Older IMG Graduates with Modest Scores: Where to Apply

Why this group needs a different search

Graduates who finished medical school five or more years ago face two filters at once: graduation-year limits and score expectations. Add a visa need and many programs drop out. This guide applies the filters in order so you can see where the list ends up. We use 2021 as the example, which is five years before the application year, with graduation in June and applications in September (5.3 years later).

The filter, step by step

The score step only counts programs that report IMG scores, so it understates the real list: a program that does not report scores may be open to you too. Use it as the place to start, and widen from there.

Which specialties have the most programs left

Specialties with at least 10 programs open to 2021 graduates are listed, sorted by the number that also sponsor a visa and have an IMG 25th percentile of 235 or lower.

Programs that meet every filter

These 10 programs are open to 2021 graduates, sponsor a visa and have an IMG 25th percentile of 235 or lower. They are ordered by IMG share, highest first.

How to use this

• Use the specialty table to find where a long list remains, then open the specialty page for the programs.
• Check your own year: the residency programs by year of graduation guide has every year.
• Check stated cut-offs in step 2 CK minimum scores and cut-offs by specialty before you apply.
• Confirm with each program that it accepts your graduation year, because limits and visa policies change.