Residency

Internal Medicine at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

Santa Barbara, California
Program website
Accepts J-1 Accepts F-1
IMG requirements · reported by a third party
  • ECFMG certification required by start of residency
    “Holding a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment”
  • Accepts graduates within 5 years of graduation
    “graduated within the past 5 years”
  • 12 months of direct patient care in the United States (required for J-1 visa sponsorship)
    “Only sponsors J-1 visas for applicants who have graduated within the past 5 years and have at least one year of clinical experience practicing direct patient care in the United States”
  • Minimum USMLE Step 2 CK 225
    “Minimum USMLE Step 2 CK score: 225”
per third-party source ↗
Residency facts
See full details on FREIDA
Resident salary
PGY-1 $74,000 PGY-2 $77,000 PGY-3 $81,000
Salary paid by nonprofit Yes Health insurance Fully Paid by Institution
Workload
Avg hours/week (Y1) 65 Longest shift (Y1) 16 hrs Night float Yes Moonlighting Allowed
Residents & selectivity
IMG residents 44.4% (2025 survey) DO 30.6% US-MD 25% Total positions 36 Interviews per spot ~18 Faculty:resident 0.1 Setting Community-based university affiliated NRMP main match Yes
Requirements
Prior US GME No Graduation year Within 5 years of graduation USMLE first attempt required Yes Accepts Step 2 CK from IMGs Yes Recommendation letters 3–4 Applies via ERAS Yes
Accepted activity during gaps Clinical experience in the US
Program features & benefits
Research rotation Optional Preliminary positions Not offered Starts June Applications open 2026-09-28 Interviews begin 2025-11-10
Benefits On-site child care, Moving allowance, Housing stipend, Free parking, On-call meal allowance, iPads, tablets, etc., or technology allowance, Placement assistance upon completion of program into practice, fellowship or academia

From the AMA's 2025 program survey. Confirm with the program.