Specialty Guide
Internal Medicine
232–252
Step 2 Range
242
Avg Step 2
~9,500
Total Spots
~92%
Match Rate
The largest specialty in the match with excellent opportunities for both US and international graduates. Wide range from highly competitive academic centers to accessible community programs.
IMG-Friendly
Internal Medicine programs routinely match IMGs. Strong board scores and clinical experience in the US remain important, but the door is genuinely open.
Key Facts
What Programs Weigh Most
Match Strategy
IM has the most positions of any specialty, but the applicant pool is also very large. Academic IM programs are significantly more competitive than the specialty average — applying to only prestigious university IM programs with borderline metrics is a common mistake. Community programs are far more accessible and often provide excellent training. IMGs with strong US clinical experience and Step 2 above specialty average are competitive at many programs.