Specialty Guide
Psychiatry
232–248
Step 2 Range
238
Avg Step 2
~1,800
Total Spots
~90%
Match Rate
A growing specialty with excellent opportunities for both US and international graduates. Strong interpersonal skills and genuine commitment to mental health care are highly valued.
IMG-Friendly
Psychiatry 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
Psychiatry is experiencing genuine specialty growth driven by the mental health crisis, which creates real opportunity. Programs place significant weight on interpersonal qualities and the ability to engage with patients therapeutically. A coherent, authentic narrative about choosing psychiatry — particularly one that doesn't frame it as a fallback — resonates strongly with programs. IMGs are well-represented and programs often have robust visa sponsorship infrastructure.