IMG-Friendly States (Meaning, Highest/Least, FAQs)

IMGs (International Medical Graduates) are physicians from IMG-friendly or non-IMG-friendly states who earned medical degrees outside the US and Canada.

The situation of the medical school, not the physician’s citizenship, determines whether the graduate is an IMG.

This suggests that US citizens who succeeded in medical schools outside the border of the US and Canada are thought to be IMGs.

Invariably, non-US citizens who succeeded in medical schools within the US and Canada don’t seem to be regarded IMGs.

This article will explain IMG, the highest IMG-friendly states, IMG-friendly programs, and the least IMG-friendly states.

Top 10 Highest IMG-Friendly States

When International Medical Graduates (IMGs) consider how to rectify their US-based residency programs, they often have their personal preferences.

However, looking at trends in which places provide the best opportunities for a good match is important.

Furthermore, while having a decent and well-developed ERAS application is important, a key item to consider is how to send that application.

Besides, targeting the appliance at the right moment will boost the chances of being interviewed.

Some US states are more likely to accept IMGs than others and, therefore, are considered “IMG Friendly.”

Every year since 1952, the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) has issued a report full of useful matching data on trends and statistics.

Thus, the more candidates understand these trends and statistics, the simpler the targeting of their application is.

According to the NRMP report, these states are the most IMG-friendly states;

• New York
• Michigan
• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Texas
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Massachusetts

Typically, this means that residency programs in these states have established sturdy documentation of granting interviews and matching IMG applications.

Admittance rates can vary, considering the specialty; however, it is important to keep in mind that no state specifically omits IMG applicants, and overall, the trajectory is favorable.

A report from NRMP data for the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) states that “the success rate for all IMGs in acquiring first-year residency degrees was from 56.6%-58.8%” in 2018.

Likewise, some states have licensing board prerequisites, which might be more or less tough for IMGs to realize in completing their residency.

Read this: Easiest CLEP Exams (Meaning, Rankings, Easiest, CLEP tips)

IMG-friendly states

Should I utilize a specialization or location that isn’t “IMG Friendly”?

The answer is clear. Aside from the top 10 programs, several others have over 50% IMGs on their resident roster at any given moment.

It can rely on the number of applications and the mixture of specialties and locations being considered.

Due to the complexity of things, a consultation with someone who has in-depth knowledge about individual programs and can provide further advice on this question is recommended.

IMG Prep LLC has extensive experience working one-on-one with IMG residency applicants.

You might help navigate many potential programs to look for the correct ones for you.

IMG-friendly states

How do I work out the right programs for me?

An applicant should consider which programs and specialties best suit the goals he or she wishes to achieve in life.

Additionally, to the factors noted above, including age at graduation, US clinical experience, and test scores, other considerations in prioritizing programs will vary for each candidate and might include:

• Is it decent to aim toward one specialty or several? 
• Are the program’s opportunities and requirements an honest match with the candidate’s own goals, interests, and capabilities?
• Does a non-public program offer mentorship, access to knowledge, technology, and practical experience?

IMG Friendly Programs

It’s critical to know where an IMG Friendly State or an IMG Friendly specialty area is because many IMG programs are yet to be confirmed.

That’s why IMGPrep, considers a program as IMG friendly, provided it matched IMGs in the past.

Even if a program is considered IMG Friendly, there could be specific considerations supporting the applicant’s profile.

For example, older applicants must hunt for IMG-friendly programs that are friendly for older graduates; thus, they must gather information about the utmost time since graduation requirements.

On the other hand, IMGPrep applicants have to enter the name of their graduate school, and the filters will highlight programs that have current residents from that college or country.

This customized information is invaluable in determining which programs are already more amenable to receiving IMG applications for applicants and that same profile.

Least IMG friendly states

International medical graduates (IMGs) apply everywhere in the country. However, the application could be expensive, and it’d be nice to understand which states to avoid for IMGs.

Thus, if an applicant wishes to increase his or her chances of matching to a school of their choice, applying wisely and avoiding certain states is the ideal method. The following are some of the least IMG-friendly states.

1. South Carolina ~14%
2. Hawaii ~13%
3. California ~12%
4. North Carolina ~11%
5. Utah ~10%
6. Washington ~9%
7. Oregon ~8%
8. Colorado ~7%
9. Montana ~6%
10. Idaho ~5%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on IMG-Friendly States

Conclusion 

An international medical graduate (IMG) is a physician who acquired his/her basic medical degree from a medical school outside the US and Canada.

For example, some states are more likely to accept IMGs than others; hence they are dubbed “IMG Friendly states.”

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