Journey to USMLE

and US Residency

Dr. Tabby Fayyaz & Dedicated Advisers

Resiyay Residency Services
Website
Instagram
 Journey to US Residency
Seminar 2023

Additional session on LORs on Feb 18th

Proud to collaborate with:

● NovaCards.AI

AI-Based Free App for Automating Anki Cards

IG: https://www.instagram.com/novacards.ai/

● Excemy Medical

Free Usmle Steps and clinical sessions resources

IG: https://www.instagram.com/excemymedical/
Register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIod-6sqTIjEtwj
ZCeZGQZ0P2_S1NEudAi4
 About Resiyay Adding “yay” to residency application

Our Mission and Vision

My name is Tabbassum (Tabby) Fayyaz. I completed my premed education in Dallas TX. I am an AMG turned IMG due to financial
difficulties. I had to overcome an extended knowledge gap and adjust to the challenges of being an IMG. My story is one of obstacles
and challenges just like most of us here. I know how difficult it is to a hardworking individual who is simply trying to move forward.

Resiyay was created in September 2022 to support US residency applicants through the 2023 Match Cycle. Since then, our team has
grown and now includes 2100+ residency applicants.

We are committed to providing valuable and free US Mock residency interviews and resources. We aim to provide a healthy
environment that encourages discussion, support and advice through the US Residency process.

We are all here to learn from each other. The focus is to guide others where we once sought guidance and struggled to find it. I would
love for everyone to use this platform and chat groups as support in this grueling and ultimately rewarding process. I’m grateful for the
help I have received and look forward to connecting with more bright minds.

Our Website

Follow updates on Instagram

Helpful Websites
Free Courses

Coursera

Introduction to Social Determinants of Health

Medical Terminology

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students

Duolingo

Learn a second language - Spanish

Grammarly

Free grammar and spell check

Time Management

Notion Organize with lists, templates, etc

Pomodoro Technique
Helpful Social Media
Resiyay
Website
Instagram
Twitter
Active Chat
WhatsApp Main Group
WhatsApp Resiyay 4.0
Discord
Inside The Match
The IMG Journey
 Contents

Helpful Websites: 4-5 Residency Application - 32–47

Professional Profiles: 6 - 7 ● AAMC Guidelines

● Necessary Documentation
● ECFMG Certificate
Professionalism in Medicine: 8 - 9
● LOR
● Personal Statement
Scholarships: 10 ● ERAS Application
● Professional Picture
Cost of USMLE Journey: 12 ● NRMP Registration

USMLE Steps 1-3 Resources: 13–15 Residency Application Timeline: 37

Research Opportunities: 16 - 23 Residency Interview Prep Tips

US Clinical Experience - 24–31 Letter of Intent

Rank Order List

SOAP
Professional Profile
Platforms
● LinkedIn
● Google Scholar
● Linktree
● Twitter
 Professionalism: Written

Written interaction - Email

● Title Appropriately
● Begin with a greeting
○ “Dear Dr/Mr/Ms.”
● Remain concise and coherent
● Attach professional profile
● Close off with greeting
○ “Regards”
○ More Options: EngVid

Written interaction - Text

● Keep it to one text
● Use spaces if necessary
Professionalism: Verbal
Conversational English

Verbal interaction

● Address each individual appropriately

● Allow the speaker to complete their thought
● Practice
○ EngVid
○ Podcasts: NPR
○ Movies
○ More information: Preply
Scholarships

