Letters of recommendation (LORs) for medical residency, crafted by attending physicians after U.S. Clinical Experience (USCE), are pivotal for showcasing an applicant's clinical abilities, teamwork, and professionalism. Effective LORs are detailed, citing specific examples of the applicant's skills and growth, and underscore the importance of the applicant's experiences and interactions in a U.S. medical setting. The credibility of an LOR is enhanced by the letterhead, the writer's credentials, and a clear account of the applicant's USCE, including the type and duration. USCE MATCH aids in obtaining personalized LORs by offering various USCE types and guiding applicants in effective communication with their letter writers, though it emphasizes that timeliness and content depend on the applicant's initiative and performance.

USCE MATCH conducts an online town hall meeting for an hour at least once or twice a month. This session is exclusive for confirmed applicants only and those with a confirmed schedule for their rotation. Discussions will include how the matching process works, suggestions on how to write a personal statement, and how the attendings/preceptors will evaluate the students during their rotation and Q&A. Please check the schedule here: TOWNHALL SCHEDULE

USCE MATCH proudly introduces the Green Excellence Award (GEA) as a distinguished acknowledgment for exceptional and promising applicants, reflecting our commitment to supporting your journey to a successful residency match. We are thrilled to extend exclusive benefits, including reduced pricing on select services, to those who meet the following criteria:

- Graduated within the last three (3) years from the time of application.
- Proven Academic Excellence (Impressive USMLE scores without any failed test attempts).
- Displayed leadership roles in medical or community-related activities.
- Engaged in impactful research and publications.
- Demonstrated Great Interpersonal Skills and Effective Communication (please submit a video).

Once all essential requirements are submitted, qualified GSA applicants can anticipate receiving a personalized discount offer of up to $500 for select services. This decision is final and irrevocable.

USCE MATCH offers a unique advocacy campaign for exceptional applicants, facilitating direct outreach to residency programs to bolster their chances of securing interview invitations. This merit-based effort highlights the importance of displaying outstanding qualities, beyond basic requirements, in patient care and medical practice. Selection for this support is based on evaluations from attending physicians and staff, with chosen candidates prompted to list their preferred programs. This service, operational during the interview season, provides crucial support during the stressful waiting period, although the ultimate decision rests with the residency programs. Success stories from this initiative underscore its effectiveness in aiding applicants, even those with application challenges, in securing interviews and placements.

The interview phase is of paramount importance, and it's critical not to underestimate its significance. Even highly qualified applicants can face challenges and, in the worst case, get unmatched if they don't perform well during interviews. Conversely, candidates who may be considered average on paper but excel in their interview skills can secure a match.

The National Resident Matching Program’s (NRMP) survey identified several key factors that program directors consider when evaluating and ranking residency candidates. The interpretation of this data means that the candidate’s academic profile, Step scores, ERAS CV, summary of USCE, Personal Statement, and LORs are vital components that can help secure interview invitations. However, the applicant’s interview performance can make a crucial difference in your ranking and ultimately define your match result. Remember this formula:

1st Step: Candidate's Profile = Interview invites
2nd Step: Candidate's Interview Performance = Ranking
= Match Result

Group Interview Online Prep Sessions are conducted through Zoom every Sunday from October to December, typically from 1 PM to 5 PM Central Time. Schedules will be posted through (insert the calendly link here), where participants can register.  For the schedule to push through, there is a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of twelve (12) registered participants for every session. Only applicants who purchased this service (either as a part of the package or stand-alone) can participate. Applicants are encouraged to proactively communicate with USCE MATCH on the fulfillment of this service. Topics will include the following:

- Discussion on the core importance of the interview phase. (15 mins)
- Your Role as the Applicant. (15 mins)
- The Profile of the Review Board (30 mins)
- Types of Framework Type Responses for Behavioral and Situational Questions. (30 mins)
- Building Rapport Response and Story Toolbox (30 mins)
- Common Interview Questions (30 mins)
- Post-Interview Follow-Up Best Practices (30 mins)
- A series of Role-Playing Mock Interview Scenarios (15 to 20 hours): Discussion on the four types of interviewers and the best individual approach (30 mins). Students will be randomly selected to simulate real interview scenarios for 10-15 minutes using either of the four types of interviewer approaches. Personalized feedback based on the selected student’s performance will be provided while the rest of the participants observe and provide constructive feedback.

Mentor-Mentee: USCE MATCH will invite approximately five (5) to fifteen (15) speakers, depending on the number of confirmed participants. Each speaker will host one (1) to two (2) hours of mentor-mentee Zoom sessions. Invited speakers will be a mix of matched residents from various specialties (first-year residents, PGY-2,3, and 4, as well as fellowship residents and attendings). There is a maximum count of twelve (12) participants per session, and the fulfillment is from August to November. The purpose of these sessions:

- To create a valuable platform for applicants to gain insights into the residency journey.
Learn best practices through knowledge sharing.
- Demystify the process of achieving a successful match based on the speaker’s personal residency journey through a Q&A.
- To be motivated and inspired by the speaker’s real-world examples and experiences.
- Build networking opportunities.

Before each session, the speakers will receive a profile description for each participant to help align a more tailored and participant-centered approach, potentially enhancing the overall impact of the sessions. While speakers may not officially represent their residency programs, the opportunity for them to recommend potential candidates based on the information provided and the interactions can be a valuable aspect. This informal recommendation is not guaranteed but could potentially open doors for some participants.

The "One on One Interview Prep" involves a personalized and comprehensive approach to help individuals enhance their interview skills for residency applications. The applicant will need to submit the ERAS CV, Personal Statement and MSPE to better delve into the applicant’s profile.
Here are the key features of this service:

1. Duration: The session is designed to last for 4 hours, providing ample time for an in-depth review and improvement of interview skills. This is a one-time session only, and the schedule can be flexible based on availability.

2. Personalized Feedback: The service takes a personalized approach by reviewing specific documents such as the personal statement, Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), and Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) CV. This allows for a tailored and customized interview preparation based on the individual's personal profile.

3. Tailor-Fit and Edit Responses: The focus is on tailoring and editing responses to ensure they align with the individual's personal profile. This may involve refining answers to common interview questions, emphasizing strengths, and addressing any potential weaknesses.

4. Four Combined Interviewer Approaches: The service incorporates four combined approaches to interview preparation. These approaches may include various strategies and techniques aimed at refining responses, boosting confidence, and addressing specific areas of improvement.

Overall, the "One on One Interview Prep" appears to be a comprehensive and personalized service aimed at helping applicants make significant improvements in their interview performance. It acknowledges the importance of tailoring responses to the individual's unique background and offers dedicated time for focused preparation. As it is an optional service, individuals can choose to avail themselves of this opportunity based on their specific needs and preferences.