Looking into the most IMG friendly family medicine residency programs can be a great help for those wanting to begin their professional careers in the United States or Canada. Applying to residency programs strategically is beneficial for all medical graduates, but it is especially critical for an international medical graduate with less chance of being matched. When taking recent statistics into account, non-US IMGs make up just a small proportion of the residency applicants who do get matched. A family medicine residency will give IMGs the strongest chance of being accepted, but the field remains competitive all the way around.
This article explores some IMG friendly residency programs within the family medicine discipline that are accommodating to the needs of international medical graduates while also including useful tips for how to improve your application as an IMG.
Disclaimer: Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
>>Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here.<<
IMG Friendly Family Medicine Residency Programs
In terms of medical discipline, primary care specialties, including family medicine residency, are consistently some of the most IMG friendly programs in both the United States and Canada. If you are an international medical graduate, you will still need to pass the necessary exams, acquire the ECFMG certification, and compete with both American and Canadian citizens to be matched with a family medicine program. However, it is not impossible to receive a match that can take you to the next step of your career as a family doctor. Here is a brief list of exemplary IMG friendly family medicine residency programs in the US and Canada:
List of IMG Friendly Family Medicine Residency Programs in the United States
1. BronxCare Family Medicine Residency Program
New York is one of the most IMG friendly states due to its large population and number of residency opportunities. New York institutions are frequently listed as accepting the highest number of IMGs. For instance, the BronxCare program is very tolerant of international medical graduates. They sponsor both J-1 and H1B visa types. In addition, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores need to be above or equal to 80, which is an extremely low requirement compared to other schools both in and out of New York State. You have up to 2 attempts to achieve this score. Their website also indicates that their program is one of the largest in the country and that residents from all over the world are admitted. All in all, these are the qualities to look for in a residency program if you are an IMG.
Are you an international medical graduate looking to match to your dream residency program in the US or Canada? Watch this video:
2. Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine (Battle Creek) Program
You will find many IMG friendly hospitals and university health centers in Michigan. The family medicine program in Battle Creek has strong partnerships with Bronson Battle Creek Hospital and Grace Health, a federally qualified health center. Overall, the WMU program does not have strong restrictions for IMGs, and the requirements they do have are rather universal for all their applicants. The exact required exam scores vary from year to year, but passage of both USMLE steps on the first attempt is preferred, as well as 6 months of clinical experience in the US. The graduation year cut-off for this program is also 3 years, which is pretty generous for any IMGs who are applying.
3. UPMC Medical Education (McKeesport Hospital) Program
If you are figuring out how to get into residency programs as an IMG, some of the friendliest schools for you will be those that have qualifications that are very broad. In Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s McKeesport Family Medicine Residency Program is very open when discussing who can successfully apply. For USMLE, only passing scores are required for both steps. Clinical experience is only required if the applicant has graduated over 5 years prior to the application, which is pretty large compared to other programs in the country. They will also sponsor both the J-1 and H1B visa. Overall, this opportunity is perfectly suited to include IMGs.
4. University of Texas Health Science Center Long School of Medicine Program
This family medicine program in San Antonio, Texas, specifically notes that their requirements for IMGs are very similar to US graduates, which are already pretty open to begin with. Applicants must pass the USMLE by the third attempt – more attempts than are usually allowed by other institutions. An undisclosed amount of clinical experience is required if the applicant has graduated over a year prior. Moreover, IMGs must be eligible to work in the United States and for licensure in Texas. You must also be a holder of a J-1 visa if you are not a permanent resident or a US citizen. While there are additional requirements for IMGs at the Long School of Medicine, these restrictions are not out of the ordinary and are not extremely limiting if you wish to practice in Texas.
