r/ResidencyMatch2025

Welcome! I mean it. I love working with new interns. check these out. They will make a difference for you.

• MDCalc: every clinical score you'll ever need. Free
• OpenEvidence: 100% get this! . Free and awesome!
• UpToDate: check if your hospital gives you access
• Epocrates: quick drug and interaction reference.
• NEJM "Videos in Clinical Medicine" — watch this before you do a procedure
• Thedailystat.com — a daily board-style question sent to you by email
• The White Coat Investor (book + free blog). Honestly I wish i had learned about this before

Everyone, please feel free to add to my list

Hello everyone,
I’m a non-US medical student from Iraq, and I’m preparing for the US residency Match.

Recently, I spoke with an IMG from my country who matched into the US last cycle. He told me that having connections is the most important factor—more important than observerships or even Step scores. That honestly made me feel discouraged.

From what I see, making connections seems very difficult. There are thousands of IMGs applying every year, and many of them are emailing attendings and trying to network. It doesn’t seem easy to build meaningful connections this way.

I really appreciate hearing from people who have successfully matched. How important were connections in your experience? Can a strong application (good Step scores, US clinical experience, research, and letters of recommendation) still be enough without having personal connections?
Thank you!

Hey guys, I’m considering a PGY1 residency opportunity at a hospital while being a mom to a toddler, and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done something similar.

I’m a recently licensed pharmacist (foreign grad) and this would be my first hospital role here in US. The program is at a smaller site and I would be the only resident there!

I’m trying to understand what the day-to-day reality is like—especially balancing residency hours, studying, projects and childcare. If anyone has gone through PGY1 with young kids, or even just as a foreign grad-what was the most challenging part or what did you wish you knew before taking it on? I really value your honest experience, what helped you manage it, and what you wish you had known before starting. I am having second thoughts about it.TIA!

Hello all.

I am program director for a new residency program currently pending ACGME accreditation.

We are expecting to receive accreditation this fall and then move right into interviews.

As we prepare for the season the burning question is:

Do applicants prefer virtual or in-person interviews?

As a brand new program - would you consider applying if it is in-person only?

Please give your feedback.

We will be IMG friendly.

I am a US-IMG graduated from Germany. I want to go into primary care and would be happy with IM-primary care track programs or Family Medicine. I am looking for advice on how to submit my LoRs. I have the same LoRs for both applications. Should I ask my LoR writers to upload them each twice, once for IM and once for FM or should I upload them all as General (they are all tailored to primary care)?

My LoRs are:

- IM (from Germany)

- Surgery (from Germany)

- General/Other (from med edu company I worked for as a content writer)

- Palliative/Geriatrics (USA) *USCE upcoming

- Family Medicine (USA) *this is a maybe if I can find one

Grateful for advice on this!

I got matched this year. I have the J1 visa scheduled on July 14th. My program start date is July 1st. Today I received an email from my PD saying that since I couldn't start the program on July 1st, they are applying for nrmp waiver and planning to fill the spot with a candidate who can start on July 1st.

I have been in contact with the Program coordinator and TPL regularly. They were supportive in the process. But all of the sudden today I received a email stating that they have applied for nrmp waiver.

How does the nrmp waiver works? Will I be contacted by the NRMP? What about deferral to next year? Is it possible for the program to delay the start date for couple of weeks?

Anybody who is aware of the process reach out. It would be very helpful.

After enduring the whole Matching journey and then having to go through this is so stressful and I am freaking out. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Would you pay $10 for a detailed residency application checklist made by an IMG physician?