Answer: Red flags like a low USMLE score, failed attempts, or an old graduation year don’t determine whether you can Match—they affect how many interviews you may receive and from where. But what determines whether you actually Match is how well you perform in those interviews.

This isn’t just our opinion—it’s confirmed in every NRMP Program Director Survey ever published.

(You can read the latest survey here: NRMP Program Director Survey – 2024)

At Mission Residency, we specialize in:

• Strategic CV and Personal Statement edits to reframe your red flags into professional growth.

• Helping you build a U.S.-style application that makes sense to program directors.

• And most importantly, training you to outperform expectations in the interview—because that’s where the Match is won.

Our Specialty - and favorite thing to do - is Matching doctors with Red Flags. Some examples…

• Match after failing Step 2 CK five times.

• Secure residency spots with Step scores as low as 198, with some going on to become chief resident.

• Enter competitive specialties—one doctor with a 223 on Step 2 CK became an interventional radiologist.

• Match with graduation years as far back as 1990, and many of our recent Matches fall into the 2003–2015 graduation range, with most having been out of school for 10–15 years.

If you’ve been told you can’t Match because of your past—come talk to the team that’s helped prove that wrong again and again.

A: Our two most popular IMG-focused training programs are:

• IV Prep Complete Masterclass: $3,499–$3,999

• 360° Match Mentorship: $4,499–$4,999

The earlier you book and begin, the lower your tuition. Think of it like airline pricing—the farther ahead you commit, the more you save. Why? Because starting earlier gives us more time to guide you, increase your chances of Matching, and ensure you get the full benefit of the program. It’s a win-win for you and for us.

Since 2015, we’ve deliberately limited our class sizes and the number of students Dr. Brian personally trains. Why? Because personalized feedback, close mentorship, and real-time coaching require time, not templates. And it’s this individualized attention that has helped thousands of doctors overcome red flags, improve confidence, and finally secure interviews and offers.

But here’s the most important part:

This isn’t just an investment in your Match—it’s an investment in your future as a physician, a colleague, a communicator, and a leader.

Our training goes far beyond typical “interview prep.” You’ll learn:

• Advanced communication techniques

• Conflict resolution

• Negotiation strategies

• Social intelligence and relationship-building—skills that help you succeed not just in interviews, but in residency, patient care, daily life, and even family relationships.

And yes, we’ll be honest:

If you’re only doing this for a few interviews, it’s probably not worth the investment.

But let’s also be very real about the cost of not Matching.

• Just applying for one season typically costs $3,000–$6,000 in ERAS fees, document uploads, and travel.

• If you don’t Match, you lose out on a $60,000–$70,000 first-year salary—and that’s every single year you’re not in residency.

• One of our students calculated that after five failed Match attempts, trying to “save” money on prep actually cost him over $700,000 in lost income:

  • 3 years of residency ($180,000)

  • 2 years post-residency as a hospitalist ($500,000+)

Sometimes, the biggest risk is doing too little—not too much.

We’re here to help you prepare fully, perform with confidence, and take the shortest path toward the life and career you’ve worked so hard for.

A: The best time to start? As early as possible—especially if you know you have red flags or a risky profile.

Here’s why:

• If you’re only likely to receive 1 or 2 interviews, there’s no room for error. Those interviews need to be strong enough to convert to a Match. The earlier you start, the more time you have to build confidence, develop multiple ways to answer difficult questions, and sharpen your communication skills.

• Starting earlier allows Dr. Brian to work with you 1-on-1 to prioritize what will improve your chances the most:

  • Should you take Step 3?

  • Is your focus better spent getting real USCE?

  • Would a research project or new Letter of Recommendation make more of a difference?

The answers depend on your unique profile, and that’s the kind of personalized strategy we can’t rush.

Yes—some doctors join us in October and still do very well in the Match. But in our experience, **doctors with similar scores, YOG, and credentials who started earlier—Spring or Summer—tend to Match into higher-ranked programs, often their 1st choice.

Earlier enrollment also:

• Locks in lower tuition (just like airline fares)

• Gives more time for CV and personal statement editing

• Builds a stronger relationship between you and Dr. Brian—so your training is more personal, not rushed

And for those with red flags? Starting earlier is often the difference between explaining your past… and owning your future.

