Match Mentor

📢 ECFMG Pathways 2027 Are Now Open! If you are planning to participate in the 2027 NRMP Match, the ECFMG Pathways applications are officially live. Requirements 1. Pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK. 2. Complete one of the 6 ECFMG Pathways AND pass the OET Medicine exam (mandatory for all, no exceptions). Important Deadlines - December 2026: Last recommended month to take the OET Medicine exam. - January 31, 2027: Strict deadline to submit your Pathways application, release OET scores, and submit all supporting documents. Read more @residencymatchmentor

Key dates and deadlines for #Match2027 @residencymatchmentor

🚨 ERAS 2027 Update - Big Change for Research Section The “Publications” section is now replaced with “Scholarly Work.” 1. What counts as scholarly work? You can include: - Peer-reviewed journal articles (published, submitted, in press) - Abstracts (accepted/submitted) - Poster + oral presentations - Book chapters 👉 Non–peer-reviewed work (blogs, newsletters, opinion pieces) is now excluded. 2. One project = ONE entry (major change) Previously → same project could appear 3–4 times (abstract + poster + paper) Now → grouped into a single “scholarly collection” 3. “Most Meaningful” focus (very important) You can now highlight up to 3 key projects as your "most meaningful" scholarly work - Programs expect you to explain: impact, role, and learning - These will likely drive interview discussions 4. Your role is now explicit You must specify: - First author vs co-author - Your actual contribution (design, data, writing, etc.) What programs are now judging: Not “how many papers?” but: - What type of work do you do? - What skills did you gain? - Does your research align with your career goals? ⚠️ Bottom line strategy - Stop listing everything → curate - Track ALL scholarly activity (not just papers) - Be ready to defend your top 3 in detail - Focus on ownership + impact + narrative Source: AAMC @residencymatchmentor

Did you apply to the 2026 Match? Whether you matched, SOAPed, or are still on the journey, your data can change someone’s career. We’re collecting insights on: 💰 Total costs & Visa status 📚 Step scores & Publications 🏥 USCE & LoRs Help us create a transparent guide for Ethiopian applicants. 🔗 https://forms.gle/qYXpErRT3keBDLGf7 @residencymatchmentor

Intealth has announced updated fees for services related to ECFMG certification, residency application support, and EPIC, effective April 1, 2026. Fee Comparison (Old → New) ECFMG / MyIntealth - MyIntealth account: $100 → $110 - ECFMG Certification application: $560 → $580 - Credential verification (ECFMG): $200 → $220 2027 Application Season - Pathways application/revalidation: $925 → $945 - ERAS token: $165 → $185 - Residency CAS support: $165 → $185 Read more: https://www.ecfmg.org/news/2026/03/19/fee-increases-beginning-april-1-2026/ @residencymatchmentor

Match Day is finally here 🎉 Congratulations to everyone who matched this year. All the hard work, uncertainty, and resilience paid off. You have earned this moment. For those who did not match, this is not the end of your journey. Many have been in your position and still succeeded. Take time to regroup, stay focused, and keep moving forward. At Match It Forward, this is exactly why mentorship matters. Each year, new applicants begin the same path you just experienced. They are preparing for Step exams, navigating ERAS, and facing interviews. Many are looking for guidance from someone who has already gone through it. If you: ✅ Matched this year ✅ Interviewed this cycle ✅ Passed Step 1 or Step 2 You are already in a position to help someone behind you. You do not need perfect scores or a flawless application. You only need your experience. What worked, what did not, and what you wish you knew earlier. If someone helped you along the way, this is your chance to pass it forward. Sign up to be a mentor: 👉 https://forms.gle/YoicWzKg92wDFJWz8 @residencymatchmentor

Match It Forward is growing fast, and we now need more mentors. Over the past few months, a large number of USMLE aspirants have signed up for mentorship. Many are preparing for Step 1, Step 2, or ERAS and are looking for guidance from someone who has already walked this path. Right now, the limiting factor is mentors. If you have passed Step 1 or Step 2, interviewed, or matched, your experience matters more than you think. You do not need to be perfect, top-scoring, or an expert. You only need to be a few steps ahead. As a mentor, you help by: ✅ Sharing what worked and what did not ✅ Giving practical advice on exams, applications, or interviews ✅ Offering reassurance during a stressful process This is not a heavy time commitment. Mentorship is flexible, mentee-driven, and based on simple check-ins and honest guidance. If you benefited from advice during your own journey, this is a chance to pass it forward. Mentors can sign up here: 👉 https://forms.gle/YoicWzKg92wDFJWz8 Match It Forward exists because of people willing to help others climb the same mountain they just climbed. @residencymatchmentor

Match It Forward – Round 2 Round 1 was a success, bringing together mentors and mentees from across the world to share guidance and support through the USMLE journey. Building on that momentum, we are opening Round 2. Match It Forward connects USMLE aspirants with mentors who have recently taken Step 1, Step 2, or gone through ERAS and the Match. ⚫ Mentors: If you have passed a step or matched, your perspective is valuable. Sharing what worked for you can guide someone facing the same challenges. If you were part of Round 1, you are welcome to join Round 2 as well. 🟡 Mentees: Learn practical strategies for exams, applications, and interviews from mentors who understand the process because they have just gone through it. Join here: 👉 Mentees: https://forms.gle/W6SHBgpdHP92gZP67 👉 Mentors: https://forms.gle/YoicWzKg92wDFJWz8 @residencymatchmentor

