I went over 3 years without matching, and let me tell you, it was a life changing experience. It started off really miserable because I was broke after the application seasons. I needed a job to support myself but because I was in academia for so long, I don't have any work experience. I sent out over 300 resume for a job, but got no interviews. So I was basically broke, living in my car :(. I took my computer to Starbucks every day and watch KZfaq, Udemy, and other videos to learn different skills. I learn digital marketing, and started my own business. Network my A$$ off, and now I own a multimillion dollar marketing agency with over 50 employees :). A lot of my clients are hospital executives, so I got some connections to do externship, shadowing, or anything to make sure I don't forget my medical knowledge. I went from living in my car in Modesto CA to moving to Los Angeles, CA in a luxury apartment in front of the ocean. I'm still going after the match because it's still my passion to be a physician. What I'm trying to say is that if you don't match, work hard to make money from another field, and use that money to pursue your dreams. Once you have enough money in your pocket, the match isn't that scary anymore. You end up enjoying medicine much more because it's not about the money or reputation, it's about studying something crazy narly.

Oh my god. This is one of my fears. I don't want to go through 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of med school if I can't match. This is really scary.

I struggled through undergrad and knew I wasn’t going to be competitive enough to get into med school. Instead of retaking classes and boost up my GPA, I attended a technical school and received an associates in respiratory therapy so I can at least have a job. Best decision I’ve ever made! I’ve been doing it for 2 yrs now and recently been making around 4 to 5K per week the last couple of months doing traveling assignments during the covid pandemic. I still think sometimes of becoming a doctor but I do fear of the worst case scenario of not getting residency or flunking med school all together. But that’s why I became a respiratory therapist so if all things fail, I will still have a job. And to be honest, for any person who just graduated from high school and wants to become a doctor, I suggest going to technical school or trade school and get a degree that leads you to a job right away and that way you can have a safety net moving forward.

Twenty years ago, I made the fateful decision to leave medical school after third year. To this day, I still believe it's the best decision I ever made. My heart goes out to everyone who has to go through the stress of not matching.

My daughter just went through this. She is amazing. Entered Spelman as the #4 student in the honors program. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Attended UNC medical school. Didn’t match on day 1 but matched on day 2. She’s currently doing her residency at UNC but now she has to re-apply. Again she is amazing and not just because she’s my daughter. I pray every night that she remain mentally tough, perseveres through this process and of course place. I’ll tell her about you and perhaps she can get some uplift from your content.

Thank you for this, a lot of doctors are scared to admit they did not get matched and are 300k in debt doing a research assistant job.

I'm an M2 but accidentally started reading the SOAP thread on Reddit. Really scared myself! But then I looked at the data and saw at minimum 90% of US grads do match. Residency in general kind of needs an overhaul - it's been built haphazardly out of necessity with almost no long term planning.

With hard work and determination all is possible ! Dr. Webb has shown that and I was an Hispanic Immigrant McDonalds worker and now an ER doc. One of my very intelligent friends did not match and just worked 2-3 random jobs one being MD consultant and re-applied the year after that and got in. Now years later has an attending job lined up ;). keep up the work and faith !!!!! ;)

My son had step scores high enough to compete with plastic surgery/dermatology. But he only wanted internal medicine . He did not match at all. He is heartbroken.

I think applicants who don't match after 2 or 3 attempts should explore opportunities outside the US: New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, UK... Or learn a foreign language and move to Germany, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Israel... All these countries do accept foreign medical graduates based on various criteria. Do the research and take a leap. There will be some challenges, but it is doable.

This video came at the right time! I just read that article a day ago and as a Caribbean medical student it is very concerning that I, and many of my fellow classmates, may not get residency spots upon graduating because we are IMGs. Thank you for posting this video and shedding more light on this issue, Dr. Francois.

A family member shared the New York Times article with me and as soon as I saw the title I suspected that the applicants may have attended non-US medical schools. I explained to that family member that for those who attended a US allopathic medical school the match rate was over 90% across all specialties. Your video did a nice job of summarizing some of the factors that residencies consider when selecting applicants. Even the most competitive specialties usually have match rates in the high 80s, but I suspect that only highly competitive applicants apply to them.

That’s why I’m not letting my paramedic license lapse through medical school. It’s collateral, and matching is never guaranteed.

Very informative video. As a current 3rd year medical student who will be applying for the match next year, this is definitely information that I need to know. Thanks Dr. Francois!

My niece's husband also did a year of study for a Fellowship before he got a "real" job. With the shortage of doctors in the US I'd think that more people would be hired. It's ridiculous. My Cardiologist and Pulmonologist are booked out a year. My primary told me , last time I saw her, that she has 1500 patients. It's NUTS.

