How long is the clinical observership in P2R?

The clinical observership component of Pathway to Residency (P2R) is 12 weeks at AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals.

Pathway to Residency (P2R) Program | AUA College of Arts and Sciences | USMLE Prep + U.S. Observership + Match Coaching

95%*

4-YEAR RESIDENCY MATCH

3,600+*

RESIDENCY PLACEMENTS

12 wk

U.S. CLINICAL OBSERVERSHIP

ENTRY POINTS TO FIT YOUR STAGE

*Statistics reflect American University of Antigua College of Medicine

BUILT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENT AND GRADUATES

Why Pathway to Residency (P2R)

Pathway to Residency (P2R) is organized through AUA's College of Arts and Sciences (AUACAS) and is open to current students in good standing at — or graduates of — accredited medical schools. It's the only program of its kind that packages USMLE prep, U.S. clinical observership, and Match application coaching into a single, structured pathway — with detailed support from very experienced faculty experienced in preparing students for Pathway to Residency.

checkThe only program of its kind packaging USMLE prep, U.S. clinical observership, and Match application coaching into a single, structured pathway.

checkDetailed support from very experienced faculty experienced in preparing students for Pathway to Residency.

check12 weeks of clinical observership at AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals.

checkOne-on-one residency application coaching and direct exposure to residency directors and current residents.

checkCertificate of Attendance — and, where merited, Letters of Recommendation.

checkMalpractice insurance for the observership is covered under AUA's policy.

WHAT PATHWAY TO RESIDENCY (P2R) INCLUDES

menu_bookUSMLE Step 1 & Step 2 preparation

local_hospital12 weeks of U.S. clinical observership

edit_notePersonal statement & CV coaching

record_voice_overSpecialty advice & mock interviews

assignment_turned_inMatch application guidance

workspace_premiumCertificate of Attendance & possible Letters of Recommendation

THREE DISTINCT ENTRY POINTS

Start where you are.

Choose the entry point that matches your USMLE progress. Every path leads to the same destination — a competitive U.S. residency application.

PRE-STEP 1

Have not yet passed Step 1

PRE-STEP 2

Passed Step 1, not yet Step 2

PRE-MATCH

Passed both Step 1 & Step 2

Audit AUA's MED5 / MED6 term on our Antigua campus

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Achieve a qualifying CBSE score

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Enter the EED Step 1 prep program — sit and pass USMLE Step 1

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Detailed Step 2 preparation with faculty guidance, supported by tools like AMBOSS and CCSE

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12 weeks of clinical observership at AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals

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Full residency application advising — personal statement & CV, specialty advice, mock interviews, Match application guidance

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Detailed Residency Match Guidance from experienced faculty

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COST OF PROGRAM

$33,188

$21,020

$19,220

EST. EXTERNAL LIVING, EXAM, AND OTHER COSTS

$28,021

$14,675

$12,475

U.S. CLINICAL OBSERVERSHIP

12 weeks inside a U.S. teaching hospital.

The observership is where Pathway to Residency (P2R) candidates gain the U.S. clinical exposure that separates a strong Match application from an average one.

Observe care delivery in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Watch physician–patient–family interactions in the U.S. system, including history taking, physical exam, and EMR documentation.

See how physicians, residents, and nursing staff interact as a team.

Role model professional behaviors in real clinical settings.

Interact with U.S. physicians, staff, residents, and patients.

Gain experience interpreting radiology exams and basic lab data (blood, urine, serum).

Learn from teaching rounds, Grand Rounds, and departmental conferences — sharpen medical English.

Insight on the Match process, personal statements, and interview technique.

Strengthen your CV with genuine U.S. health system experience.

Earn a Certificate of Attendance — and, where merited, Letters of Recommendation.

Obtain school credit for core and elective rotations abroad.

Get direct exposure to residency directors and current residents.

OPEN TO STUDENTS AND GRADUATES WORLDWIDE

Built for a global cohort.

Pathway to Residency (P2R) actively recruits from major IMG markets. Whichever region you're joining from, we've structured admissions and observership placement to fit.

India Pakistan Africa Europe United States Middle East

Globe highlighting the regions Pathway to Residency recruits from

ELIGIBILITY

Who can apply.

Pathway to Residency (P2R) is open to current students in good standing and graduates of accredited medical schools. Complete your application with the following:

Note on graduate verification: Graduates whose medical education credentials have already been verified may register for the USMLE without additional verification from their medical school. Graduates whose credentials have not yet been verified will need their former school to confirm their status as a graduate at least once before USMLE registration — for international medical schools, this is done through the MyIntealth Verification program.

check_circleEnrolled in good standing — or graduate of — an accredited medical school

check_circleCompleted application form and application fee (~$150; may be rolled into program cost)

check_circleCurriculum vitae

check_circlePersonal statement

check_circleCopy of medical school transcript or diploma

check_circleProof of English proficiency

check_circleAppropriate immunizations (e.g., MMR, COVID, Flu)

check_circleValid passport and visa (B1/B2 for non-visa-exempt applicants)

check_circleECFMG certification

check_circleUSMLE score where relevant

READY TO TALK?