The 6 ECFMG Pathways for IMGs (2026) Pathway 1 Who: Physicians holding an unrestricted license to practice medicine in their home country issued on or after Jan 1, 2021 Requirements: License + Letter of Good Standing Pathway 2 Who: Graduates of schools where passing a national OSCE is required for medical licensure Requirements: Proof of passing the OSCE, school attestation if diploma not yet issued Pathway 3 Who: Students or graduates from schools accredited by a WFME-recognized agency Requirements: Medical school attestation of clinical skills Pathway 4 Who: Students or graduates from schools accredited by an agency with NCFMEA comparability Requirements: Medical school attestation of clinical skills Pathway 5 Who: Students or graduates in joint MD programs with a U.S. LCME-accredited school Requirements: Medical school attestation of clinical skills Pathway 6 Who: Applicants not eligible for Pathways 1-5 or with a prior Step 2 CS fail Requirements: 6 Mini-CEX encounters scored by 3-6 licensed physicians All Pathways: Must pass OET Medicine, verify diploma, meet ECFMG school rules, and pass USMLE Step 1 + Step 2 CK @residencymatchmentor

How to Create Your MyIntealth Account? Watch here: https://vimeo.com/1090963442/14ea4219fd @residencymatchmentor

🚨 Important Update: Transition to MyIntealth 🚨 As of today, August 14, 2025, Intealth's systems are transitioning to the new MyIntealth platform, which will improve the experience for IMGs. ⏳ What this means for you: MyERAS is still available: You can continue to use MyERAS without disruption to submit your residency applications. Other systems are offline: The following systems will be temporarily unavailable for 4-6 days during this transition: 👉 EPIC 👉 OASIS 👉 EMSWP 📅 What’s Next? MyIntealth will be live in 4-6 days, offering a more seamless experience and unified platform. Stay updated by checking the MyIntealth Transition Page for the latest information. @residencymatchmentor

Step 2 CK Passing Score Will Increase from 214 to 218 Starting July 2025 The USMLE Management Committee announced on June 16, 2025, that the passing standard for Step 2 CK will increase from 214 to 218 for exams taken on or after July 1, 2025. This four-point adjustment aims to maintain the exam's rigor and alignment with evolving medical education standards. The decision was made by a diverse committee of medical professionals, educators, and public representatives. @residencymatchmentor

The USMLE Management Committee is set to review the Step 2 CK passing standard in June 2025. If any adjustments are deemed necessary, the updated standard will apply to all exams taken on or after July 1, 2025. Stay tuned for official updates! @residencymatchmentor

Key dates and deadlines for #Match2026 @residencymatchmentor

📢 Calling All Matched Applicants! If you successfully matched in the 2025 Match or a recent cycle, your experience is incredibly valuable to future applicants! So far, we’ve had very few responses from those who matched—but your insights could make the biggest difference in guiding others. 🔹 Only 3 minutes to fill out the survey! 🔹 100% confidential 🔹 Results will be shared openly to help the community! 📝 Take the Survey Now: https://forms.gle/2VhE4q47bJ2ce3tQ6 If you’ve already filled it out—THANK YOU! 🙏 Please share with other matched applicants so we can get meaningful data. Let’s pay it forward! 💪 @residencymatchmentor

Mentor-Mentee Matches Are Here! We’ve completed our first round of mentor-mentee matching for the Match It Forward Program. Each mentee was matched with someone at least one step ahead in the USMLE journey. However, not every mentee has been matched yet, particularly where mentor availability did not align with specific interests or stages. We’re continuing to match as more mentors join. If you’ve passed Step 1, Step 2, or matched into residency, we encourage you to sign up and support future applicants: 🔗 Mentor sign-up: https://forms.gle/YoicWzKg92wDFJWz8 Emails have been sent to those who were matched. Mentees, please reach out to your mentors to get started. @residencymatchmentor

🎉 We’ve hit 100 mentee sign-ups, and we need YOU! If you have successfully been through the USMLE journey, now is your chance to give back. Your experience can help those just starting out. 🔗 Sign up to be a mentor today: https://forms.gle/YoicWzKg92wDFJWz8 @residencymatchmentor

Despite all the buzz around Intealth’s new accreditation policy, plenty of applicants from unaccredited schools still matched into U.S. residency programs. It turns out the policy has not actually made a difference when it comes to getting into residency, at least not yet. As long as your medical school meets the old ECFMG certification criteria, you are still good to go, and residency programs are not automatically turning down applicants from schools without the new accreditation. So, while it is a good idea to keep an eye on any future changes, for now, nothing major has changed for non-U.S. IMGs looking to match. @residencymatchmentor

Very few people have filled this so far. So please, if you have participated in the 2025 Match cycle or any cycle in the past 5 years, spare 2-3 minutes and fill it out. If you haven’t but know someone who has, please share it with them. Take survery: https://forms.gle/2VhE4q47bJ2ce3tQ6 @residencymatchmentor