Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of using IMG-Friendly Medical Residency Program lists?

Your IMGPrep residency program lists will enable you to quickly and efficiently identify all of the programs for which you are most competitive given your chosen specialties. This prevents your wasting time and money by applying to programs for which you are not competitive. Focusing on your competitive programs will allow you to better tailor your applications and increase their overall success rate.

In addition, IMGPrep provides you with the revolutionary “Smart Filter” feature, which will cross-check your individual statistics against our database of thousands of programs. You can also email programs directly from your program lists to follow up with any questions you may have for specific programs.

What information will be included in my program lists?

Your IMGPrep residency program lists will provide you with both qualitative and quantitative data that will help you better understand your suitability for each program.

For each program, you will be provided with basic requirements:

• Scores;
• Visa Requirements;
• Year of Graduation;
• and U.S. Clinical Experience (“USCE”) requirements.

In addition, our comprehensive lists will also provide you with information on:

• Current residents;
• The percentage of IMGs in the program; the breakdown between the Caribbean and non-Caribbean Graduates
• Where the current residents attended medical school;
• If any current residents attend your medical school;
• If any current residents attended medical school in the same country as your medical school; and
• U.S. Clinical Experience (“USCE”):  An explanation of what the program requires or accepts as U.S. Clinical Experience and a filter to sort those programs that “require” and those programs that “prefer” USCE.
• Year of Graduation Analysis: Your list will identify those programs that “require” a specific cutoff date for graduation and those programs that “prefer” a specific date cutoff. This will help you identify the programs you qualify for, even if your graduation date is longer than their “preferred” cutoff date. This is especially important for any applicants that are not recent graduates.
• Additional Comments: You will have access to an updated comment section that will give you a synopsis of the program.

How do Medical Residency Lists save applicants money?

ERAS will charge you a fee for every program you will apply to. The more programs you apply to, the more expensive it gets. Why waste time and money applying to programs you don’t qualify for?

• Example 2: 20 Internal Medicine programs [$99.00 + (10 X $19.00)] + 10 Family Medicine programs [$99.00] = $388
• Example 3: 23 Psychiatry programs [$99.00 + (10 X $19.00) + (3 X $23.00)] + 7 Radiology programs [$99.00] = $457
• Example 4: 12 General Surgery programs [$99.00 + (2 X $19.00)] + 10 Emergency Medicine [$99.00] + 8 Family Medicine programs [$99.00] = $335

According to the ERAS Fee chart, if you apply to 100 Internal Medicine residency programs and 50 Family Medicine residency programs, you will need to be prepared to pay $3,200.00! That isn’t cheap. That is why it is so essential for you to apply to only those specific programs for which you are considered the best fit. Your IMGPrep residency program list will provide you with the data and analytical tools to do so.

Am I better off researching each residency program or using an IMGPrep Residency Program List?

There is no need for you to spend days online sorting through every individual program’s requirements to identify those programs you should apply to. Your IMGPrep residency program list will provide you with far more information than you could readily obtain in a customizable format. This saves you both time and money.

Consider the following scenario:

You are interested in applying to Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Residency programs. You need to determine which Medical Residency Programs you should apply to. There are 557 Internal Medicine and 685 Family Medicine Residency Programs in the U.S.

Like most residency applicants, you don’t have the time (or the patience) to research dozens, let alone hundreds, of individual programs.

That’s why IMGPrep’s medical residency lists are so important. Our team spends hundreds of hours each year researching and updating more than 3,500 programs in nearly 40 specialties to build the most complete database in existence. We’ve already done the work for you, so you can focus your limited time on more important things, like identifying best-fit programs and customizing your applications.

Are there IMG-friendly program lists in every specialty?

Over the last decade, IMGPrep has continually refined and updated its proprietary residency program list database. It is currently the most extensive search engine for IMG-friendly residency programs and covers nearly 40 specialties. IMGPrep’s program lists will provide you with the most detailed examination of residency programs available, helping you save time and money during your application process.

What is IMGPrep’s refund policy?

As each medical residency program list is customized to individual qualifications, no changes can be made after payment. As a result, there are no refunds or cancellations. Please be sure that the information submitted is accurate prior to purchasing a customized Medical Residency Program list.

If you have any questions or concerns about using IMGPrep’s Medical Residency Program list database, please contact us directly PRIOR to making a purchase. A team member will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

For more information about choosing IMG Friendly Programs, check out the IMG Prep articles:

Five Year Analysis IMG Residency Match Statistics for 2017-2021

The USMLE Step 1 Exam Goes to Pass/Fail Starting January 26, 2022: What this means for IMGs

Residency Program Requirements

Why Location Matters: The Top 10 IMG Friendly States in the US.

See what residency programs you qualify for using IMGPrep’s Residency Programs List!

Why would I need a CV if program directors have already seen my CAF?