Answer: Both of our main programs—IV Prep Complete Masterclass and 360° Match Mentorship—are designed to completely retool your communication and interview skills. The difference comes down to how much time, support, and personal guidance you want throughout the process.

✅ IV Prep Complete Masterclass

Best for:

• Doctors who feel reasonably comfortable with their spoken English and communication style

• Those who prefer a focused, structured plan without needing extensive one-on-one check-ins

• Candidates who are looking for a complete transformation in how they present themselves in interviews and on paper—but can stay on track with guided assignments, mock interviews, and feedback

You’ll get full training in:

• Personal statement + CV strategy

• Specialty-specific interview prep

• Mock interviews with feedback

• Advanced communication and social skills for interviews, residency, and beyond

This is ideal for doctors who are coachable and committed—but don’t require as much hand-holding.

🌟 360° Match Mentorship (Most Recommended)

Best for:

• Doctors who are still building confidence in English or want to feel more natural, fluid, and persuasive when speaking

• Those who prefer a slower pace and more time to absorb, practice, and refine

• Anyone who wants unlimited access to mock interviews, regular 1-on-1 strategy calls with Dr. Brian, and month-to-month mentorship leading into and beyond the interview season

360 gives you:

• Unlimited mock interviews for consistent growth

• Long-term personal access to Dr. Brian

• Guidance to help you prioritize between Step 3, USCE, research, and other key application decisions

• Repeated practice and real-time correction to help you internalize the skills—not just learn them

To put it simply:

If you want a structured and complete interview retooling and are good with check-ins when needed = IV Prep Complete

If you’d benefit from more time, more practice, and more personal guidance every step of the way = 360° Match Mentorship

Still unsure? We’re happy to help you choose what’s right for you based on your background, goals, and timeline.

Yes and no.

We don’t officially secure USCE ourselves—because clinical placement is its own world, and we focus entirely on helping doctors Match through strategy, communication, and interview performance.

But here’s the “yes”:

We have a powerful connection that most applicants don’t have access to—someone whose entire job has been placing Caribbean medical students into real, hands-on U.S. Clinical Experience at teaching hospitals.

He’s agreed to help and prioritize Mission Residency students for legitimate, malpractice-covered externships in locations like New York, Chicago, and Florida.

These aren’t observerships.

They’re true externships—and here’s how you know:

They require medical malpractice insurance.

That’s the litmus test. If a clinical experience doesn’t require malpractice coverage, it’s not hands-on. It’s not real externship-level USCE.

How do you get access?

As soon as you complete your enrollment, simply ask Dr. Brian to personally introduce you. You’ll get a direct referral, not a random link or a generic contact form.

Why do we help with this?

Because interview prep only works if you get interviews—and strong, legitimate USCE increases your chances of getting them.

We don’t run a USCE business, and we don’t make money from referrals. But we want our students to have the best shot at Matching—and this is one more way we help make that happen.

We completely understand—and you’re not alone.

For over 16 years, we’ve built Mission Residency with the real lives of doctors in mind. Nearly every single student we’ve trained has been juggling one or more of the following while preparing for the Match:

• Studying for USMLE Step 2 CK or Step 3

• Attending U.S. clinical rotations during the day

• Working on research projects

• Holding down jobs

• Managing responsibilities as a parent or caregiver

That’s why our entire schedule is designed to work around you.

Here’s how it’s structured:

• Weekday sessions (like mock interviews and strategy workshops) take place between 9 PM and 12 AM EST, after clinicals, work, and studying hours.

• Our longer, intensive classes (typically 5–6 hours) are only held during the early phase of training—and they’re scheduled on weekends, usually Sundays, when most doctors are off-duty.

We’ve made flexibility a core part of the program.

And if something comes up? Life happens. If you’ve cleared it in advance with Dr. Brian, we allow:

• Make-up sessions, and

• Access to on-demand recordings for any missed classes

So whether you’re rotating, parenting, working nights, or pushing through Step 3, you won’t miss the training you need to Match.