List of IMG Friendly Family Medicine Residency Programs in Canada
It is generally a little more difficult to match in Canada as an IMG due to there being fewer medical centers to match with. Family medicine, however, is the top specialty to match with. Primary care specialties reign supreme for IMGs. Other disciplines do accept IMGs, but their numbers can be quite low across the board. Nevertheless, here are a few examples of how Canadian universities and hospitals admit IMGs:
1. Department of Faculty Medicine at Queen’s University School of Medicine
What you will notice is that many Canadian programs use CaRMS exclusively for their applications. Many specific requirements are found on the CaRMS website or are dependent on the province. For instance, as one of the family medicine programs offered by medical schools in Ontario, Queen’s University is linked to all others within the province, so only one joint interview is required to apply to all programs. However, there are a few steps to take to be eligible. Applicants must pass their Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) and the National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE). Ontario applicants must also complete a Preparation for Residency (PRP) divided into two phases and a 12-week Assessment Verification Period (AVP) required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Other provinces may not need this exact prerequisite.
2. Department of Family Medicine at McGill Medical School
Moving to the city of Montreal, the McGill program mentions on their FAQ page that “the selection criteria for IMGs is no different than any other candidate.” They advise that applicants from outside the country improve their chances by carefully reviewing the selection criteria, speak to other IMGs already enrolled, and focus on interview or personal letter preparation. Make sure your transcript and grading format are easily understood. Fluency in English (for Montreal units) and French is essential for all candidates. If you are from a country where you already speak French, Québec might be the best option for you. According to CaRMS, Québec programs do also need recognition of the equivalence of your Doctor of Medicine degree from the Collège des Médecins du Québec, which is not far off from the types of certifications you would need in other provinces.
3. Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
The UBC program in Family Medicine is also rather friendly to IMG applicants. It offers services and evaluations to allow medical doctors to compete for and obtain residency positions that will eventually lead to licensure for practice. In addition, the Family Medicine program at UBC as a whole is much more available to international applicants compared to others within their Faculty of Medicine. It is one of four postgraduate residency training programs within the faculty that accepts international medical graduates in the first iteration of CaRMS. As for supplemental requirements, UBC is one of the programs that requires a signed Return of Service (ROS) contract with the Ministry of Health as a condition of accepting a residency position. More information and criteria can be found through the UBC IMG Office website or CaRMS.
All in all, while the landscape for residency program admissions for international medical graduates is rather competitive, it can be very beneficial to know where you have the best chance of matching or what are the best family medicine residency programs. Your goal is to go where it is the least competitive for you to make the entire match process easier and get your career started. While there are ways to improve your residency application after going unmatched, this should not be the objective for any medical student. You want to secure a match in as few attempts as possible.
Additional Tips for Matching as an IMG
1. Get Clinical Experience in the US or Canada
As previously mentioned, some schools require a significant amount of clinical experience for both their non-international and domestic applicants. You will be able to network and make connections with others in your field or in the country you want to further your career in. This will also help you find a suitable reference for an ERAS letter of recommendation or your CaRMS reference letter.
A potential issue here is that finding IMG electives and clinical experience is not as easy as it sounds. Researching your options will be key here, since not all hospitals offer opportunities of this sort to international medical students or graduates. You may have to contact institutions yourself to find a worthwhile externship.
2. Receive a Reference Letter from an American or Canadian Professional
Your family medicine residency letters of recommendation are highly influential components of your application, so you should plan them carefully. It is an unfortunate reality, however, that submitting letters of recommendation solely from your country of origin will not be as persuasive unless your writer is internationally known or renowned in the medical field. While it is expected that you will have references from outside the country, at least one of your letters should come from an attending physician or professional in the US or Canada. In this case, admissions committees are more likely to recognize the institution and see the letter as more of a credible source. American or Canadian references will inherently be able to write stronger letters of recommendation, as they are more familiar with the admissions systems in North America and know what program directors look for in letters.
You can also learn how to write your own letter of recommendation and ask a close connection in the US or Canada to sign it if you have trouble finding someone or knowing how to select the best verifiers and referees and ask for reference letters in your home country.
3. Gather Your Application Documents and Exam Scores
To stand out from other international or domestic applicants, having a stellar IMG personal statement or family medicine residency personal statement will give you an edge. The purpose of this document is to show your relevant skills and experiences for the program and why you’re a great fit.
