SOAP Is Not Just a “Backup Plan” Every year, there’s a moment during Match Week when excitement across medical schools suddenly shifts. While many students are celebrating match results, others are opening an email they hoped they would never receive: a notification that they did not match. For many students,...

Introduction: The First Big Hurdle Every medical student knows that Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 is a defining moment. Even though Step 1 has shifted to pass/fail, both exams still carry weight, and both require months of preparation. The good news is that the students who succeed aren’t necessarily...

Over the past few years, one topic has spread rapidly across international medical graduate (IMG) forums, Reddit threads, WhatsApp groups, and medical school advising meetings: “Can international medical graduates now practice in the U.S. without residency?”   For many IMGs, the idea sounds almost too good to be true. After...

With only 4 weeks left until your upcoming COMLEX Level 2 exam, it’s time to get organized and crack down on studying. We’ve got you covered with our ultimate COMLEX Level 2 Study Plan! We provide a recommended week-by-week plan to review the content that will be tested on the...

For many medical students, the USMLE Step 1 is one of the most stressful and overwhelming experiences of medical school. However, with proper planning and organization, you can make test day feel more manageable. In this post we will not only provide you with a USMLE Step 1 checklist of...

The NRMP Program directors survey “at a glance” tool is extremely helpful in gauging where your application packet stands compared to the applicant pool. Here are the major components to consider when applying into Pediatrics.

FAQ Section   1. Is Step 1 still scored? No, Pass/Fail since Jan 2022. Passing is essential, but more importantly, Step 1 builds the foundation for Step 2. 2. So which score matters now? Step 2 CK. Scored 1-300; Pass = 218; Average = 245-247 As part of their holistic...

After months of applications, interviews, second-guessing your rank list, and counting down the days until Match results, residency applicants finally arrive at the moment they've been waiting for: Match Week.   For many medical students, Match Week is equal parts excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. It's the culmination of years of...

This article was updated on June 19, 2026, by Rebecca Lapides to reflect the most current information and recommendations.   The final year of medical school marks the start of your residency application journey. To succeed, you need a clear understanding of the application process and its key milestones. For...

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has announced an important update to its test accommodations request process that will affect all Step exam candidates, including international medical graduates (IMGs), beginning June 1, 2026.   If you plan to request testing accommodations for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or...