Matched in psychiatry residency after 5 application cycles!

This story's author wishes to remain anonymous!

Success: Psychiatry Residency

"I believe in Persistence, Luck and Karma!!!

I am an IMG from South-east Asia. I have been inspired from many hard-working IMGs who have succeeded to get into psych residency even after 5-7 years of application cycle. I think my story is similar to many of my colleagues. I am excited to have matched in psychiatry residency after 5 application cycles. It was long and tiring but I kept my spirits high and continued to work in psych. It was very challenging for me financially. Thanks to my family who continued to support during this time because residency application is both financially and emotionally draining. Also, it would not have been possible without the guidance of my mentors and seniors.

I just want to share my experiences during my residency journey with all the psychiatry residency applicants (especially IMGs). My USMLE scores are in 220 to 230s in step 1 and 2, have completed step 2 CS and step 3 (all in first attempts). Also, I have green card (US green card or citizenship may help you get few interviews especially from some programs but believe it does not help to matching process unless you are dedicated and show commitment in psychiatry).

I graduated in 2009 and worked as a primary care physician in home country for 3 years. 

ECFMG Certified in 2014

2015 - applied in IM and psych without step 3- had 3 interviews each- did not match

2016- applied in psych with step 3 and psych externship of 6 month- 5 interviews- did not match

2017- applied in psych with extra 1 year of psych externship- 5 interviews-did not match

2018- applied with extra 6 months of psych externship plus psych research experiences- 6 interviews- did not match

2019- applied with 8 months of psych clinical research in reputed university hospital, one publication and 3 posters in APA as well as 6 months of externship in psych (ECT) + had been shadowing in geriatric clinic for past one and half year- ONLY 3 INTERVIEWS IN PSYCH AND FINALLY MATCHED DURING POST MATCH 

My advice to all prospective psych residency applicants is that do not give up. Persistence and perseverance will finally pay off. I personally think that improving my interview skills helped me a lot. Also, well written personal statement and CV is essential because some interviewer asked me detailed questions from what was written there. 

“Not one size fits all”. Every applicant is unique, and every one must prove during the interview that they will fit very well in the program. Dear friends, do not say to yourself that I should have matched instead of he/she because I have more clinical experiences and research. It is not everything. The program also looks into the whole aspect of application including your personality that you demonstrate during interview. Also, the CV should be tailored to demonstrate genuine interest in psychiatry. One more important thing is to attend the psych conferences and build connections (who knows when your connection may help you) and be humble to every people you meet. Most importantly, do research the programs you are applying for yourself because applying to IMG friendly programs only will save you money and most likely give interviews. Psychiatry was competitive, is competitive now and I believe will continue to get more and more competitive in the upcoming years because more AMGs are applying in psych and there are very few residency slots compared to other specialty in addition to the huge number of applicants every year.

Having said that, the match process is very tricky and unpredictable. Even if you are ranked highly, luck may not favor you. But don’t get discouraged by it because it is a level playing field for all. In conclusion, what matters is continuing to improve yourself, becoming a better human being, working on your weaknesses and you will ONE DAY SUCCEED IN ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my long post.