Hello everyone,
I’m a high school student who has accepted an offer for the 5-year medical program at UCD in Ireland. I understand the challenges of matching back to the US or Canada as an IMG and want to make the most of my time in med school to improve my chances.
What steps should I take over the next five years to strengthen my residency application? Specifically:
I’d really appreciate any guidance from those who have gone through this process. Thanks in advance!
I’m a high school student who has accepted an offer for the 5-year medical program at UCD in Ireland. I understand the challenges of matching back to the US or Canada as an IMG and want to make the most of my time in med school to improve my chances.
What steps should I take over the next five years to strengthen my residency application? Specifically:
- Electives & Observerships: How many should I aim for? Should I focus on a specific specialty or keep it broad (e.g., FM/IM for better match chances)? When should I start planning them?
- Research & Publications: What type of research is most beneficial, and when should I begin?
- Exams (USMLE/MCCQE1, etc.): When should I start preparing and taking these?
- Other Considerations: Are there any other key steps I should take (e.g., networking, clinical experience, extracurriculars) to maximize my competitiveness?
I’d really appreciate any guidance from those who have gone through this process. Thanks in advance!
