Requirements For US Residency Training Programs Part II
Another requirement for that medical students and graduates should know prior to applying to residency is their Visa status. Some hospital programs only accept people who are United States citizens and permanent residents, and there are others that sponsor work Visas. There are various types of Visas, such as J1 Visas, so make sure you verify with each hospital prior to applying which they offer and know which you may require.
Graduation year is a critical factor to know when applying for residency. There are some programs that only consider candidates that have just graduated from medical school, and then there are others that have a span of years from graduation that they still consider. A limited number of hospital programs have no cut-off years since graduation from medical school.
A crucial requirement that must be known is your US clinical experience. Despite the fact that only a handful of residency programs do not require any clinical experience in a hospital setting in the United States, most programs do. This can range from doing a clinical rotation during medical school to a job in your post-graduate years. Some hospitals do not consider Observerships as clinical experience, but it can give you the exposure you may need in order to become considered for their residency program. Check with the residency program to ensure you have fulfilled the recommended time of experience.
Reputable letters of recommendation are critical when being considered for residency. Always try to get letters written by practicing physicians in the United States, preferably from your Program Directors. To get up to date information regarding this, follow me on Facebook. These letters will carry more weight than those written by other medical professionals. It would be beneficial if they would discuss your strengths in a clinical setting and note that if they could, they would hire you to work for them.
These are all variables that Program Directors and Coordinators consider when students apply to their medical residency training programs through the Electronic Residency Application Process (ERAS). Application season begins on September 15 each year and closes on May 31. Do not forget to check for deadlines to ensure your application is received. Also review each of these requirements to make sure you are the best fit for the program of your choice. Again verify with each residency program, either by phone or website, to ensure you meet each of their minimum requirements, so you can be considered for an interview.