● Master’s
○ Fulbright Scholarship https://us.fulbrightonline.org

● More Scholarship opportunities coming soon

USMLE STEPS
 USMLE Journey - Where to Start and Cost

Where to Start Cost 2022

● NBME: Step 1 and 2 ● Step 1

○ UW – $439 (6 months)
○ Register for free account ○ First Aid Step 1 CK
○ Official account for USMLE information ○ Exam – $985 + location cost/eligibility changes/rescheduling
○ NBME practice exams - $60
● FSMB: Step 3 ● Step 2
○ Official account for USMLE Step 3 ○ UW – $439 (6 months)
● Support Groups ○ First Aid Step 2 CK
○ Exam – $985 + location cost/eligibility changes/rescheduling
○ Resiyay Residency Live WhatsApp chat ○ NBME CMS forms $20 (with explanation)
○ F-1 Doctors: peer-to-peer mentorship platform for ○ NBME practice exams $60
international applicants to US health professional schools ● Step 3
(M.D, D.O., Dental school) as well as US residency programs ○ UW – $449 (6 months)
○ Exam – $915 +location cost/ eligibility changes/rescheduling
○ APPNA YPC Group: Connect with mentors for advice,
rotations information
Total: $4400 or ~990,000 Pk rupees
● Time management “listed in Helpful links”
● Study Groups
 USMLE Step 1

Free Resources
General Advice
● Free 120
● Best Time to Take: ○ Objectives and Free 120 Pdf
○ Register before preparation ○ Free 120 Explanation: Ben White
● Podcasts
○ Plan to take prior to graduation ○ Divine Intervention Podcasts
● Commit to limited resources and increase ■ Podcasts & Transcript
reviews Avoid resource hoarding ● Biostats: Randy Neil, Step-Prep Curriculum
● Spaced Repetition: Anki
● Annotate in First Aid Step 1
Paid Resources
Registration information
● First Aid Step 1
● NBME: Overall information ● UWorld
● NBME: Registration ● Pathoma
● Sketchy Micro
● Boards and Beyond
● NBME Assessments
 USMLE Step 2 CK
Free Resources

● Sample Study Plan

● Objectives and Free 120 pdf
General Advice ● Step-prep
○ Free 120 explanations
● Best Time to Take: ○ CMS form explanations
○ Register before preparation ○ CCSSA form explanations (Step 2 CK assessments)
○ Plan to take prior to graduation or during ● NBME vocab/RF/Screening/Vaccinations sheet
internship (housejob) year ● Podcasts
○ Divine Intervention Podcasts
● Commit to limited resources and increase ■ Podcasts & Transcript
reviews Avoid resource hoarding ● Biostats: Randy Neil, Step-Prep Curriculum
● Annotate in Notes* ● Ethics: Amboss articles, FA Step 1 Pages
● Different highlight colors ● Spaced Repetition: Anki

Registration information Paid Resources

● UWorld
● NBME: Overall information
● Amboss* (Ethics, more information on articles)
● NBME: Registration ● Pathoma
● Sketchy Micro
● NBME Assessments (CMS forms, CCSSA forms)
USMLE Step 3
Registration Information:

ECFMG Certification

FSMB

Free Resources Paid Resources

● CCS Cases ● UWorld

○ Start from 6 ccs case samples on FSMB website ● Amboss Ethics articles
○ NBME CCS Cases ● Amboss Biostats
● Free 137 ● Mksap
○ Free Explanation: Ben White
● Equations
● Orders
● NBME vocab/RF/Screening/Vaccinations sheet
● Podcasts
○ Divine Intervention Podcasts: Podcasts & Transcript
● Biostats/Drug ads: Randy Neil, Step-Prep Curriculum
● Spaced Repetition: Anki
RESEARCH
Research

Start Early

During School

● Actively seek research opportunities during school

● Engage faculty/attendings in case reports

Post Graduation

● Research Assistant position (in USA)

○ Email PDs
○ Use LinkedIn to connect
○ Common Institutions: Mayo Clinic, Harvard, Cleveland Clinic

Research Opportunities Resource List

 Research Advice - 3 Methods of Approaching Research Faculty
Advice from Dr. Rao, Dr. Nadeem and Dr. Sahajpal

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10HV-91IlkeqOrTEPW3Dl_6YaZ3zs9mBPo_tNsO5uyC4/edit?usp=sharing