I knew a girl who didn’t match. I was shocked.

Match week is next week. I'm 63yo. If no match, I know why. I've got a couple plan B and C's already in the works. It's call hustle.

Knew something was up. It's called rationing. Between the politicians & the AMA they always prefer a shortage of docs than trying to appropriate the needs of society so that we can get out to rural sections, inner cities, even doctors w/o borders. Surely pandemic has taught us something that we also need to be able to spell docs who have been working around the clock.

I large part of this problem is Caribbean schools. The match rate for mainland MD/DOs with no major academic shortcomings is over 95% while Caribbean schools are around 60 for those allowed to attempt it, even lower if you include the entire cohort. Also, with step 1 going p/f, these gaps are going to get larger due to an inability to distinguish ones self from these IMG school and more weight being put on the name of your medical school.

It is a wierd system of spending so much money for nothing. But the match rate for US grads is 90%. IMG match rates are near 60%. What Indian doctors do is spend 1 year in US medical estanlishments as observers. In that time they gain knowledge of US practices and develop a professional network for recommendations which help thfm in getting residencies. Expendive way. Spend close to a year in US without salary.

With a person with learning disability and teachers telling me that I cant make it because of the lack of learning differently, my thing is that dont let no one tell you what you can or cant not do.

Thank you for being open and honest about the process. No one tells us these things when we are going through premed in undergrad and afterwards. New subbie here! Keep the open and honest conversations going!

Thank you for acknowledging this.

This is so interesting to me. In my country we don’t have enough doctors because med school places are so limited (that’s also why it’s so hard to get into medical school the first place) but if you finish medical school it is kinda guaranteed you get a job and further residency training. I think it’s not fair that people give their hardest work to get a place in medical school, go through this hard education and then don’t get a job? Why would you go through all of this :( also I’ve heard medical school in the us is super expensive… that would really scare me as an applicant

Speaking as a doctor educated in the British system - ‘Matching’ for house jobs (internship) was done, and every graduate had to complete 6 months in general medicine and another 6 months in surgery. Once this was done, full registration was obtained. Thereafter, different people did different things, but generally time was spent broadening experience by means of 3-6 moths in various specialities, and only then did most people decide on a speciality. After full registration I did 5 months paediatric surgery, 2 1/2 years neurosurgery and then went into anaesthetics - 6 1/2 years in an academic setting, and then I moved to a smaller hospital to continue anaesthetics and ICU. I then moved into a trauma unit and worked in ICU. During the time in trauma ICU I became involved in flight medevacs and have gone on to get a BSc (Hons) Aerospace Medicine.

The challenge lies in a scarcity of consultants, rather than a deficit of trainers.

Thank you for bringing this to attention. I am downloading the article now.

It seems nonsensical to me to let so many more people into the beginning of the process than five or ten years ago when the number of job slots at the end of the process has not changed in more than ten years.

This is why I keep my ASCP certification current. I am a medical lab scientist and if I don't match in pathology or find a job post residency I will apply to become a Lab Director or a Histology specialist. I don't think path is all that competitive though... right???

Thank you for this informative video. With shadowing shut down due to covid, I’ve had to rely on other resources for physician perspectives, like your channel lol. I’m a non traditional premed that’s considering a career change into medicine. Not matching is one of my greatest fears because getting into medical school will be challenging enough (I’ve been out of school for a decade). But trying to keep up with the “younger” competition will probably be my biggest challenge yet. I’m not considering competitive residencies and am focusing on primary care ones in my state and surrounding ones. I’m determined to just do my very best and no matter the outcome, I will find a job to pay back my debt ASAP. However, I also don’t like surprises so I appreciate honest channels like yours that try to prepare premeds to be prepared and especially not to take those boards lightly. When I’m a med student, I will have those USMLE books glued to my face!

Thanks for covering this. It’s really helpful!

I'm not going to medical school, but I always struggled with working and taking classes at the same time so yeah I could definitely not risk going to medical school if that's what I wanted. I would probably have a lot of trouble studying and taking on extra activities at the same time.

Only the lower bottom of the class won't match. Honestly, you wouldn't want them to be your doctor. --- I worked in Student Affairs and saw that.

Hi. I met MANY IGMs who matched into residencies in which they had no interest. However, it was SOMETHING they could do, to at least be a practicing physician in the U.S. Most were older folks (over 40) who were seasoned doctors from overseas. I met a couple of them who decided to become PAs. What do you think about the "associate physician" positions in one state (Montana, I think 🤔)? It allows unmatched MDs to practice under supervision of a licensed MD/DO (like PAs) until they match.

