I’m Dr. Siddharth Atwal, an IMG with U.S. clinical experience—writing for those navigating the USMLE journey, clinical life, and everything in between
Congratulations on your match 🎉
You’ve crossed some of the hardest parts of the journey. The relief is real—and so is the list of things you now have to figure out next.
Before you think about white coats and ward rounds, there’s something more immediate to handle:
Where are you going to live?
f you’re moving to a city like New York, Chicago—or really, anywhere in the U.S.—the apartment hunt can feel overwhelming.
Listings vanish within hours. Landlords ask for proof of income, U.S. credit scores, and co-signers.
The process is fast, unfamiliar, and often unforgiving.
That’s why I want to offer something different— a decision-making strategy that brings logic to uncertainty.
The Algorithm That Helps You Decide When to Decide 🔎
It’s called the 37% Rule, and it comes from a book I highly recommend: Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths.
This rule isn’t a life hack.It’s a piece of decision science—quietly elegant, surprisingly reassuring, and deeply practical.
What Is Optimal Stopping? 🛤️
There’s a classic problem in decision science called optimal stopping.
It applies anytime you’re evaluating options one by one—job interviews, apartment hunting, even in choosing life partners
The catch: once you pass on an option, you can’t go back.
So when should you stop looking and make a decision?
Using It for Apartment Hunting 🏡
Imagine you have 30 days to find an apartment before residency begins.
The 37% Rule says this:
Spend the first 37% of your available time— in this case 11 days—simply exploring. Walk neighborhoods. Tour listings. Notice what feels right and what doesn’t. No commitments. No pressure to decide.
This initial phase is about gathering information—giving yourself a benchmark for what’s available.Then, once you pass that mark—starting on Day 12—you shift your strategy.
Now, you pick the first apartment that’s better than anything you saw during your exploration phase.
That’s it.The rule doesn’t guarantee perfection.
It guarantees you the highest probability of making a good decision when you can’t see the future.
Instead of rushing or endlessly second-guessing, you follow a calm, structured process that protects you from:
- Jumping too early out of panic
- Regretting better options you missed
- Overanalyzing into paralysis
It offers structure where chaos usually reigns—and turns a stressful decision into something you can navigate with clarity.
Especially Helpful for IMGs 🌍
If you’re coming to the U.S. from abroad, everything—from leases to credit checks—can feel unfamiliar.
The 37% Rule offers something rare in that moment: a process.
It slows things down.
It encourages deliberate observation.
It invites confident action, without regrets.
You’re not gambling. You’re deciding—calmly, rationally, on your terms.
💡 Why This Works
he strength of the 37% Rule lies in its balance:
- Enough time to understand your options
- A clear moment when it’s okay to act
- Flexibility—whether you’re seeing ten listings or a hundred
Instead of chasing a perfect choice, you optimize based on what you know, not what you hope might appear.
And in residency life—where ambiguity is everywhere—that’s a critical skill.
✍️ Final Thoughts Before You Sign
This may be your first major decision post-match.
It certainly won’t be your last.
Having a quiet, structured way to think through uncertainty?
That’s a gift you can give yourself right now.
Take your time.
Learn what’s out there.
And when a place rises above the rest—you’ll know when to say yes.
📘 This post was inspired by the book Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths—an exploration of how computer science can help us make smarter everyday decisions.
🧠 This blog is a space to share those ideas—especially the ones that help IMGs, residents, and medical learners bring more clarity and calm into the chaos.
By Dr. Siddharth Atwal
This is the first post in a new series where I explore smarter ways to navigate USMLE and residency—starting with how we make decisions under pressure.
Next up, we’ll shift from apartments to hospitals—where the real challenge begins. I’ll unpack some of the quiet, culture-based skills that help IMGs not just survive U.S. clinical rotations, but stand out, build trust, and earn strong letters of recommendation.
Because clinical excellence is expected. What sets you apart is everything else you pick up along the way.