Match Into Your Dream Residency
1-on-1 mentorship from physicians who’ve been where you are — and matched.
Top programs our students match at
About IMGMatch
IMGMatch is a mentoring and consulting platform created for international medical graduates, by international medical graduates. Matching into a U.S. residency as an IMG is challenging – from acing USMLE exams and securing clinical experience to crafting the perfect application – and our founders know this first-hand. We started IMGMatch to provide the guidance we wished we had, delivering personalized support to help IMGs navigate the complex residency process with confidence and success.
Our mission is simple:
Empower every qualified IMG to achieve their dream residency through expert mentorship, comprehensive resources, and a community that truly understands the journey.
Successful Match Story
Your Roadmap to Medical Success in the United States
Personal Guidance
Get matched with experienced mentors who’ve helped hundreds succeed.
Complete Course Library
Access our extensive collection of application guides and courses.
Specialist Network
Connect with admission specialists for personalized assistance
Progress Management
Track your journey with our gamified progress system.
Flexible Membership Plans Designed for Your Success
We offer flexible, transparent pricing to accommodate different needs and budgets. Unlike many services that require a large upfront payment, IMGMatch provides options so you can choose the level of support that’s right for you.
Single Fee
$99
Limited time offer
FEATURES
- Taster Video Courses (Limited)
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
- Opportunity to purchase group courses
- 15 minutes consult with a mentor
Recommendation
Full Plan
$599
Per Month
FEATURES
- Full access to all video courses
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
-
Weekly meeting with your Mentor
Learn More - U.S. clinical experience guidance
- 24/7 Q&A support
Advanced Plan
$1,199
Per Month
FEATURES
- Full access to all video courses
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
-
Bi-Weekly+ meeting with your Mentor
Learn More - U.S. clinical experience guidance
- 24/7 Q&A support
Single Fee
$99
Limited time offer
FEATURES
- Taster Video Courses (Limited)
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
- Opportunity to purchase group courses
- 15 minutes consult with a mentor
Recommendation
Full Plan
$599
Per Month
FEATURES
- Full access to all video courses
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
-
Weekly meeting with your Mentor
Learn More - U.S. clinical experience guidance
- 24/7 Q&A support
Advanced Plan
$1,199
Per Month
FEATURES
- Full access to all video courses
- Access to IMGMatch Community & Forum
-
Bi-Weekly+ meeting with your Mentor
Learn More - U.S. clinical experience guidance
- 24/7 Q&A support
Stories
Aaron C.P. Cheuk
Anesthesiology
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston
Zak Ahmed
Internal Medicine
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Fanru Shen
General Surgery
University of Minnesota
Sujata
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Integrated)
University of Minnesota
Gabriela Piazza Sassi
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Integrated)
University of Minnesota
RE
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Integrated)
University of Minnesota
Your Questions, Answered
We understand you may have a lot of questions. The residency process is complex, and choosing a mentoring service is a big decision. Below we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we get from international medical graduates. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us – we’re always here to help!
What makes IMGMatch different from other residency consulting services or list providers?
The key difference is personalized mentorship by successful IMGs and the comprehensive nature of our support. Many other services are either very expensive coaching packages or subscription databases that only give you program lists. For example, some premium consulting packages charge $7,000 to $15,000+ for a full cycle, often with advisors who may not be IMGs or without including exam prep. On the other end, you have tools like Match-a-Resident which might sell you a list of IMG-friendly programs for ~$79, but that doesn’t help with your actual application content or interviews. IMGMatch bridges that gap. We offer affordable, flexible plans (starting a few hundred dollars) that still give you direct one-on-one mentorship. Our mentors are all IMGs who understand the nuances of the process, unlike some services that might use current med students or PhDs who haven’t been through residency match as an IMG. Plus, we cover everything under one roof – strategy, USMLE tutoring, application editing, interview coaching, and even help with securing clinical experience. We’re essentially the most credible and comprehensive service out there because we combine the expertise of a big firm with the empathy and firsthand knowledge of mentors who have succeeded as IMGs. And we have results to back it up – our clients’ match rate and satisfaction are outstanding (we’re happy to share more success stats on request). In short, IMGMatch offers holistic support by people who’ve walked your path, at a price point and format designed for IMGs.
Who are the mentors, and how do you match me with one?
Our mentors are carefully vetted physicians who were IMGs and have gone through the U.S. residency match successfully. Most are residents or recent graduates in U.S. programs; some are fellows or attendings who still remember the process well. When you sign up, we match you based on several factors: your specialty interest, your background, and any specific needs. For example, if you’re aiming for Internal Medicine, we’ll likely pair you with an Internal Medicine resident who is also an IMG. If you need someone who understands the challenges of an older graduate or needing a visa, we consider that too. The goal is a mentor who can best relate to your journey and specialty. Our team includes mentors from over a dozen specialties, both community and university programs, and from various parts of the country. In case your primary mentor is in a different specialty than one of your secondary interests, we can arrange for you to speak with mentors from other fields as well. We take the matching process seriously – it’s important that you click with your mentor. If ever you feel the fit isn’t right, we can rematch you with someone else, no hard feelings. But we rarely need to do that because our matching algorithm (and human oversight) works very well to pair mentees with mentors who become trusted advisors and friends.
