IMG Competitiveness in the Residency Match by Specialty

In this article, we have compiled data from the 2020 NRMP Program Director Survey, as well as both 2020 and 2022 Charting Outcomes in the Match: International Medical Graduates. We have used these findings to present the varying competitiveness by specialty. Please find each specialty in alphabetic order below:
Anesthesiology
2022 Matched US-IMGs - 3.7%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 231 | 237 |
2022 | 233 | 240 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 4%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 240 | 244 |
2022 | 234 | 243 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step 1 Score
Letters of Recommendation in order of importance:
1. Anesthesiology; 2. Surgery; 3. Internal Medicine; 4. Critical Care
Dermatology (PGY2)
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 1.2%
2022 Matched US IMGs - 1%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 238 | 246 |
2022 | 251 | 252 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step 1 Score
Letters of Recommendation
Emergency Medicine
2022 Matched US IMGs - 6.5%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 232 | 241 |
2022 | 227 | 238 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 1.7%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1​ | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 229 | 234 |
2022 | 231 | 240 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Emergency Medicine
Step 1 Score
Family Medicine
2022 Matched US IMGs - 17.5%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | ​211 | 225 |
2022 | 211 | 225 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 10.3%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1​ | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 220 | 231 |
2022 | 219 | 231 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Commitment to Specialty
Letters of Recommendation in Family Medicine
General Surgery
2022 Matched US IMGs - 10.8%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1​ | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 237 | 245 |
2022 | 236 | 246 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 26.4%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1​ | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 242 | 249 |
2022 | 238 | 247 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step Scores
Letters of Recommendation
Internal Medicine
2022 Matched US IMGs - 12.7%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 225 | 236 |
2022 | 225 | 238 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 27.3%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 236 | 241 |
2022 | 238 | 245 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step Scores
MSPE/Dean's Letter
mED/pEDS
2022 Matched US IMGs - 2.3%
​US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 224 | 233 |
2022 | 220 | 229 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 2.6%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 238 | 240 |
2022 | 230 | 243 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step Scores
MSPE/Dean's Letter
neurology
2022 Matched US IMGs - 8.4%
​US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 227 | 234 |
2022 | 225 | 235 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 21.4%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 236 | 240 |
2022 | 239 | 245 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Neurology
Step Scores
obstetrics & genecology
2022 Matched US IMGs - 2.8%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 229 | 238 |
2022 | 226 | 243 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 2.7%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 231 | 237 |
2022 | 236 | 243 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step 1 Score
Letters of Recommendation in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pathology
2022 Matched US IMGs - 10%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 226 | 230 |
2022 | 219 | 228 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 34.2%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 230 | 233 |
2022 | 232 | 238 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Pathology
Commitment to Specialty
Pediatrics
2022 Matched US IMGs - 7.8%
​US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 221 | 232 |
2022 | 220 | 233 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 12.2%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 230 | 238 |
2022 | 229 | 240 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Step 1 Score
MSPE/Dean's Letter
physical medicine AND rehabilitation
2022 Matched US IMGs - 4.4%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 226 | 235 |
2022 | 220 | 227 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 4.4%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 238 | 242 |
2022 | 226 | 237 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Commitment to Specialty
psychiatry
2022 Matched US IMGs - 9.3%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 214 | 227 |
2022 | 216 | 228 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 6.6%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 222 | 232 |
2022 | 229 | 236 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Commitment to Specialty
Personal Statement
radiology-Diagnostic (PGY2)
2022 Matched US IMGs - 3.2%
US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 239 | 242 |
2022 | 241 | 247 |
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 5.9%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 241 | 243 |
2022 | 247 | 250 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Radiology
Step 1 Score
vascular surgery
2022 Matched US IMGs - 1.2%
2022 Matched Non-US IMGs - 7.1%
Non-US IMGs | USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
2020 | 243 | 247 |
2022 | 241 | 251 |
Top Factors for Residency Directors
*information from the 2020 PD Survery
Letters of Recommendation in Vascular Surgery
Step Scores