Admissions is happy to walk you through which entry point fits your situation and how to assemble your application package.

callOr call +1‑888‑282‑8633 mailEmail admissions@auamed.org

Start Your Application

ADMISSIONS

Meet your admissions committee.

Completed applications are reviewed by AUA's Pathway to Residency (P2R) Admissions Committee.

David Graham, MD

Executive Vice President Academic Affairs and Provost

Craig Hauser

Senior Vice President for Academic Administration

Matthew Hogan, MD

Dean of Clinical Sciences

Joshua James

Director of Admissions

Nelda Ephraim, Ph.D., MSN Ed., RN, CCRN

Professor and Chairperson, Education Enhancement Department, Preclinical and Clinical

See AUA before you apply.

Explore the Antigua campus, our U.S. teaching hospital affiliations, and hear from alumni who've been through the Match.

The Antigua Campus

Photo & video tour of the campus where Pathway to Residency (P2R) Pre-Step 1 candidates attend MED5/MED6.

Our Teaching Hospitals

Overview of AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals where Pathway to Residency (P2R) observerships take place.

Alumni Interviews

AUA graduates now practicing across the United States.

Frequently asked questions.

The specifics IMGs and international medical students most often want to know about Pathway to Residency (P2R). If you have a question that isn't here, use the form below and we'll answer directly.

What is Pathway to Residency (P2R)?addremove

Pathway to Residency (P2R) is a program from American University of Antigua's College of Arts and Sciences (AUACAS) that prepares international medical graduates and students for a U.S. residency Match. It combines USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 preparation, 12 weeks of clinical observership at AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals, and one-on-one Match application coaching, with individualized support from faculty experienced in preparing students for Pathway to Residency.

Who is eligible for Pathway to Residency (P2R)?addremove

P2R is open to current medical students in good standing and graduates of accredited medical schools worldwide. Applicants provide a completed application form and fee, CV, personal statement, transcript or diploma, proof of English proficiency, required immunizations, a valid passport and visa (B1/B2 if applicable), ECFMG certification, and USMLE scores where relevant.

What are the three entry points of Pathway to Residency (P2R)?addremove

Pre-Step 1 is for candidates who have not passed USMLE Step 1 yet — audit AUA's MED5/MED6 term in Antigua, achieve a qualifying CBSE score, and enter the EED Step 1 prep program.

Pre-Step 2 is for candidates who have passed Step 1 but not Step 2 — faculty-led Step 2 prep supported by AMBOSS and CCSE, 12 weeks of U.S. clinical observership, and full application advising.

Pre-Match is for candidates who have passed both Step 1 and Step 2 — Detailed Residency Match Guidance, 12 weeks of observership, and full application advising.

How long is the clinical observership?addremove

The clinical observership component is 12 weeks at AUA-affiliated U.S. teaching hospitals.

Who reviews Pathway to Residency (P2R) applications?addremove

Completed applications are reviewed by the P2R Admissions Committee: David Graham, Matt Hogan, Nelda Ephraim, Craig Hauser, and Joshua James.

Does P2R guarantee a U.S. residency Match?addremove

No program can guarantee residency placement in the United States. P2R gives applicants the components a strong Match application needs — recent U.S. clinical experience, coached application materials, and experienced faculty support. The 95% four-year residency placement rate and 3,600+ residency placement figures cited are statistics for American University of Antigua College of Medicine.

What is MyIntealth verification and when is it needed?addremove

For international medical school graduates whose credentials have not yet been verified, USMLE requires their former medical school to verify their status as a graduate at least once before USMLE registration. For international medical schools, that verification is done through the MyIntealth Verification program. Graduates whose credentials have already been verified do not need additional verification.

Start your Pathway to Residency

Tell us where you are in your USMLE journey. Our admissions team will identify the entry point that fits and follow up within one business day.

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check_circleDirect response from AUA Admissions

check_circleNo obligation — get your questions answered

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Request information & qualify

Takes about two minutes. All fields marked * are required.

First Name

Last Name

Country Code

Phone

Country of Residence

Region

Are you currently a medical student or a graduate? Current medical studentGraduate of an accredited medical school

Name of Medical School

Expected / actual graduation year

Is your medical school currently in good standing / accredited? YesNoNot Sure

Have you passed USMLE Step 1? YesNot yetScheduled / preparing

Have you passed USMLE Step 2 CK ? YesNot yetScheduled / preparing

ECFMG certification status CertifiedIn progressNot started

English proficiency English is my first / primary language of instructionTOEFL 90 or higherIELTS 7.5 or higherTOEFL / IELTS below the thresholdNot tested — will discuss with admissions

Do you hold a valid passport & U.S. visa (B1/B2)? BothPassport onlyNeither yetVisa-exempt

Anything specific you'd like the admissions team to know?

How did you hear about Pathway to Residency (P2R)?

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