When you present an interviewer with your CV, you’re giving him an easy way to reference your unique background and qualifications. He won’t have to strain his memory to remember obscure details from your CAF; all the information he needs is at his fingertips! When you arrive for your interview, you must be prepared to present a professional, up-to-date copy of your CV, printed on the appropriate paper. A well-crafted CV allows you another opportunity to impress a potential employer with your proficiency and fluency in English. A poorly-written or sloppy CV may convince a program director that you do not have the professionalism it takes to succeed in a U.S. residency program.

How do your writers present my information better than I myself would?

Our expert writers will help you determine prioritize which information belongs on your CV. We’ll help you figure out what to list and when to list it; we’ll help you showcase your medical expertise without allowing your CV to become overly clinical. We’ll also format your CV with a uniquely designed letterhead that you can use on all of your official communication; this will reinforce your image as a polished and a professional candidate.

How does the writing process work?

After purchasing our CV package, you will receive a detailed questionnaire with questions regarding your schooling, experience, and qualifications. Once you have completely filled out the questionnaire, your writer will create a CV that showcases your achievements and highlights your experience. You will receive your CV within 2-4 business days of submitting the questionnaire; you have another 2 business days to request changes.

When do I need a CV?

You should present each of your interviewers with a copy of your CV: remember to print it on high-quality paper! Also, when you mail in thank you letters after an interview, include a copy of your CV; this will help a busy program director put a face to your letter.

What happens when I upload my draft personal statement?

As soon as you have uploaded a statement to your profile, you will be assigned a writer. This writer will work with you on all of your statements and help you polish and perfect them. Shortly after the writer accepts your statement, you will receive an email where the writer will ask you to make some additional clarifications or to elaborate on specific areas. After you provide the writer with the information he has asked for, he’ll work on incorporating that information into your personal statement. Following his revisions and edits, you will get a chance to review the personal statement again, suggesting any final changes.  The writer will then do a final revision, polishing the personal statement and getting it ready for submission.

I am applying to two specialties, do I need two different personal statements?

Yes, we recommend that you develop different personal statements that are tailored to each specialty, and speak to your unique qualifications and particular interest in that specialty.

Can’t you just write a personal statement for me?

No. That would be unethical, and ultimately would do your application a disservice. Nobody knows your story better than you, and an original personal statement that tells your story, will help present yourself to the residency program. We do not edit statements that are less than 650 words long, and we can only work with the material you send us. You need to tell us about your experiences and feelings, and we’ll try to help you present the material in a clear and professional manner.

How many revisions will you do?

Our writers will work closely with you to develop and refine your personal statement, and will make two revisions.

How long should the personal statement be?

Ideally, personal statements should be one page long. Under certain circumstances you can write a longer personal statement, however personal statements should never exceed two pages.

How much time should I take to write a personal statement?

We recommend that a personal statement is not written in one sitting. Give yourself some time to really consider what you want to say and then write a draft. Step away from the draft and return to it later with a fresh perspective. You might think of something you want to include that you didn’t. Keep doing this until you have a personal statement you are satisfied with, you can then submit to our writers.

How much time does it take for you to edit a personal statement?

We want you to take full advantage of the opportunities that your personal statement offers, and that will take time. Ideally it will take between five and seven days to complete your personal statement. You do have an option to purchase a “rush” personal statement that can be completed in as little as three days.

I don’t live in Washington, D.C. How can I participate in live Interview Prep?

Medical Residency Interview Prep is done live and one-on-one, using utilizing popular online software. As long as you have an internet connection, you can participate in live interview prep training. This is because we have found that your body language and how you interact with an interviewer is as important as how you answer interview questions.

I purchased five hours of Interview Prep can I do this in one day?

Medical Residency Interview Prep is a process that cannot be completed in one day. We break your sessions into one-hour blocks over a period of time. This allows us to not only assess you and provide you feedback, but it affords you time to practice how you answer questions before the next prep session. Over a period of time as you prepare, we will also assign articles for you to read and homework. This method enables us to evaluate your interview preparation progress, while giving you time for self-improvement.

I work during the day. Can I participate in Interview Prep in the evenings?

We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a convenient time to conduct Medical Residency Interview Prep.

Do you do group interviews?

Our philosophy is to work one-on-one with an applicant, as no two applicants are the same. We want your answers to interview questions to be specific and reflective of your personal experience and application. If, however, we feel that there is a specific reason for you to participate in a group interview, we may arrange a session.

When should I purchase and schedule my first session?

When you schedule your first interview, you should already have decided on your specialty, and know what program you will be interviewing with. Our Medical Residency Interview Prep includes, but goes beyond preparing you to answer general interview questions. We review the profile and objective statements at the specific programs where you will be interviewing. We tailor the training for that specific program, while ensuring that you understand how the training will help you with all your interviews, as the techniques for answering interview questions are adaptable.

Are there any discounts?

After you complete your Interview Preparation and you are confident in our services, you are eligible to participate in our referral program. For every applicant you refer that signs up, you will receive a credit equivalent to the cost of 1-hour of Medical Residency Interview Prep.