1. Through contacts
a. Request your seniors to recommend you to the people with whom they worked.
2. Personalized emails
a. All the major universities like Harvard, Hopkins, Baylor, Mayo, UPMC, MD Anderson
have specific website domains dedicated to research, and you can easily find research
faculty directories by simply googling the institute's name with the term 'Directory'.
b. Personalized emails are most effective after the contacts but it takes a lot of time.
3. Write a generic email with your intro and research interests and send it to all the research faculty of
the major universities.
a. You can cover more people through this but it is less effective as faculty members get a
lot of emails and they might ignore the generic email.
 Research: Canadian Applicants

1. Start early give yourself time because finding a research position takes time especially if you require
sponsorship.
2. I emailed and applied to about like 100-150 positions through Linkedin and personalized emails
a. Heard back from a few places in the US
3. Many Canadians don’t know this but they don’t need J1 sponsorship for research.
a. All you need is the employment letter and the border gives you a TN visa which is
significantly easier for employers
4. Paid positions LinkedIn or even Twitter
5. Unpaid - personalized emails
 Research: Thorough Explanation

Paid positions
1. Specialty directed search in LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor or a simple google search
2. You might find some posted on social media like Twitter, Instagram or speciality specific sites
a. Follow your speciality specific programs. Useful handles: @IMGstories, @MedTwitter
3. If you are interested in a specific program, then you can search for research positions titled
"Researcher I/II" based on the amount of research experience you have.
a. You will find it under careers in the program websites or at times, in LinkedIn.
4. While applying, you will need your CV, cover letter and transcripts/board scores.
a. There may be other specific individual requirements.
 Research

Unpaid positions
1. You can email individual programs. I would start by writing to the research director/APD/PD
2. Email is always preferred over a phone call
3. Email: You would want to include a brief introduction about yourself, your interests in the field, your
eventual goal of joining a residency program and the sub-specialties that you are interested to do
research in. Attach your CV.
4. Be prepared for an interview if they consider you
5. You may be able to request for some pay after a few months of research and showcasing yourself,
weighing risks and assessing body language. Be prepared for a "no" as an answer.
6. Call friends or contacts if you did not have luck with the other options
 Research: Useful Advice

1. Start looking for positions well in advance

2. Don’t hesitate to ask your job responsibilities, pay and any specific questions you have, well in advance
3. Always be on time, be cordial with faculty and admin and dress professionally
4. Be ready to accept and complete small tasks to help anyone doing research. For eg, collecting small samples and
conducting surveys etc. for research! Small gestures to help go a long way in building relationships and credibility
5. Be vocal about your understanding about your research topic and the tasks that you have done earlier. But state
clearly that you are eager to learn. Honesty is greatly honored.
6. Once you are well settled, you can request if you can shadow in the clinics or observe procedures
7. Work permit would be necessary. If not you could try for J 1 exchange visa/J1 research scholar
8. Lastly, a research year is like an extended interview. So, be your best and most genuine self, always do your
homework and stay curious. Good luck!
Research Fellowship
1 year commitment
Use Cover letter
Speciality specific
More information coming
US CLINICAL
ROTATIONS
Types of USCE
United States Clinical Experience

Potential Requirements: Step 1

Types of USCE:

1. Elective (Any clinical rotations completed in the US)

2. Sub-internships (Sub-I)

3. Telerotation

Experiences not considered USCE:

1. Observerships/Shadowing *Observership may allow applicants to gain hands on experience

2. Volunteer Experiences

3. Research Experiences

4. Experiences in similar medical environments (outside of US)

 US Clinical Experiences - Sources

● Electives in US during Medical School

● AMA
https://www.ama-assn.org/education/international-medical-education/observership-program-listings-international-medical

● Non-VSLO rotations – Virtual Rotations

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/114aKFT7lC5JabZN0r1xCmcS3BsqCfa04kBA24wmI0nk/edit#gid=0

● Few Paid Possibilities USCE:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NI9Uy-w6gLeONkl0-lfIeY5GMr2tguGru9JP1mLZ8uY/edit?u
sp=sharing

● Posts on social media platforms

○ The IMG Journey
○ F-1 Doctors
○ APPNA YPC Group
● Email PDs

Crucial for US Residency application, focus on obtaining experience in speciality of interest

USCE Advice
From a dedicated applicant

For electives, I followed these tweets (all links shared)

https://twitter.com/rahulrangan98/status/1578722126177062912?t=Q-bjBjUzlibFLRER-cQp
JQ&s=19

For observerships, email faculty members and graduate medical education (gme) coordinators.
Ask them politely if they have spots and let them know the desired dates.
Nice and supportive people will always respond.

