How do you increase your chance of matching? No matter what
your stories are, some remedies apply like panacea. Below are a few that I
know, use accordingly to sooth your ailments. Side effect: potential heartache
from rejections. Therapeutic range is pretty limited so please monitor the
application deadlines closely.
- International Physician Observer Program, CCF
Applicant Profile: Physician Only
Application fee: 500 USD
Outcomes: Connections, LoRs
2. WHO Internship (Geneva)
Applicant Profile: Recent
graduate (not more than 6 months)
Application fee: Zero
Stipend: Yes, in ~1700 CHF
Outcomes: Enrich the content of
your residency interviews, Public Health and its aspirations sound really good
to the PD’s ears. You can apply to regional office as well, you will have more “hands
on” or “on site” experience but Geneva HQ has its glamor. They do stuffs like Cultural Night, various events organization, Intern videos/reports/photoshoot sessions that might be useful during residency interview. Weigh you pros & cons.
https://www.who.int/careers/internships/en/
3. PAHO Internship, Washington D.C.
Applicant Profile: Recent grad
PLUS the following
- is a
U.S. Citizen, or
- is a
U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or
- has
a valid visa with an Employment Authorization from United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or
- is
sponsored by PAHO with a G-4 visa.
- Foreign
Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status Participating in Curricular Practical
Training provide a valid OPT or CPT or,
- Foreign
Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status with the correct endorsement in the
I-20 by the university.
Application Fees: ZERO
Do they pay you? No.
https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?Itemid=4245&lang=en
4. St. Barbara Elective, CA
Applicant Profile: Student
Application Fees: Zero
Outcomes: LoRs, better chance of getting
into their residency (maybe)
5. NIH Elective
Applicant Profile: Student
Application Fees: ZERO
Outcomes: LoRs, but they don’t have
residency program
*** NIH has many other research based programs you can look
up depending on your professional background. They have 1 year research program
for US citizen, and post baccalaureate research program akin to master/PhD.***
6. University of Alabama Visiting Student Medical Elective
Applicant Profile: Student
Application fees: is nth compared
to the tuition fees of 5000 USD
Outcomes: LoRs and considered as
internal candidate for residency, maybe.
NOTES: When I was interviewing at my current matched hospital, I met another candidate who did this elective. The costs can run up to $6000 per month, but he said that he was getting real hands on experiences and airport transports etc, generally positive feedback. That's all I garnered.
7 7. Pre-Residency Training Programs (UAB)
Applicant Profile: IMG
Application fees: this must be a
conscious omission from their side, email them please.
If you don't feel that you are a strong candidate for this year match, maybe you might want to take an extra year off by joining this program, boost up your credential and apply next cycle as a strong candidate.
