Step 2. Clinical rotations. Letters of recommendation. Your personal statement. During ERAS season, everything can feel urgent. But what should you actually prioritize? We’re breaking down how IMGs can make strategic decisions, focus on what matters most, and stop chasing the idea of a “perfect” residency application.

From India to France to the United States, Ashima Palia’s journey in medicine has been shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to keep learning. In this Student Spotlight, she reflects on her U.S. clinical experience, the rare case that inspired further research, and the lessons she’ll carry with her as she pursues an Internal Medicine residency and future career in Cardiology.