How can you as an IMG overcome your inevitable challenges and land residency in a specialty as competitive as internal medicine? Pakistani-born Dr. Fareeha Nasir approached the residency application process with determination and confidence, which ultimately led to her gaining success. Keep listening to find out her advice to help you do the same!
Dr. Nasir graduated from the Islamabad medical and dental college, Islamabad, Pakistan in 2019. She recently joined her medical residency in New York as of July 1st 2021.
When asked about the challenges she had to overcome along her US medical residency journey, Dr. Nasir highlighted the following:
- She did not have much guidance.
- She achieved average scores at the USMLE exams.
- She experienced a communication barrier and a need to adjust to the US medical education system.
- Since she required a visa, she encountered difficulties with regard to program requirements and limitations.
As such, Dr. Nasir advises IMGs who share similar challenges to:
- Just get into the system, regardless of how you have to do it. Getting one foot in is an integral step.
- Keep an open mind – It is not necessary to only match into university-based programs. Community programs can also produce internationally successful residents!
- Be humble and do not let your ego dictate your choices.
- Work hard and be consistent.
- Make your own name and create your own medical success story.
With regard to residency applications in particular, Dr. Nasir gives the following advice:
- Keep your application as short as possible.
- Ensure that your application is interesting and grabs the attention of program coordinators at first glance.
- Speak about common EMRs, locations, and other relevant information with your target program to set yourself apart.
- Consult with others who are experienced in the field.
- Take the hobby section seriously – briefly highlight unique hobbies to create conversation points and show positive aspects of your personality.
- Garner as much US clinical experience as possible to bolster your application.
As such, throughout her application story, Dr. Nasir:
- Applied to 150 programs in Internal Medicine.
- Called and emailed programs asking for requirements.
- Applied to some programs where she did not meet the cut off score.
- Scored 4 interviews.
- Stressed the importance of location since her family lived in Philadelphia.
- Sent letters of intent and got interviews out of it.
- Was mindful of the boundaries of the programs she applied to.
Dr. Nasir did all this under her mantra for success which reads:
“Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Mark 9:23
She is eager to help other IMGs along their own journeys. You can reach out to her via:
Listen to the full episode using:
Apple, Spotify & Google Podcasts.
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