Malak Modi- MATCH 2019

Matched: Louisiana State University Shreveport, Internal Medicine Residency.
YOG: 2017, B.J. Medical college, Ahmedabad
Step 1: 253 (July 2017)
Step 2: 261 (March 2018)
CS: first attempt (May 2018)
Visa status: Green Card holder (US Permanent Resident)

Interviews received: 58
Interviews accepted: 27
Programs ranked: 20

USCE: 3 months observerships at University and Teaching institutions (3 LORs from there), 4 months externships at Private Clinics (did not take LOR from there)
LORs: 3 LORs from my observerships and 1 LOR from BJMC.
Match attempt: 1st

The most important thing about this journey is to be persistent. Remember that, meticulous planning and proper execution is the key to match. Have everything ready before the application season and apply on time.

Things I observed during this application cycle:

1. Nothing beats HIgh Scores and a Green Card.
Scores and GC >>> USCE > Research
Never compromise your scores in order to get USCE.
I had the US Green card so instead of running after electives I decided to focus on my USMLE scores and after going through the Match, I feel like this is the best strategy. Never ever compromise your scores for anything. If you are not able to secure your target score, it is always better to delay giving exam rather than scoring low.

2. Never give USMLE exams in a rush to apply early or in order to leave for electives. If you score less, there is no turning back.

3. Obviously hands on experience is better than shadowing but again your aim should be to secure 3 good Letters of Recommendations from reputed institutions. So if you had a choice to get an LOR from observership in a University hospital under Assistant/ Associate/ Professor versus an LOR from an externship in a private clinic hands on experience under a doctor who is affiliated with the hospital but doesn’t hold a faculty position in that hospital, I would suggest you to go with the observership LOR rather than externship LOR.

4. Don't try to find USCE through companies. These companies will place you with a private clinic physician affiliated with the hospital. Instead search yourself, make contacts and people will help you out.

5. Don't follow anyone's program list. Make your own list. Search img friendly places apply to those which meet the criteria.

6. For visa requiring people, Step 3 will fetch you 1,2 more interviews (from what I observed).

7. Always ask more than 1 person for guidance. Hear everyone out and then decide what suits you the best.

8. Never take advice from anyone who hasn't passed steps and hasn't gone through the whole Match process.

9. Be absolutely sure that you want to pursue this path before beginning the preparation.

10. It is a long journey and a tough one. You will need support. It is all about perseverance. You will feel like giving up half way through. But just remember it is worth it.

I had zero research experience so I can't answer about that.

Brief timeline:
Internship start date: 15th March 2016
Internship end date: 5 May 2017 ( Went to US during the internship to renew my green card)
Degree date: January 2018
Step 1: July 2017
Moved to US in August 2017
Did externships in private clinics while preparing for CK
Step 2 CK: March 2018
Step 2 CS: May 2018 (Houston is the best center. Plan early)
ECFMG certified in June
Observerships: June- August 2018
Applied for residency on 15th September, 2018
Visited 22 States on the interview trail, made some amazing new friends. This is the time to enjoy and explore different cities. Yeah, I saved a lot of money because I had my own car and I drove everywhere in the South US.
Matched on 15th March, 2019

All the best..!!

-Malak Modi