Do you help with visas or the NRMP process for IMGs?
We are not immigration lawyers, so we don’t handle visa applications ourselves, but we are very knowledgeable about visa considerations in the match. We can advise you on which visa (J1 vs H1B) programs typically offer and help you target programs accordingly. We keep track of which programs are IMG-friendly in terms of visa sponsorship. When it comes to the NRMP (National Resident Matching Program) process, yes – we absolutely guide you through it. We help with NRMP registration, choosing your rank order list strategy, and even preparing for the SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program) in case you need it. Think of us as guides through all the paperwork and timelines: we’ll send you reminders for important deadlines (like when to certify your rank list) and walk you through what to expect during Match Week. For visa, while we don’t file anything for you, we’ll ensure you know when to take Steps (like Step 3 early if you aim for H1B) and connect you with resources or legal referrals if needed for specific visa questions. Many on our team have gone through J-1 waiver jobs, H1B processes, etc., so we can share practical insight. In sum: anything directly related to getting you matched, we handle; ancillary issues like visa paperwork we support with advice and referrals.
What if I have a low USMLE score or multiple attempts? Can IMGMatch still help me match?
We approach every case with optimism and strategy. Yes, we can still help, though we will be very honest about challenges and how to overcome them. Many of our successful clients were not top scorers initially. If you have a low Step 1 or Step 2 CK score (or a failed attempt), we do a few things: First, if there’s time, we may advise taking Step 3 or a retake (if you failed) to show improvement. Second, we focus on other strengths in your profile to compensate – e.g., strengthening your clinical experience, getting stellar letters, doing research or additional certifications. Third, we work on your personal statement and interview explanations to proactively address any red flags in a positive way (turning a weakness into a learning experience). Our mentors have seen that applicants with attempts can and do match with smart planning – often into primary care specialties or into programs known to be more forgiving. We maintain an updated list of programs that have historically interviewed or accepted applicants with multiple attempts or lower scores, and we will help you target those. It’s important to remember that the residency selection is holistic; while scores matter a lot, they are not everything. Professionalism, persistence, and excellent interview skills can carry you. We’ve had clients with attempts match into residency after improving other parts of their application immensely. Your mentor will be frank about what tier of programs to aim for and will help you shine in those programs’ eyes despite the blemishes. Success is possible – with the right guidance, we can turn what seems like a roadblock into just a hurdle that you’ll overcome.
I’m still a medical student (or an IMG who hasn’t graduated yet). When should I start using IMGMatch?
Great question! You don’t have to wait until after graduation – in fact, starting early can be a smart move. We work with current med students and recent graduates alike. If you’re, say, in your final year of medical school or even earlier, we can help you plan ahead: guide you on when to take your USMLE steps, how to arrange electives in the US, and how to build a resume that will appeal to residency programs by the time you apply. Some students join our mentorship a year or two in advance simply to strategize their trajectory (for example, if you know you want to do surgery, we’ll advise doing research or rotations in surgery early). There’s no “too early” if you have the means – we tailor the mentorship to your timeline. If you’re more than a year out, you might not need intensive help year-round, but periodic consultations can set you on the right path and avoid missteps. Remember that residency applications are typically submitted in September of your graduation year (or post-grad year), but the groundwork starts far before – letters, exams, experience. By starting early with IMGMatch, you essentially ensure you won’t scramble last minute. We even offer special packages for med students in their 3rd year or beginning of 4th year to do a “prep and polish” before the actual application crunch. So, if you’re proactive and want to maximize your competitiveness, starting 6-12 months before applications (or earlier) is a great idea. That said, if you’re discovering us late, don’t worry – we have plenty of success with applicants who join in the spring or summer of their application year too. We’ll pick up wherever you are and move forward efficiently.
Do you offer any guarantees that I will match?
We are confident in our services, but the residency match has many variables, so no ethical service can guarantee a match outright. However, we do stand by our commitment. For our Premium Plan clients, we offer a form of guarantee in that we continue to work with you for free if you don’t match on the first attempt. Basically, we won’t abandon you; we’ll support you in the next cycle without additional charges (provided you had followed our advice and put in the work – we’re truly partners in this). This is similar to or more generous than the “guarantees” offered by other firms, which often simply allow you to repeat their program if unsuccessful. We do that because we believe in accountability – if we took you on as a client, we have a stake in your success. That said, our official stance is that while we cannot promise a 100% chance of matching (no one can – even top AMGs don’t have that assurance), we can promise to give you the absolute best fighting chance and to stick with you regardless. Our track record is excellent, and we’re happy to share our past match outcomes. Ultimately, the match decision is in the hands of program directors and the algorithm, but we make sure that when those decisions are made, you’ve done everything possible to be the candidate they want. And if it doesn’t work out that year, we regroup and come back stronger the next. Your success is our mission, and we take it very personally.