If you’re unable to match. You can work as a physician assistant at some states.

Does being a doctor give you perfect teeth too? 😍 gorgeous.

Great contents, thank you for your video! Please do another video of “alternative routes if you don’t get matched.” Like teaching(school board committee, career training programs), Health Informatics, coaching medical students, write books on learned materials, Step 1 Test preparation, question samples, etc.

Never go to a low-standard "medical" schools .

I have heard it explained as being an [ apprentice doctor ] and not yet a full fledged doctor.

Wife , 3 kids and attending you go!!! I always tell girls that are just graduating undergrad to stop thinking about the family they don’t have and making career decisions based off that because of people like you. I say I see women with crazy careers that have families all the time. I also say unless you want to do family medicine don’t do IMG. You won’t match into anything else. This is for certain. In the past they could specialize but those days are long gone.

First Advice i was told by my mentirs . "DO NOT GO TO CARRIBEAN" There are DO school There arr MD school Why would you go ti carribean for school

theres some good news, AAMC reports that hospitals will receive funding to open up 1000 more residency spots, which hasn't happened in 25 years. I'm not sure when exactly these plans will take place, how the 1000 spots will be distributed among specialties (although high need areas such as rural settings will get more funding) or if it will be rolled out all at once or gradually increased, but still good to hear they will expand residencies.

You can take your MD and work in other fields. It may not be ideal but it is an option.

i have a hard luck story. Had to scramble back in 2007. Then was dismissed from a 4 year residency after 2 years due to academic problems while struggling to balance work and family. Then i worked in the field seeing under-served rural patients for several years and tried to be their advocate but got into a legal mess. Now i have no medical license (for at least 3 years), no DEA, still no board certification, and a mountain of debt. Tried to match this year but unsuccessful; no luck with the SOAP either (which was this week). Feeling like a failure; don't know what to do. i don't have a plan b or c. i'm not a salesman or an entrepreneur. So I have no faith in the system, and my spirit is broken and crushed, maybe beyond repair.

Appreciate you Dr Francois 🙌🏾🥰

Thank you for covering this topic. I am newly subscribed because this topic is overall taboo. I have not matched but will continue to try to. (I am an AMG)

If you go to a medical school in the US the only way you don’t match into something if you overreach based on your step scores. Don’t apply dermatology or ENT if your scores aren’t even competitive for Family Med

This video cleared up some important things for me. Keep up the great work.

Great video. Very educational and well presented. I’m a public health student, but as one who was formerly premed with an interest in pediatrics, I find this video fascinating. Quite sad that ppl can work their behind off and not secure their dreams. Tough world.

I didn’t take away the clear “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” of being a more secure applicant for matching into residency. And also, if you don’t match, is that simply the end of the road for newly graduated doctors? Loved the video!

Really interesting. I’ve wondered about what happens when obtaining a residency is a challenge. Thanks for talking about it.

Man, this system seems pretty flawed. I don't think any other country does it like this. In my country, after school you get a job at any of thousands of government approved hospitals for a year, which is called a housemanship. If you complete it, you get your licence. You can practice as a general practitioner. You don't even think of residency until you're ready to specialise, and then you take your residency exams to get into a residency

So there is a shortage of doctors right now . Why don’t they allow them to match in a non competitive residency

So yall can get through med school and still not be a doctor? What a rough field.

Thank you for posting this video. It’s very well done with the editing and stock footage. You are a great presenter. Did any of your classmates who did not match initially ever end up getting a match or what did they do over time?

Am an IMG but not from Caribbean. You need a bunch of externships. Also good scores is important.

Going to medical school- the biggest mistake of my life.....thus far haha This field is toxic for sure.

On the Admin side, I would think that being bilingual would be a huge plus for being matched. Get out the Rosetta Stone! LOL Large cities have so many multinational patients that Bilingual adds in additions as you said willing to go anywhere.

You are glowing! Could you do a vid on your skincare regimen/diet?

im a rising senior (in hs) idk why im here but I just learned about matching today and got a little scared I know I have 9 years but I was just confused great video made me feel better

All IMGs are not equal. Many IMGs require a visa too. They gave even lower rates.

I learned stock trading and option trading . Now I am financially independent.

Wow I just don't get it. In Vegas we are so short on doctors. There should be a easier process. I cant imagine going through all that and then not match. The residency programs should increase the amt of students they take in. Then once u graduate. There should be easier ways of finding a job. We are so short on doctors. Do they have a match system once your done with all the what 14 plus yrs of training?

Thank you so much for the informative video !

I know I'm kinda late to this but.. honestly, the fact is a certain percentage of medical students will not match regardless of their performance because there simply isn't enough spaces for residency training... and that's what many people don't talk about.. it's simple math.. 100 students, 80 spaces.. 20 will not get in. No matter how high or low their step 1 or 2 score is..