I used this email template and personalize it:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTaSkLDhwDz/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
 USCE Living Expenses

Information collected from Resiyay

Residency Whatsapp Groups
US Clinical Experiences - Patient Presentation

SOAP Note Format

Detailed information
 Subjective

For pain
1. OPD (onset progress duration)
2. LIQRAAA (location intensity quality, radiation, aggravating, alleviating, associated symptoms) Summarize findings before physical examination
For vomiting/diarrhea
1. Vomiting, Diarrhea, Bleeding stools- OPD, number of times, blood tinged, associated with pain. Ask if patient wants to add anything you may have missed
For Histories This covers errors or questions that a student might have
1. PAMHUGSFOSS
a. Past history
forgotten and it shows care and compassion
b. Allergies (to food and drugs, seasonal)
c. Medications (Rx, OTC, supplements)
d. Hospitalization/trauma Patient notes order
e. Genitourinary
f. Sleep HPI: History of Present Illness OPD
g. Family history
h. Occupation and obstetrics history
ROS: Review of Symptoms LIQRAA
i. OBGYN HISTORY FOR ALL WOMEN <60yo! Histories: PAMHUGSFOSS
1. Last menstrual period, menarche age, history of papps smear, number of
pads on a heavy bleeding day
i. Social history- alcohol recreational drugs tobacco
i. Do you use tobacco
ii. Do you consume alcohol
iii. Do you use recreational (not illicit) drugs
j. Sexual history
i. If currently sexually active
ii. Number of partners in last year
iii. Gender of partners
iv. Protection used by either member
v. STI testing and if (+) STI history
vi. Note: Transitional statement (I will be asking some personal questions, this
information is confidential) plus reassurance before social/sexual histroy (do not just
jump into social and sexual history),
 Objective: Physical Exam
Physical exam
1. Wash hands before physical
2. Always palpate from non-tender side first
3. Express apology if causing pain
4. Touch feet for pulses/tests at the end (do not blindly make a patient note of pedal pulses or
radial pulse without touching!!
5. Try to give impression/counsel/labs after physical exam without using a notepad
6. Preferably sit next to the patient at 45 degrees on their right side.

For all cases:

1. HEENT- pallor icterus cyanosis clubbing lymphadenopathy and pulses.

After HPI and Physical Exam

1. Counsel (Diet, Sexual activity, Alcohol, Tobacco and Recreational drugs)
US RESIDENCY
APPLICATION
Email Communication

● Consider allocating a unique email address to all residency-related correspondence

○ MyERAS
○ NRMP
○ Residency Programs

● Residency Related Communication

○ Interview notification
○ Letter of Interest
○ Post-Interview Communication
○ Letter of Intent
 Residency Application

Necessary documentation Cost 2022 ($)

USMLE Transcript - Step 1 & 2 CK* Transcript $80
Graduation certificate
ECFMG Certificate $160*
ECFMG certificate*
PS - Editing $60-$160
MSPE: Medical student performance evaluation
ERAS Application* $4K-10K
LOR
Picture $100
Personal Statement
OET $450
Documents and ERAS Application
ERAS Fees Calculator
Professional Picture

OET Total: $5K-11K

~1130,000 –2500,000 Pk rupees

ECFMG I AAMC I NRMP

ECFMG: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

● Used for: Step 1 and 2 registration for Foreign Medical Graduates and ECFMG Certification

