Internal Medicine Residency Match: Beat over 10,000 Other Applicants ​

What are the most important criteria to match in Internal Medicine?
Understanding the most important criteria for internal medicine program directors and admissions committees will enable you to position yourself as well as possible to match in the specialty. It is critical to understand your competitiveness in internal medicine by reviewing data published by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). This data set contains Charting Outcomes in the Match for applicants, both US IMGs and non-US IMGs. We will outline what you should do to match by summarizing this data and our own knowledge of what makes a successful applicant!

Internal Medicine Residency Match Data 
In 2022, there were a total of 9,809 internal medicine positions offered in the NRMP match and a total of 11,598 applicants for those positions.
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Out of 9,809 spots, there were a total of 1,054 matches for positions in internal medicine for US IMGs and 2,431 for Non-US IMGs. 

A total of 11,598 applicants preferred Internal Medicine (or ranked an Internal Medicine program first), among whom 1,809 were U.S. IMGs (1,054 matched and 755 not matched to Internal Medicine) and 4,200 were non-U.S. IMGs (2,431 matched and 1,769 not matched to Internal Medicine). For each of the 9,809 Internal Medicine positions, there were 1.18 applicants who preferred the specialty. 
Summarizing for Internal Medicine
Total Matched: 9,809
US IMGs matched: 1,054
Non-US IMGs matched: 2,431
​Is Internal Medicine the right fit for you?
Whether you are a US IMG or Non-US IMG, it is critical to look at the data of matched applicants in Internal Medicine as you are exploring your residency match chances
US IMGs
In 2022, 11,598 applicants applied for 9,809 offered positions in internal medicine residency. There were 1,809 IMGs from the United States who applied for positions in internal medicine. There were a total of 1,054 matches for positions in internal medicine for US IMGs

So while the overall match rate for US IMGs is 1054/9809 - 10.7% 

The competition within the US IMGs can be assessed at 58.2% (1054/1809) - which implies that more than 1 in 2 US IMGs who applied in internal Medicine matched!

Below is the data for those US IMG applicants who matched successfully:
  • Mean USMLE Step 1 score: 225
  • Mean USMLE Step 2 score: 235
  • Mean number of research experiences: 2.2
  • Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications: 2.8
  • Mean number of work experiences: 4.8
  • Mean number of volunteer experiences: 5.0
  • Mean number of contiguous ranks: 8.6
  • Mean number of distinct specialties ranked: 1.3 
  • Percentage who have a Ph.D. degree: 0.4
  • Percentage who have another graduate degree: 17.4
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Summary:
IM has a higher step 1 score requirement than any specialty shown in the table, however, from the data, it is clear that Neurology is equally demanding when it comes to the Step 1 score. In step 2CK IM and Neurology are equally demanding when compared to other specialties. Neurology has the higher research experiences and abstracts, presentations, and publications than any other specialty shown in the table. 
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It is important to consider every factor in the table in order to match into your dream residency. Because approximately half of all IMG applicants to internal medicine in the United States are successful, we recommend applying broadly and being honest about your competitiveness. 

Non-US IMGs 
In 2022, 11,598 applicants applied for 9,809 internal medicine residency positions. There were 4,200 non-US IMGs who applied, and 2,431 were matched. So while the overall match rate for Non-US IMGs is 2,431/9809 - 24.7%
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The competition within the Non-US IMGs can be assessed at 57.8% (2,431/4,200)- which implies that more than 1 in 2 US IMGs who applied in internal Medicine matched!

Below is the data for those non-US IMG applicants who matched successfully:
  • Mean USMLE Step 1 score: 238
  • Mean USMLE Step 2 score: 245
  • Mean number of research experiences: 2.6
  • Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications: 5.8
  • Mean number of work experiences: 6.3
  • Mean number of volunteer experiences: 4.5 
  • Mean number of contiguous ranks: 7.0
  • Mean number of distinct specialties ranked: 1.2
  • Percentage who have a Ph.D. degree: 1.3
  • Percentage who have another graduate degree: 18.2

​Summary:
Though the step 1 score is higher in neurology. IM has a higher step 2 CK score requirement than any specialty shown in the table, however, from the data, it is clear that Neurology is equally demanding when it comes to the Step 2 CK score. Neurology has the higher research experiences and abstracts, presentations, and publications than any other specialty shown in the table. 

It is important to consider every factor in the table in order to match into your dream residency. Because approximately half of all non-U.S. IMG applicants to internal medicine match successfully, we suggest applying as broadly as possible and being honest about how competitive you are.

What do Internal Medicine Programs look for in the interview? 
Your interview/ interpersonal qualities are one of the important factors to rank you, and how you are perceived by anyone and everyone you meet will have the greatest influence on how (and even if) you are ranked. This is why, no matter how strong an applicant you are, you must be at ease with the interview process.

Knowing yourself is also beneficial; are you an introvert or an extrovert? What types of social situations make you feel at ease or uneasy? During residency interviews, you will meet a lot of new people and have a lot of conversations with strangers.

​Prepare yourself!

Even after the interview, internal medicine considers your USMLE scores important factors in deciding how you will be ranked.

Want to prepare for the interview? Now is the time to start preparing for this important step. Let us help you gain confidence and interview experience with in-depth preparation courses and mock interviews.
Internal Medicine Residency Match: What if you don’t Match or you feel you need Personalized help?
The residency application process frequently leaves applicants feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed. This is where USMLE Sarthi can help. We have successfully matched hundreds of applicants. Whether you require assistance with your personal statement, an interview strategy, in terms of rotations, research, or any other aspect of the residency match, contact us today! 
[email protected]

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