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Have you ever wondered if you can match in the U.S. without a perfect path — or perfect timing?
Dr. Miranda is proof that you can.
She didn’t rush the process. She didn’t follow the crowd blindly. And she didn’t try to do everything at once.
Instead, she made one key decision early: be intentional.
Is it possible to match while training outside the U.S.?
Yes — but only if you understand what you’re working against.
Training in the UK meant Dr. Miranda had to balance two systems at once — her NHS responsibilities and USMLE prep.
Instead of forcing everything into one timeline, she adjusted her strategy:
Took extra time to build her application
Gained clinical experience before applying
Matched when she was truly ready
That decision alone changed everything.
Do you need to apply to 100+ programs to match as an IMG?
Not necessarily.
Dr. Miranda originally planned to apply broadly — like most IMGs are told.
But instead of following fear-based advice, she looked at her application honestly.
Then she made a bold move:
➡️ Applied to 75 programs instead of 125
➡️ Landed 16 interviews
Because alignment beats volume — every time.
Why do so many IMGs struggle with USMLE exams — even after studying for months?
Because they’re studying the wrong way.
Dr. Miranda realized something most people miss:
It’s not about how much you study: It’s about how you think
Once she shifted from memorizing → thinking like the test maker, her performance changed completely.
How important is networking, really?
More important than most IMGs are willing to admit.
Dr. Miranda didn’t just rely on her CV — she built relationships:
Conferences
Online connections
Mentorship
Some of her interviews came directly from those connections.
Because in this process:
Visibility matters
Relationships matter
Strategy matters
What’s the biggest mistake IMGs make?
Waiting.
Waiting until final year
Waiting until they “feel ready”
Waiting until it’s almost too late
Dr. Miranda started early — and that gave her something most applicants don’t have:
➡️ Time to build
➡️ Time to adjust
➡️ Time to improve
So what should you do next?
Start.
Even if you don’t have everything figured out yet.
Because the difference between those who match… and those who don’t?
It’s not intelligence. It’s not luck. It’s action.
Mentioned in this Episode:
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- for course-related questions: admin@imgroadmap.com
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