How is the mentorship conducted – is it all online? What if I’m in a different time zone?
We’ve designed IMGMatch to be accessible no matter where you are in the world. Most of our mentorship is conducted online via video calls (Zoom/Skype) and supplemented by emails and messaging. If needed, phone calls can be arranged too. We are very flexible with scheduling; our mentors are used to working across different time zones because IMGs come from all over. We will match you with a mentor whose schedule can accommodate yours. For example, if you’re currently in Asia or the Middle East, we’ll find session times that work in your evenings or weekends (our mentors might do early morning calls U.S. time, etc.). The online format actually works to everyone’s advantage – it saves travel time and allows us to pair you with the best mentor for you, regardless of location. We use screen-sharing during sessions when reviewing documents, and our mock interviews are usually via video to simulate real virtual interviews. All you need is a stable internet connection. As for materials, everything – edited documents, feedback, resources – is shared digitally (we often use Google Docs or similar so you can see edits in real-time). If you are ever in the same city as your mentor or want to meet in person, and it’s feasible, that’s a bonus, but it’s not required or expected. We’ve successfully mentored clients from over 20 different countries without issue. Additionally, being online means we can easily communicate frequently – even a quick question can be answered by a message. In short, geography is not a barrier with IMGMatch. We embrace technology to bring world-class mentoring to you, wherever you are.
I’m considering just buying an IMG-friendly program list and doing the rest myself. Why should I invest in a full service like IMGMatch?
It’s understandable to weigh the costs. An IMG-friendly list (like those from Match A Resident or free forums) might tell you where to apply, but it won’t help you with how to apply effectively. Think of it this way: knowing the target is only one part of the process – you still need to hit the target with your application. Our service provides guidance that a list alone cannot: ensuring your personal statement is outstanding, that your interview skills are top-notch, and that your entire profile is optimized. Also, be cautious – many list services provide broad data that can sometimes be outdated or “over-inclusive.” We have had applicants come to us after being disappointed that they spent money on a list that didn’t yield interviews (for instance, including programs that technically take IMGs but only with extremely high scores, etc.). We use such lists as a tool too, but we filter and tailor them heavily to your unique situation. Furthermore, the match is more competitive than just getting an application in; you need to stand out among hundreds or thousands of other IMGs applying to the same programs. That requires strategy and polish – which is where our mentorship pays off. It’s true, some people do succeed on their own, but many do not, as seen in the statistics. If you invest in IMGMatch, you’re effectively investing in maximizing your chances and potentially saving yourself from the heartbreak and cost of an unsuccessful cycle. One unsuccessful cycle is actually very expensive – not just in money (reapplying means another year of applications and possibly another year not earning a resident salary), but also emotionally. Our comprehensive support is an insurance of sorts against those losses. So while a program list is a piece of the puzzle (and we can provide that too), the real question is: do you want just data, or do you want a mentor to help you use that data and every other aspect to achieve success? Our clients overwhelmingly say the investment in mentorship was worth it when they open that match letter and see the word “Congratulations”.
How do I get started with IMGMatch?
Getting started is easy and risk-free. We offer a free initial consultation for anyone interested. You can click on “Free Consult” on our website and pick a time that works for you. In that intro call (about 30 minutes), we’ll talk about your background, your goals, and your concerns. We’ll also explain our services, answer any additional questions you have, and suggest which plan might suit you best. After that, if you decide to move forward, we’ll send you a welcome packet and match you with your mentor typically within 48 hours. You’ll then set up an initial deep-dive meeting with your mentor to really chart out your game plan. From there, it’s an ongoing relationship – you’ll schedule sessions regularly, and we’ll be with you each step. If you’re in a rush (say you found us late in the season and deadlines are looming), we can expedite things and get you help immediately. We have an efficient team ready to jump in. Also, everything is done with professionalism – after you sign up, you’ll have a clear agreement outlining our services, and we maintain confidentiality with all your personal information and documents. Essentially, the steps are: Free consult → Choose plan → Get matched with mentor → Start your personalized program. We strive to make the onboarding process as smooth as possible, because we know you already have enough on your plate. Once you’re on board, you’ll likely breathe a sigh of relief knowing you have experts guiding you. So, simply reach out – either through our website form, email, or phone – and we’ll guide you from there. Your dream residency might be closer than you think with the right support, and we’re excited to help you make it happen!
Still have questions?
Our support team is ready to provide personalized guidance.
Don't Wait, Your Future Begins Today
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