The Path to Residency in the United States: Which Specialties Did Young Doctors Choose in 2025?

Every March in the United States, Match Day (Residency Placement Day) shapes the careers of thousands of medical students while offering clues about the future of the healthcare system. The 2025 Match data showed rising popularity in some specialties and warning signs in others.

Looking beyond the numbers is particularly important for health policy and for understanding what motivates young doctors' decisions.

Record Applications: 52498 Candidates Compete

In 2025, registrations for the Match reached an all-time high of 52498. Of these candidates, 47208 actively competed for 43237 positions. Both candidate and position numbers increased by 4% over the previous year. This growth indicates expanding demand for healthcare workers and growing medical school capacity in the United States.

Popular Specialties: Anesthesiology, Dermatology, and Psychiatry Remain on Top

Anesthesiology and dermatology were again among the most sought-after specialties, as they have been for years.

Psychiatry has also become a rising star in recent years. In 2025, 2380 of 2388 positions were filled, representing 127 more positions and 131 more placements than in 2024.

Why Is Anesthesiology So Popular?

Anesthesiology has become attractive to medical students for several reasons:

• High pay: Average annual earnings range from 400000-450000 dollars.

• Prestige and intellectual satisfaction: Critical decisions, technological equipment, and opportunities to work across disciplines.

• More regular working hours: More predictable hours, particularly in the private sector.

• Diverse work settings: Options include operating rooms, intensive care, labor and delivery units, and pain clinics.

• Less exposure to AI: Its procedural intensity makes it difficult to “replace” with artificial intelligence in the short term.

Notable Fill Rates in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Despite growing legal pressure against abortion, interest in obstetrics and gynecology has not declined. Only one of 1587 positions remained unfilled.

This reflects young doctors' interest in reproductive health and social justice .

Warning Signs in Pediatrics and Family Medicine

• Pediatrics: 2988 of 3135 positions were filled. Interest among graduates from the United States continues to decline.

• Family Medicine: The fill rate fell from 88% to 85%, despite an increase in available positions.

Students in the United States have shown declining interest in family medicine for years , and there are not enough other candidates to fill the gap.

Internal Medicine: Highly Popular, but Its Primary Care Role Is Weakening

Internal medicine remains the specialty with the most positions: 97% of 11750 positions were filled. However, primary care internal medicine positions fell to just 411, continuing a decline over 5 years.

One-third of internal medicine placements were filled by international medical graduates (IMGs) , again highlighting the critical role of immigrant physicians in the American healthcare system.

Is AI Affecting Specialty Choices?

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI), led by ChatGPT, has begun to influence many areas of medicine. How this is shaping specialty choices remains debated:

• Decision-support systems: AI may have a substantial impact in data-driven fields such as internal medicine, radiology, and dermatology.

• Procedural specialties: Hands-on fields such as surgery and anesthesiology are viewed as “safer havens” in the short term.

• Are graduates aware?: Some students consider AI's effects, but most still see them as distant.

As you also noted, interest in decision-heavy specialties may be declining, while interest in procedure-heavy fields with substantial human contact is increasing.

An Alternative Process Continues for Unmatched Applicants

For candidates who did not match, the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) reopened applications for 2521 unfilled positions.

Conclusion: Young Doctors' Choices Reflect the System as Well as Their Interests

The 2025 Match results reveal not only individual career paths but also the healthcare system's strengths and weaknesses.

• Specialties offering high pay and a more predictable lifestyle are gaining popularity.

• Warning bells are ringing in primary care.

• Although AI and digital transformation influence decision-making, they are not yet powerful enough to determine specialty choices.

These findings offer important guidance for shaping health policy in the coming years.

A Residency Training Guide for Turkish Medical Students in the United States

Overview: Is Residency Training in the United States Possible?

Yes. Graduates of medical schools in Türkiye can undertake residency training in the United States if they meet the necessary requirements.

The process generally involves taking the USMLE exams, registering in the application system, interviewing, and matching on Match Day .

1. USMLE Exams: The Key to Residency in the United States

To undertake residency training in the United States, you must first pass these two exams:

Recommendation: Completing Step 1 and Step 2 CK before graduation speeds up the process.

2. ECFMG Certification: Evidence of Recognition

All physicians who graduated outside the United States must obtain ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification.

This certification indicates that your medical school is recognized by the United States.

• Most medical schools in Türkiye are included on this list.

3. Applying Through ERAS: The Gateway to Residency Programs

Applications are submitted through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) .

Required Documents:

• USMLE scores

• Curriculum vitae (CV)

• Letters of recommendation (LORs, usually 3)

• Personal statement

• Transcript (academic record)

• Dean’s Letter (MSPE)

4. Interviews: Assessing Personal Fit

After your ERAS application, some programs invite you to an online or in-person interview .

This stage assesses your communication skills and suitability for the program.

5. NRMP and The Match: The Matching System

• NRMP (National Resident Matching Program) is used to submit rank-order preferences.

• Programs and candidates both enter their preferences.

• Results are announced in March on “Match Day.”

• If you do not match, you can apply through SOAP (supplemental placement).

6. Visa and Immigration Process

• The most common visa type: J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa)

• Alternative: H-1B (a more difficult but more permanent option)

J-1 visas require ECFMG sponsorship.

For H-1B, you must have passed Step 3 beforehand.

7. Suggested Roadmap for Turkish Students

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is my English good enough?

Advanced English is required for the USMLE, ERAS, and interview process. Clinical communication skills are particularly important.

2. Can I match without a clinical placement?

Theoretically, yes, but an observership or research experience in the United States substantially increases your chances of matching.

3. Which specialties offer better chances?

Chances are higher in fields less sought after by graduates from the United States, such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry .

Competition is tougher in popular specialties such as anesthesiology, dermatology, and radiology.

Conclusion: Difficult, but Definitely Achievable

Residency training in the United States is a long, demanding, but highly professional and rewarding process.

Many physicians from Türkiye have successfully completed this process and now work as residents and specialists in the United States.