Dear IMG: What if the biggest obstacle to your dream residency match isn’t your USMLE scores, your research, or even other match applicants? 

In this episode, admissions consultant and founder of Memorable Essay, Shawna-Kaye Lester, gets into why your mindset may cost you a match. 

She shares four mental shifts every ambitious IMG must make to get through the match and into their dream life.. From rejecting the belief that being an IMG is a weakness, to stepping into your identity as a young doctor, to radical focus on yourself, and embracing  the power of making your match journey a team sport, this week’s episode is the morning motivation you didn’t know you needed. If you’ve been feeling self-doubt and overwhelm creep in on your match journey, this episode will help you set your mind right and enjoy powering through to Match Day. 

00:00 Introduction and Overcoming Self-Doubt

01:05 Welcome to the IMG Residency Match Podcast

01:49 Meet Your Host: Shawna-Kaye Lester  

02:36 Four Essential Mindset Shifts for the Match

02:58 Mindset Shift 1: Being an IMG is Not a Weakness

06:20 Mindset Shift 2: Embrace Your Identity as a Young Doctor

10:28 Mindset Shift 3: The Real Competition is Yourself

15:47 Mindset Shift 4: Accepting Help and Building a Support System

21:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

24:00 Closing Remarks and Call to Action