Steps: Apply for ECFMG/USMLE ID number

● Make Account
● Complete ECFMG Certification application
● Complete and notarize the Certification of Identification Form 186
● Apply for Steps
● Verify your medical school status either online or on paper with the Certification Statement Form 183
● Submit
● Wait for Scheduling Permit
○ Schedule through Prometric (instructions available on permit)

Fees information
ECFMG I AAMC I NRMP

AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges

● AAMC Tools and Worksheets for Applicants

● Application Worksheet
● Residency User Guide
● Checklist
● MyERAS
● Supplemental ERAS

NRMP: National Resident Matching Program

● Registration for TheMatch

● Participate in Rank Order List
Residency Application
Timeline
Participating Residency Specialities More Information
Speciality Competitiveness

Coming soon
Different Types of Programs

Categorical

Prelim/Advanced

Transitional

When applying, keep in mind same program may offer different types of tracks
Factors to Consider when selecting Programs

● Personal networking/connections
● Visa sponsorship
● Location
● Hospital vs Community
○ Fellowship
○ Primary Care
Supplemental Application
A short and free supplemental ERAS application
with questions designed to showcase applicants'
previous experiences and interests. Applicants will
be asked to provide:

● Geographic information (by region and by

urban/rural setting)
● Information about their most meaningful
work, volunteer or research experiences;
and
● Program signals

List of participating specialties

Application Guide and additional resources

New Changes for Match 2024 (left)

Graduation and ECFMG Certification

Graduation

ECFMG Certificate

● Confirm that your school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and that students and graduates
from your school are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification
● Visit World Directory of Medical Schools
Medical School Transcript and MSPE

Medical School Transcript

IMGs Only: IMG residency applicants must indicate in MyERAS if they themselves or their medical school will provide a
MS Transcript to the ERAS Documents office at ECFMG. Instructions for submission can be found here:
https://www.ecfmg.org/eras/applicants-documents-index.html

MSPE

IMGs Only: IMG residency applicants must indicate in MyERAS if they themselves or their medical school will provide a
MSPE to the ERAS Documents office at the ECFMG. Instructions for submission can be found here:
https://www.ecfmg.org/eras/applicants-documents-index.html.
LOR
Requesting an LOR

Potential documentation Requested by LOR writers

● Personal Statement
● CV

Requesting LOR
● When to Request
○ Plan 3-4 months prior to submission (Ideally in June)
○ Address LOR request at the beginning of a rotation
● How to Request
○ Request via professional email
● Reminders
○ Send appropriate reminders
● How to address delays
○ Every program has a unique deadline for application submission
○ Applicant may update programs about LOR submission if submitted after deadline via email
 LOR Tips

● Address LOR to Program Director or Concerned Party

● AAMC ID
○ Confirm AAMC ID number is on the letter
● Spelling
○ Confirm spelling and proper gender
● Signature
○ Signed letter (Sign a printed copy and scan or add an image of signature to the letter)
● Letterhead
○ Put the letter on your official practice/institution letterhead. If you do not have
letterhead, be sure to include your current contact information
● PDF Size
○ PDF file size cannot exceed 1 MB
○ Dimensions 8.1 x 11 inches
○ File cannot be encrypted or password protected
 Uploading LOR to MyERAS
When to request: 3-4 months prior to submission (Ideally in June)

LOR: Personal LOR with unique applicant attributes mentioned> Vague LOR from University tile

Option to Waive rights to view letter or Not waive rights to view letter post-submission

LoRs must be uploaded through the ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal (LoRP) by the LoR Author. It is the
applicant’s responsibility to follow up with LoR Authors regarding LoRs.

