Tips to Match into Pathology as an IMG
Written by Syeda Qasim, MD
Being an international medical graduate (IMG) and applying for residency in a new country is challenging, especially if you add in the cost of living and social inhibitions. It can be very intimidating.
I am very fortunate to have exceptional mentors to help me while applying. I have been a part of the ASCP Mentoring Program, which was extremely helpful during my residency application. Pathologists are a great group of people, it's a small world of pathology, and everyone knows each other. I was always surprised at how friendly and welcoming all the pathologists/residents were whenever I reached out for guidance. I got acquainted with some wonderful people during application times and have forged long-term mentoring relationships. My official and unofficial mentors, some of whom I have not even met in person, have been instrumental in helping me make some of the most important career decisions so far.
Some tremendous national societies can be a great resource to applicants like the USCAP, ASCP, and CAP. With the advent of hashtags like #PathTwitter, #path2path and many more, there are many Twitter pathologist pioneers that prospective applicants can follow to gain further insight into the specialty and learn more about interesting cases and what a day looks like for a resident. Some notable examples of accounts and fun podcasts applicants can follow on Twitter include @Path_SIG, @instapathbio, @PathPod, @deadmendo, @peopleofpath, and many more.
Many programs have virtual open houses that applicants can attend. Some good resources to find out more about them are Inside The Match, program websites, and social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter are also helpful to find this information. I know that many IMGs applying for pathology residency need help finding observerships. Virtual observerships can be an option in some programs (Pathelective being a great example). PAPS (Pakistani-American Pathologists' Society) organizes countless observerships for many IMGs across the US and connects them with excellent mentors. It is free to join, primarily for pathology applicants from Pakistan, many of whom have benefited from their observership programs. It could be beneficial for IMGs to research more about national pathology societies from their respective countries to help connect them to mentors.
If you are someone interested in pathology, I congratulate you and welcome you to a fantastic field. In pathology, you will likely find a great support network and wonderful learning opportunities. Pathology has it all for you whether you enjoy reading, talking, teaching, or learning about disease patterns. For my fellow IMGs, keep working on your application and connect with people in your specialty! Best of luck!
