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Soham Upadhye- Matched in IM 2019



Creds-261/266/CS pass/all on 1st attempt/2 months University electives/1 month observership/no research/no publications/3 US LOR/YOG 2018/need visa
Applied to 151 programs
Got 17 interviews
Ranked 16 programs
Few pieces of advice to those applying in the future-
1) Please DO NOT compromise scores for anything. Scores are the most important part of the application. If you are confused between focusing on the USMLE's vs electives/obsies/research, STEP SCORES COME FIRST.
2) For the USMLE'S, I did dedicated studying for 6-9 months for both Steps. Sometimes I was asked during the interviews what I was doing during that time, and I answered honestly that I was only studying as I was looking for a good score, and I felt that they were quite satisfied with my answer. In my opinion there is no need to work somewhere and procure some certificate just to fill that gap.
3) Please do try to get good LORs. I was lucky enough to get really good LORs which were personalized, and it got mentioned in the interviews quite a lot.
4) Do start working on your personal statement as early as possible. I began quite late, and that's one thing I would've done differently. It's your first chance to shine in front of the programs, so make it count!
5) Do plan your steps in order to get all 3 results before September 15. Do look at the last date that you can take CS to get your result in time (it's on the USMLE website).
6) I was NOT ECFMG certified at the time of application (September 15). I had finished all my steps but my degree verification was taking a long time to process. Please get your medical credentials verified by ECFMG AS SOON AS YOU GRADUATE. Also, if you're worried that you won't get any interviews if you're not ECFMG certified on September 15, DO NOT WORRY, most programs do not care about the actual certificate at that time, and you will get pretty much the same number of interviews with or without the certificate. APPLY ON SEPTEMBER 15 NO MATTER WHAT. I sent a follow up email to all programs in October when I got my certificate to update them.
7) For interviews, I did not prepare much and just went with being myself. Most of the interviews were just relaxed conversations between two strangers. They wanted to get to know me, and I wanted to get to know them. Please prepare lots of thoughtful questions to ask them which tells them you are interested.
8. This process is insanely gruelling, cruel, and stressful; and anyone who goes through it is a champion regardless of the outcome. Please keep your head held high, never give up on your dreams, and keep fighting like the champion you are! Stars can't shine without darkness. Please keep your loved ones close during this difficult period, and never ever let any result affect you. 
9) Having read some of the experiences on this group, what these amazing people had to go through to match, I am convinced that persistence pays of. Please keep working, striving hard to chase your dreams. You WILL get there one day!
Thank you so much to all my seniors and colleagues of this group for their tremendous guidance and support. I could not have done it without your help. I'd be happy to help with any questions that you guys might have. All the best!!

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