hands on experiences, please see our page for current openings. ​

Useful Videos for IMGs on US Clinical experience

Importance of USCE: interview with a matched USMLESarthi student
USCE Options for IMGs