Having excellent scores on the USMLE steps or the MCCQE Part 1 will also be an advantage in getting into a residency program. Many programs use these exam scores as a basis for the first round of cuts. If your scores do not meet the required standards, the likelihood of not matching increases because you may not be able to move on to the next step. Taking an USMLE prep course can have a positive impact on your score and make the necessary difference to help you acquire a match.
4. Ace the Residency Interview
It will never hurt to brush up on your interview skills. If you are an IMG, you may feel pressure to adapt to the American or Canadian system. Try to incorporate IMG residency interview prep into your schedule so that you can learn the best strategies to answer any questions that may come your way. Becoming acquainted with common residency interview questions and how to respond to them effectively can be the difference between an acceptance or a rejection. The interview stage is usually near the end of the application process. Not performing to the best of your ability and losing the opportunity to receive a residency match can be devastating. You do not have a second chance to make a great first impression, so be sure to make it count.
5. Plan Your Rank Order List
This tip refers back to your selection of IMG friendly family medicine residency programs to apply to. When officially applying, you will be able to list these programs you want to attend from your most desired to your least desired. This residency rank order list (ROL) is important when attempting to identify programs that best suit your needs. Choosing programs that have the fewest restrictions for IMGs and ordering them strategically in your list will bolster your chances of a match.
Conclusion
As an IMG, you will have more hurdles to overcome when applying to a program outside your country of origin. Luckily, there are programs and locations that are generally more sympathetic to your plight and will require less of you. What’s important is that you apply strategically and in ways that benefit your interests, needs, and chances of acceptance. Putting in the right amount of work will help you achieve the results you want.
You do not have to go through the process alone. There are resources and people out there to guide you if you look for them. If you’re struggling to keep track of all you must do, seeking professional residency help can be a viable option for dealing with additional requirements to secure your place as an IMG resident.
FAQs
1. Is family medicine an IMG friendly specialty for residency?
Yes, it is usually near the top of the list of specialties with the highest match rates for IMGs, along with the other primary care specialties, such as internal medicine and pediatrics.
2. Is it more difficult to apply for residency as an IMG?
IMGs do have to face obstacles that other applicants do not. Their chances of acceptance are consistently lower, especially if they have to meet an assortment of additional requirements. While it is more difficult to get accepted as an IMG, it is not impossible. Searching for IMG friendly residency programs is one of the first steps you can take to increase your chances.
3. How do I obtain the ECFMG certification?
First, you will have to pass the USMLE step 1 and USMLE step 2 as part of the medical science examination requirement. Next, eligible IMGs will have to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements by applying to Pathways to compete for positions in graduate medical education programs. You will also provide medical school transcripts from an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools to receive ECFMG certification.
4. What exams would I need to complete to apply for residency as an IMG?
This depends on whether you are applying in the US or Canada. Applications to Canadian programs tend to require passing the NAC OSCE, in addition to the MCCQE. American programs will usually have their own specific requirements besides the first two steps of the USMLE. Therefore, always check out what exactly you will need so that you can prepare yourself effectively.
5. How important are exam scores in determining whether I get accepted?
Exam scores are really important for advancing beyond the first few rounds of the application process. Program directors usually use exam scores to help narrow down who to invite for interviews.
6. How can I get clinical experience in the US and Canada?
Researching and getting in touch with institutions that offer externships will be key to acquiring clinical experiences. You must look for them yourself or use your network to find them, as they will not be handed to you most of the time. However, there are certain paid placement services that allow you to apply to these types of programs. That can also be an option if it is available to you.
7. Can I use letters of recommendation from abroad?
Yes, but it is strongly encouraged to have at least one excellent letter of recommendation from an American or Canadian medical professional who can vouch for your candidacy.
8. Can an IMG residency consultant increase my chances of getting matched?
An IMG residency consultant can help you with every step of your application process. They can provide detailed and tailored feedback on your application documents and develop a strategy with you to apply to programs that will maximize your chances at getting matched.
Like our blog? Write for us! >>
Have a question? Ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions!
Comments