Top Ten IMG Friendly States from Match 2022

Among the many considerations faced by International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking US residency, geographical location is notably important. Not only must IMG residency applicants research individual residency programs, but they should also be aware of state limitations and the overall IMG friendliness of whole states. Learning more about IMG Friendly states from Match 2022 can help IMGs better focus their research and resources. Based on the 2022 NRMP Main Residency Match®: Match Rates by Specialty and State study, the Top Te  Most IMG Friendly States from Match 2022 are:

• New York
• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Texas
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Maryland

- Team IFMGE

Publish date:- 2022-06-01

Pathways for ECFMG Certification for 2023 Match

Alternative Step 2CS Pathways

As in 2022, the 2023 Pathways will offer six Pathways.

Pathway 1: Already Licensed to Practice Medicine in Another Country

First, this is for applicants who currently hold or have recently held a license/registration to practice medicine without supervision. The license/registration must have been valid on or after January 1, 2018.

Pathway 2: Already Passed an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for Medical Licensure Administered by an Acceptable Medical School

Next, applicants who have not yet obtained a license/registration to practice medicine without supervision (Pathway 1), but who attend or have graduated from a medical school that administers an OSCE specifically required for medical licensure by the medical regulatory authority (MRA) in that country can apply to Pathway 2. Additionally, the medical school must meet certain ECFMG requirements and the applicant must successfully complete the OSCE.

Note, ECFMG does not accept passing results on OSCEs not administered by an acceptable medical school. 

Also, applicants to Pathway 2 must have a medical school graduation date on or after January 1, 2021.

Pathway 3: Medical School Accredited by Agency Recognized by World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)

See ECFMG.org for more information.

Pathway 4: Medical School Accredited by Agency that Has Received a Determination of Comparability by National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)

See ECFMG.org for more information.

Pathway 5: Medical School Issues Degree Jointly with a U.S. Medical School Accredited by Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

In summary, students or recent graduates of medical schools that meet eligibility requirements established by ECFMG and who have not yet obtained a license/registration to practice medicine without supervision (Pathway 1) qualify for Pathways 3, 4, and 5. An authorized official of the medical school must attest to the applicant’s clinical skills.

Applicants to Pathways 3, 4, and 5 must have a medical school graduation date on or after January 1, 2021.

Pathway 6: Evaluation of Clinical Patient Encounters by Licensed Physicians

Finally, this last pathway is for applicants who don’t meet the requirements for the other Pathways and/or have failed the former USMLE Step 2 CS exam. For this, licensed physicians in six real, in-person clinical encounters must observe and evaluate the applicant’s clinical skills using the ECFMG Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) for Pathway 6.

For 2023, each physician evaluator will be able to submit evaluations for no more than 10  applicants.

Note, there will be some changes to the processes that physician evaluators must follow to complete Mini-CEX evaluations for Pathway 6 applicants. See details on these changes as they become available.

ECFMG Pathways Application Fee

Please note, the fee to apply to the 2023 Pathways will be $925.

Expiration of the ECFMG Certificate

Remember, ECFMG Certificates issued to applicants through a Pathway can expire. However, once you complete the first year of U.S. GME training in an accredited program, the Certificate will no longer be subject to expire. 

So, that means that if you don’t complete the first year of training before the expiration date, the ECFMG Certificate will expire. If so, you’ll need to re-validate the Certificate by meeting requirements in place at that time in order to enter another GME program in the future.

In addition, ECFMG Certificates issued through the 2021 or 2022 Pathways will be valid through December 31, 2024.

Finally, Certificates issued based on the 2023 Pathways will be valid through December 31, 2024.

- Team IFMGE

Publish date:- 2022-02-02

ERAS 2023 Participating Specialties & Programs

Welcome to the ERAS participating Specialties and Programs information page! To view programs participating in a specific specialty, please click on the link below. https://systems.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/index.cfm

- Team IFMGE

Publish date:- 2022-01-20

Common Mistakes in CV’s for Residency Applicants

Be prepared! You will likely need to keep both digital and print copies of your CV on hand. For printing, use white or cream 24-lb paper. Use a laser printer for the best resolution. When sending digital copies, use a PDF. Double check the formatting is correct in PDF form.

Have specific resumes. A CV is asked for in many situations. It is smart to have specialty specific CVs as well as a CV specific for each experience you will apply to. 

Utilize detailed titles. It is a common mistake to send the wrong CV because it isn’t labeled well. We recommend keeping detailed document titles of what each CV is for, in addition to a date.

Use an active voice. Be sure that you are the active role in your descriptions, do not just describe what you saw others do.

Don’t share too much personal information. You don’t need to include your age, sexuality, religion, political affiliation, citizenship status, national origin, social media handle, or high-risk information like your SSN. If something personal is important to you to share, it may be better in your Personal Statement. 

Avoid errors or exaggerations. Remember that honesty and integrity always matter. You do not want to be in the position of having to explain or defend misinformation.

Incorporate it with your Personal Statement. Be aware of what might need more contextualizing and keep it in mind for your residency personal statement and interviews. For example, time off from school, or if you have a notable gap in work experience can be considered red flags. Start thinking about how you can frame an explanation for those clearly and positively in your personal statement.

Don’t waste space. Craft your descriptions sparingly, do not use terms like “responsible for” or “tasked with.” Just say what you did. Try to use accomplishment-oriented language when possible. Use examples of awards or achievements.

- Team IFMGE

Publish date:- 2021-05-20