Which is the best list for IMGs (residency criteria including)

There is much discussion about lists. This is usually a compilation of places which have a track record of being so called 'IMG friendly'. While on one hand it is good to know about the places where your application is going to be considered, there are some caveats that are inherent to these 'lists'. 

Ideally, the lists are supposed to be tailored to the applicant. This way the needs of the individual applicant are taken into consideration and by 'needs' I pretty much mean all of the points that go into the application. Remember, being and IMG and needing a visa is just ONE Of the many factors that shape your application. Only YOU know what you want and will seek it out. These days however, things have become so chaotic, that IMGs frequently opt for any position just to 'get a residency'. Don't sell yourself short. If you have good credentials, then take a little time out and exercise caution in the generic approach. Yes, you will get interviews from do-hickey places in NY and NJ where IMGs are dime-a-dozen, but you can do better. Study the programs, call up the places, invest in a good phone card or since most applicant IMGs are already in US (read my article - IMGs - Know Your Competition), they already have a cell phone, use it. Filter the places based on your likes and the apply. A word of caution though, don't be too critical and choosy apply broadly and wisely NOT indiscriminately. (check this out, How to effectively rank programs in ROL)

It is a ok to use commerical lists but remember using these lists in itself is not going to enhance your CV per say. The very best list is the one you compile yourself for your case. This is tedious but can have a big payoff. If you are short on time or dont want to go the extra mile, then invest in commercially available lists. Remember, there are hundred of others who are going to use the identical lists, so it kind of negates the competitive advantage. But, commercial lists have their use when you just have NO idea what you want or where you want to apply. I did not use any list when I applied and I am an old grad who matched in an excellent UNIVERSITY program with H1B visa sponsored and that lead me to get a solid FELLOWSHIP in the field of my choice.

So don't be a lemming and do what everyone is doing. Soon enough you will find yourself at a edge of a cliff, too late to stop. (*Because of their association with this odd behavior, lemming suicide is a frequently used metaphor in reference to people who go along unquestioningly with popular opinion, with potentially dangerous or fatal consequences, read more about Lemmings). If you are looking for a way to make your own list, here is a quick guide to making your own IMG friendly list.

How to fill ERAS common application form (CAF) and sample CAF

Often I see folks having difficulty with the CAF on ERAS. This is a relatively simple form and the most problems encountered are in areas like year of graduation, work experience, research experience or observerships etc. Here, I have posted a sample form to help folks who are struggling with the basics of the CAF. Goodluck!

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Letter of recommendation - 'To Waive' made simple

To Waive or not to waive?

Every year there are umpteen IMGs who have the question if it is correct to waive or not. This is including me, as until I started working on the letters of recommendation the word waive was relatively unknown. I remember, I even had to go to the Webster dictionary and thesaurus to make sure that I understand the meaning of the word before I assigned my life's crucial decision. The best-case scenario is when the office at ERAS receives the letter directly from the referee (person writing the letter) and you have waived the right to see the letter. 

ERAS will make no distinction, when the LOR is sent to them. They are just a middleman who is processing your application. The difference comes when the letters are scanned and then sent to the respective programs. There are four possible scenarios to consider:

letter sent directly - meaning the referee mails the letter to ERAS
Indirectly - meaning the letter gets back in your possession and you mail it in. 

1. Letter sent directly to ERAS - waived option checked = considered to be waived, contents highly regarded as unbiased and valued.

2. Letter sent directly - not waived = considered to be not waived, considered to be biased, less than ideal situation.

3. Letter sent indirectly - waived option checked = considered to be NOT waived, as there is no way for ERAS or program to ascertain that the secrecy of the letter is maintained. 

4. Letter sent indirectly - not waived = considered to be not waived, biased. Least favorable scenario.

So you can see, if you were in possession of your letter, then there is no way for ERAS to know if you are aware of the contents of the letter and thus is considered to be not waived. SO rather than take the letters in your possession in good faith given to you by the faculty, please direct their office to send it to the ERAS office along with the LOR cover letter submission form. 

You can send more than four letters but it is not necessary as it will NOT be more advantageous. Think of it as law of diminishing returns. Chose the referee who YOU think is going to be the BEST SPOKESMAN for you. In general, US LORS are better recognized than foreign LORs because of familiarity with the system. Titles etc. in your case better to have a good mix of both.

Good-luck.

Ten Commandments of a Stellar Personal Statement

1. Be honest, brief and to the point.

2. Revise, re-read, revise, have others read your essay and spend a sizable amount of time working on your personal statement.

3. Do not embellish your personal statement with things you have not achieved or done, it is easy to look things up and then your credibility will be in question.

4. Just as not all applicants are top three percentile in class, not all colleges in India or Canada or wherever rank in the top 3 or top 5 or top 10 in the country or continent for that matter. Don’t write it things that are incorrect.

5. Do write your own PS, do not copy - paste from online samples or others.

6. Avoid the 'Zebra effect', this is when you have copied and pasted stuff from other statements and it is obvious because the flow and style of the essay is intermittent and sporadic.

7. From the viewpoint of faculty, who has to read hundreds of similar essays, think long and hard as to how you can make your essay pop.

8. Point of personal statement is just that - it’s a statement of your personal thoughts and what makes you as you. Don’t rehash your CV in a PS.

9. Don’t be too modest in stating what you have achieved but at the same time do not lie about things you have not done.

10.  Be clear about your job responsibilities and role in externship or observership you did.