Application Information

Application Deadline

• November 1^st is the application deadline for our Categorical, Physician Scientist, and Primary Care programs. We strongly encourage applicants to all of these programs to submit their applications by the end of September.
• December 1^st is the application deadline for our Preliminary Medicine program. We strongly encourage all applicants to submit their applications by the end of October.

How to Apply- Program Options

The University of Rochester Internal Medicine Residency Program accepts PGY-1 applications and supporting documents only through ERAS®, the Electronic Residency Application Service. We select interviewed candidates for PGY1 positions only through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). We do not offer positions outside the match.

The University of Rochester Department of Internal Medicine offers 4 separate training program options with separate NRMP IDs (shown below): a three-year categorical program, a two-year ABIM physician scientist training program (PSTP), a three-year primary care program, and a one-year preliminary medicine program.

Application Requirements

• Applicants should be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or J-1 visa-sponsored by the ECFMG. We generally do not accept H1-B visas or applications with “pending permanent residency” status. 
• Successful applicants have completed medical school graduation within 3 years of application.
• We welcome applications from candidates in the couples’ match.

Documents Required of All Applicants

The documents listed below must be submitted electronically in order to be eligible for an interview invitation for any of our programs.

• ERAS Common Application Form
• Official Medical School Transcript
• Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
• A Department of Medicine or Structured Evaluative Letter (SEL) from the chair or designee (not required for Preliminary Program applicants).
• A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation, with at least one from an internal medicine faculty member. If no Department of Medicine Letter/SEL is available at your medical school, please submit at least three (3) letters of recommendation.
• Personal Statement
• USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts*

*NOTE: Successful completion of USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 is required for interview invitation, and successful completion of USMLE Step 2 or COMLEX Level 2 is required to be ranked.

ABIM Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) Candidates

• Successful applicants for this highly competitive program will have strong medical school academic and clinical credentials. In addition, they must have completed substantive research within an area of focus with resulting publications. Most successful applicants have completed a PhD or a Master’s degree, or have taken additional years in medical school for mentored research.
• In addition to the documents above, applicants applying to the PSTP program must include a detailed letter from a research mentor describing their research and their potential to be an independent researcher in the future.
• PSTP applicants being considered for interview after preliminary screening will be contacted and asked to submit a brief supplemental application highlighting their research interests, experience, and the specialty they are interested in pursuing.
• For additional detail about the application process for PSTP applicants please visit the Physician Scientist Training Program applicant information page.

International Medical Graduates

• In addition to the above requirements, applicants who are international medical graduates must meet the following criteria:
• Graduation from a medical school that is certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) within the past 3 years. ECFMG certificate is required to be ranked.
• Adherence with the New York State 12-Week Rule. This law mandates that international medical graduates complete no more than 12 of their 130 weeks of required medical education curriculum outside the country where their medical school is located to be eligible to train in a New York State residency program. Graduates from international medical schools that have completed a pre-approval process to enable their students to complete any amount of training outside their country are exempt. More details and a list of exempt schools can be found on the URMC GME Website or the NYS Office of Professions Website.
• Prior hands-on direct clinical experience in a United States or Canadian accredited teaching hospital. Observerships or externships without direct clinical responsibility for patients do not meet this criterion.
• Successful completion of USMLE Step I and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exams with passing scores on the first attempt. USMLE Step 3 completion is not required to apply.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.