After medical school, each student is required to complete a residency program which can be three-seven years.

Applicant: Once you are in medical school, you will eventually begin thinking about the residency program you would like to enter. As with applying to medical school, you will spend a portion of medical school devoted to enhancing your credentials for the residency application. You will find that many things you did to get into medical school, you will similarly do to enter into residency. If you are a competitive applicant with excellent grades, excellent education and top USMLE scores then you will have many residency programs vying for your attention. Competitive specialty programs use the USMLE I to make a preliminary assessment of students they will interview. Low income urban areas or rural areas tend to have more residency positions available.

NRMP: National Residency Match Program (NRMP) is the primary match program used by a majority of hospitals for residency programs. The American Medical Association established the Freida online database to obtain information about residency programs. The deadline to apply for a residency program is November 1.  It is not mandatory to apply through the NRMP but it is highly recommended. Not all hospitals have their residency program listed through NRMP so it is your responsibility to contact those schools for application guidelines.  If you do not receive a position in the NRMP match program, you may contact the hospitals directly about any vacancies in their program. Make sure you are available during the time of the match to make phone calls to programs with vacancies.

ERAS: In completing the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) make sure the NRMP number is indicated properly, all areas are filled out completely and all the materials are submitted promptly. The medical school transcripts and the test scores are the most important part of the application. The following are other items to consider for the ERAS:

1. Obtain passport photo 2.5 in x 3.5 in.
2. Be registered with the NRMP.
3. Curriculum vitae. Highlight all of your experiences. The quality of the experience is more distinctive than quantity.
4. Medical school transcripts.
5. Three letters of recommendation. (Two from physicians at the medical school. Some require a letter from the dean of the medical school.)
6. USMLE 1 and 2.
7. ECFMG certificate if a graduate of a foreign medical school.

Interview: The interview usually consists of a full day of mini sessions with various members of the hospital faculty/students. Although problem based medical sessions may arise it is in your best interest to be fully prepared for any type of medical question. The interview is basically to test your aptitude as well as your suitability for the residency program. Obtain business cards of those you come in contact with. If they offer you help or interview you, send them a thank you card after the interview.

Questions for Residency Programs:

1. When will I receive my first salary?
2. Do I even receive a salary?
3. Does the hospital provide vacation days/sick days? Do you provide health insurance?
4. Will I be expected to know another language when interacting with patients?
5. What is the call schedule? Must I stay on site to take call or can I take call from home?
6. Is there any housing adjacent to the hospital?
7. Are there other requirements such as a research project or presentations?

Foreign Medical School Graduates

U.S. Citizens:

If you are in the U.S. on a visa without acceptance into a residency program it is important to improve upon your credentials. Consider doing research work, volunteering at a hospital or taking some courses to improve your curriculum vitae. For the ERAS, hospital or research experience in a U.S. medical facility is vital in order to obtain a recommendation from medical faculty. Recommendations from foreign medical schools do not appear as competitive as those from U.S. medical schools/hospitals. As with any recommendation, the best recommendation is from someone who can attest to your strong credentials.

Non-Citizens:

You must be diligent about keeping your deadlines organized and your visa status should be confirmed before interviews.  If you are applying from outside the U.S, the ECFMG must receive your materials in time to grant you a J1 visa. Some schools do not sponsor H-1 visas. Once you are accepted into a residency program in the United States it is important to have your social security card for employment.

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