Over 15 years helping international doctors Match into U.S. residency — even when the odds were against them.
Meet: Dr Brian | Match & Residency Expert
I’ve spent the last 15+ years helping international medical graduates (IMGs) prepare for U.S. residency interviews — especially those who were told they had “no chance.”
Old year of graduation? Low Step scores? Failed a USMLE exam? Gaps in your CV?
I’ve seen it all. And I’ve helped thousands of doctors overcome those red flags and Match anyway.
Earlier in my career, I served as the Medical Director at Kaplan Medical International, working alongside leaders in medical education like Dr. Conrad Fischer and others in the USMLE world. At Kaplan, we helped thousands of students improve their Step scores — often by huge margins.
But over time, I began to notice something:
Even the students with great scores weren’t always Matching.
They were falling flat during their interviews — not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t know how to tell their story.
That’s when I realized something the data confirms:
Scoring well might get you the interview — but it’s your interview performance that determines whether you Match.
According to the 2024 NRMP Program Director Survey, “interview performance” was rated as the single most important factor in ranking applicants — ahead of USMLE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
Source: National Resident Matching Program, 2024 Program Director Survey – Figure 12
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What I Know
The Match process doesn’t just reward high scores. It rewards growth, likability, and trainability.
And most IMGs don’t lose because they aren’t smart enough. They lose because:
Their application doesn’t reflect who they are
They try to sound like someone they’re not
They practice with friends, residents, or strangers who aren’t trained to give real feedback
That’s why everything we do at Mission Residency focuses on:
Communication that builds trust
Techniques tailored to your unique speaking style and personality
Turning red flags into moments of connection — not weakness
🩺 What I Do Now
In addition to leading Mission Residency, I also serve as a private consultant to residency programs across the country, advising on how to evaluate and improve their interview process. I help program leaders refine how they assess candidates — and select residents who truly fit their program culture and long-term goals.
That behind-the-scenes perspective shapes everything I teach — because I’m not guessing what programs want. I’ve seen it firsthand.
📈 Track Record
15+ years specializing in IMG Match interview prep
Trained over 3000+ IMG doctors across more than 30 countries
Helped students Match with:
Step 2 CK scores as low as 198
YOG as old as 1985, with many 1999-2005 grads
Multiple USMLE failures
Weak U.S. clinical experience or letters (one of our docs had NO valid USCE and still Matched into internal medicine/pediatrics combined residency at Hurley Medical Center)
Many of them had fewer than 5 interviews — because you don’t need 10 if you’re ready to win 1.
❤️ Why I Focus on IMGs
I get asked this a lot — “Why IMGs? Not just IMGs, why do you lean towards the ones with red flags? Wouldn’t your Match rate be HIGHER if you just took AMGs or US Caribbean students? “
And the truth is, there are a lot of reasons.
But here’s the simplest one: because they need help — and I like being useful.
Another reason?
Because there are people in this country who still look down on immigrants. People who think someone’s accent, country of birth, or last name makes them less worthy of trust.
I know that the best way to change that… is to get more IMGs into U.S. hospitals. Americans can see — with their own eyes just how lucky they are to be treated by doctors who gave up everything for a chance to save lives in a new country.
My whole life I’ve been blessed to have IMG’s motivate me . . .
I’m the son of an IMG — a doctor who left the Philippines before I was born to give us a better life.
My best friends are IMGs
And I’m an IMG too — born and raised in the NY–NJ area, pre-med at New York University, but I went to medical school in the Philippines.
I’ve lived both sides.
And I built Mission Residency for doctors like us — because we’re not asking for a handout. We’re asking for a fair shot to prove ourselves. And when we do, everyone wins.
🔗 Want to See My Advice?
Explore the Match Q&A section, where I answer the most common IMG questions, including:
Or book a Free Match Strategy Call if you’re wondering what to do next.