Please draw attention to the fact that paraprofessionals like PA/NP with far less knowledge than a physician can get a very good high paying job just out of school without a residency. Physicians have access to none of these jobs due to stringencies imposed on them by the licensure process. This is what is most disturbing about our commitment to highly trained care in the US, and suggestive of why the ACGME and match needs to adapt to modern affairs, and possibly need to be eliminated completely as they interfere with physician education. This is a very frustrating time to be acquiring the knowledge and specialization previously believed to be necessary to provide care. There is definitely a part of this story about how international schools prey upon bright eyed undergrads wanting to be physicians, but another part of this story about unqualified paraprofessionals performing care that needs to be picked up!

Thanks for talking about this

This possible? Wow I did not know this was a thing. I have no internet in medicine or medical school, but love watching videos about them for some reason lol

Same is true of law school grads who dont pass the bar. The bottom of the barrel is still the bottom.

I don't understand why diversity in medicine should depend on IMGs. There should be sufficient diversity within US Med School graduates.

Would be life crushing when someone doesn't match.

With hospitals in rural areas begging for doctors I would thinks states and federal government would be willing to help these people.

That is so sad. My brother in law graduated from medical school in 1990. I do not remember him doing a residency. And he has been a physician since then. Did I not pay attention to the pictures with the government? Lol

Loved this, I’ve kind of been freaking out. This year I made it my goal to not think too much and just go for it. I’m still pre med but I am working to break a habit of talking myself out of greatness just because I’m afraid. Side request: could you make a video of Anesthesia stories? I see a lot of videos of typical Anesthesia days but I never hear the stories of how Anesthesiologist truly save the day in The OR when things start going down hill.

For that reason I stop thinking in Med school, I was doing Biology and try doing volunteer getting everything and when I started to research more, I found that medical school is just for people that does not have anything else in their life, so I change to Bioinformatic and Medical Lab, I still will be in health care but in a way more easy to get there

I was informed that those who didn't match have to participate in scramble.

This is wild. So unfortunate!

The article likely talking about Caribbean grads. These are bottom of the barrel students that have lower cognitive ability. They cant get into peripheral allied healthcare programs in the usa.

Great. One more thing to stress about. 😅. I’m an optician and I’m currently taking my prereqs to get my bachelor’s in biomedical engineering. But I do plan on going on into medical school as well, with optometry being a back-up plan.I’m not necessarily the sharpest tool in the box, but not the dullest either. If I do happen to get into medical school, I know is gonna suck, but knowing that the chance of me not being matched is kinda high is kinda disheartening.

*In an International (Caribbean) school* *Hates Seeing 50%

Hi doc, would you consider anesthesiology IMG friendly? What are the most important things program directors look for when screening applicants applying to anesthesiology?

You can still get a license as a General Physician

Yet another reason I'm glad I went into PA!

Interesting... but Why am I watching this?

Why did KZfaq recommended this video to me...

I thought the U.S. had a really big doctor shortage? If you're willing to go anywhere and take any position, I would think jobs would be available. With experience you can then find a better position.

Dr. Francois thank you for sharing this information!

You spoke about gaps in the medical education. Can you elaborate on that?

If matching is never a guarantee and if in the end it leaves you broke and without a job for several of years, why don't American MD's try to go to a different country to specialize such as the UK or Australia? Of course, the pay is not the same but at least you will get paid and not broke spending a countless amount of money trying to re-apply for the match. Just never made sense to me

Hi I still want to be a doctor and if some things go south I would go over sea, or South American to help though who need my help as a doctor!!! If any one can help me please do so.

Very interesting...never knew that.

This is discouraging :(

Attaining an MD should be a continuing education, passion driven IMO. Currently licensed in another field as a backup. Like this video states..you as the applicant!!! But if it meant to be. God will sustain your journey..

As an IMG this is so sad

My plan is to finish the 6 yrs n do the usmle to work in us.... N u plz explain this to do when u want to make yo application standout apart from yo scores

As a high school student wanting to pursue a career in medicine what can I start doing now to help me be prepared for my pre med and medical school years

This is video was very informative 👌. Thank you # gorgeous 😍

Well I find myself in the exact perdicament you discussed. I went to school have my degree and didn't match. How do you get pass the filters to have PD's take a look at the whole person. Some feed back on what to do next would be apprecitaed. already chasing down medical research option. considering the assistant physician license in Missouri wondering due you think this is a good idea and worth it?

GREAT video ‼️‼️‼️

Imagine give up your dreams because of a score or because you are IMG