Hi guys,

I'm a Canadian non-US IMG dual applying Anesthesiology and General Surgery this cycle. Would really appreciate feedback on my competitiveness and how you'd allocate signals. I'm risk-averse - I'd 1000% rather match "below my level" than risk going unmatched. My school doesn't have anyone to offer any advice/guidance.

Steps: Pass, 250

Clerkship: All honors, completed in Chicago hospitals

Research: 16 publications (7 first-author), 30+ abstracts

- Presenting 8 at ASA + and 2 at ACS, 4 oral presentations

- ~10 papers under peer-review.

- All retrospective cohort studies in the field of Anesthesia/Surgery/Neurology/Critical Care

Misc:

- I have an Anesthesia research fellowship at a hospital with an Anesthesia residency program.

- Awards: 3rd place ASA resident essay competition, 4 scholarships/grants.

LORs: 2 anesthesia (Elective + research PI), 1 surgery (Core rotation); I anticipate all three being very strong.

Location preferences:

- Wife attends UMinnesota, so will gold there as I'd prefer settling there.

- Michigan/Chicago due to proximity to Toronto + that's where I completed my cores.

I spoke with a faculty member at Mayo and they told me not to "waste" Gold signals on Community programs because my portfolio is strong for an academic program. As much as I would love matching at an academic program, I just don't think the ones in Chicago (UChicago, Rush, etc.) and many other places, will consider me due to IMG status (based on ResidencyExplorer IV rates)

Would really really really appreciate honest feedback!