● Creating LoR Entries - You must create a LoR entry for each LoR you intend to use during the application season.
● Confirming LoR Entries - You must confirm a LoR entry before an associated Letter ID can be generated.
● Uploading LoRs - The Letter ID contained in the LoR Request form must be used to upload the associated LoR
through the Letter of Recommendation Portal (LoRP).
● LOR cannot be re-assigned once it is assigned to a program on MyERAS
● Resending New Scores - Applicants must take action in MyERAS to resend USMLE scores to programs previously
designated to receive them.
 Components of
a Strong LOR

1. Evaluation of Student’s
strengths (preferably from
working directly)
2. Evaluation of how the student
will perform as a future
resident
3. Qualities that may distinguish
student from others
LOR Examples
Strong Letter Outline
Strong Letter Example
Weak Letter Example
Personal Statement

The personal statement may be used to personalize the application to a specific program or to different specialties. There is
not a limit to how many personal statements you may create; however, you may only assign one (1) for each program. Confirm
assigned PS is appropriate for speciality

Note: There are a number of websites that provide examples of Personal Statements. Do not copy any information from these sites and
use them in your Personal Statements without giving credit to the author. This is considered plagiarism. See the ERAS Investigation
Policy

Special Note About Formatting

● Personal Statements must be created in plain text formatting. HTML and other special text formatting, such as bold,
italics, underline, text color, and alignment, are not allowed. Personal statements created outside of MyERAS should
be done in a plain text word processing application such as Notepad (for Windows users) or Text Edit (for Mac Users)
to ensure text stays as clean as possible.
Professional Picture

AAMC Guidelines

A photo file should not exceed these requirements:

● Dimensions: 2.5 in. x 3.5 in.

● Resolution: 150dpi
● File Size: 150kb
Documents and MyERAS Application

Necessary Documents

CV

● Prepare prior to application for easier transfer to ERAS format

● Note start dates, end dates, primary role/tasks

Residency Program Search Engines

● Be cautious with paid services

● Free Search Engines
○ Residency Explorer
○ Freida
Residency Interviews and Letters of Interest
Experience

Research

Volunteer

Clinical
Mock Interviews: Free Group Mock Sessions

● Interact with applicants from around the globe

● Become comfortable delivering your practice interview answers
● Connect with applicants on free chat groups with Advisers
Mock Interviews: Dedicated

● Dedicated interview with standardized questions

● Focused and personalized responses
● Formal feedback on presentation, interview skills and verbal and nonverbal
communication
● Sessions available with Dr. Tabby Fayyaz, Dr. Ahmed Chaudhary, Dr. Abbass
Farooqui
Post Interview Thank You Note
Letter of Intent

A letter of intent is an expression of intent from an individual who has interviewed at a particular
program that they will be ranking the program #1 on their rank list.

The letter serves as a notification to the program and program directors that the student is excited to
match at the program for their specialty training.
 Letter of Intent

Contents When to send

The point of the letter is to summarize your interest and
application

Add credentials at the end:

Name:
AAMC ID:
USMLE ID:
Medical school:
Year of graduation:

USMLE Step 1: (First attempt)

USMLE Step 2 CK: (first attempt)
USMLE STEP 2 CS: Passed, first attempt
ECFMG CERTIFIED: Yes
US Clinical Experience: 72 weeks
 Rank Order List

Factors important for ranking programs Match 2023 important deadlines

● Algorithm favors the applicant https://www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/rank-your-p

● Location rograms-main/
● Culture
● Curriculum https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20
22-MRM-Program-Checklist-r1.pdf

Certify List 10 days prior to final submission date

 SOAP: The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program
NRMP registration and participation in Main Match required

Eligibility: Unmatched in Main Match (regardless of visa status)

Sponsored by NRMP

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program

Number of Programs you may apply to: 45 programs
(“SOAP”) provides a uniform system for programs to
offer unfilled positions to eligible unmatched or partially Eligible Programs: Visible on NRMP
matched applicants through a series of offer rounds
during Match Week
Personalized information: Personal Statement, LOR (either same as
MyERAS or new letters) *May apply to any speciality but attach material
● More information
appropriate to speciality
● Explanation by Dr. Taha Ataya, PGY2 Neurology
(Link in Google Drive under Session Recordings)

Correspondence with Programs: Usually offered via phone call from

program starting Match Week Tuesday 8am

**May contact Program directly only after round 4 of SOAP match

concludes on Thursday 8pm of Match Week
Questions

For further inquiries, please reach us at [email protected]