Application Information

Requirements

The Department of Neurology has a formal policy and procedure for resident selection. To be eligible for an appointment as Housestaff at the University of Utah, School of Medicine Department of Neurology, an applicant must fall within one of the following three categories:

Be a graduate of a US or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
Be a graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine within the United States as accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Be a graduate of a medical school outside of the United States who meets one or more of the following qualifications:
1. Has a current, valid ECFMG (Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certificate at the time of application to the residency program
2. Completion of at least one year of post graduate training in internal medicine in the United States at the time of application to the residency program
3. A letter of reference from the internal medicine program director
4. Two additional letters of reference from faculty in the internal medicine or neurology program
5. Only J-1 visas are accepted for training
6. Has a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction
7. Is a graduate of a medical school outside the United States who has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by a LCME-accredited medical school.

All PGY1 positions for graduates right out of medical school will be offered following the guidelines and policies as established by the National Resident Matching Program.

All PGY1 applicants must have passed Step I and II- both CS and CK of USMLE prior to the time they will begin training.

All PGY2 and PGY3 (and above) applicants must have passed Step I, II - both CS and CK, and III of USMLE prior to the time they will begin training.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit an application through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service). Each applicant will receive an application packet from the department, which includes the following:

Introduction letters from the department chair and program director
University of Utah Department of Neurology Application
Instructions for submitting the application and required documentation
Neurology Residency Program brochure
Graduate Medical Education brochure
General information about Salt Lake City (i.e., the Salt Lake Visitor's Guide)
International Medical Graduates form to sign who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents, indicating they will obtain a J-1 visa prior training commencement if accepted/matched into this program
Clear documentation stating, "The University of Utah School of Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or veteran's status."

The following documentation is required to complete the application:

ERAS application
Curriculum Vitae and Personal Statement
USMLE scores, Steps 1 & 2 – both CS and CK (Step 3 if PGY2 or above)
Dean's letter and transcripts
Three letters of recommendation

M.D.'s and D.O.'s must include the following items in addition to the above:

Letter from current or past program director
Notarized proof of graduation from medical school with date of graduation

International Medical Graduates must include the following in addition to the above:

Copy of green card, visa (J-1), or documentation of U.S. citizenship
Valid ECFMG certificate with C.S.A. certification

Application packets are reviewed via criteria set forth by the ACGME Program Requirements, the Resident Recruitment Committee and this institution. Candidates are selected based on their preparedness, ability, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities, such as motivation and integrity. Applicants who meet these criteria are reviewed by a designated committee member. Based on the quality of the application packet and academic credentials, the applicant may be invited for an interview. On the interview day, applicants receive an informational packet,* and are interviewed by members of the faculty (including Resident Recruitment Committee members, the program director and the departmental chair, when available). All applicants meet with residents. Applicants interested in a PGY1 position are given information regarding the non-categorical PGY1 year in internal medicine year at the University of Utah, and are scheduled to attend the Internal Medicine overview session presented by the Internal Medicine department, when possible. At the conclusion of the interview day, the interviewers complete a standard evaluation form for each applicant interviewed. The results are tallied and form the basis of the preliminary rank order. Final match rank order is based on preliminary ranking and review by the Resident Recruitment Committee. A match list is generated and submitted to the NRMP Strict compliance with the rules of the match is maintained throughout the selection process. On occasion, other applicants may interview outside the match, often to fill a PGY2 position. The same selection policy pertains to these applicants.

The formulation of a rank list for resident selection is based upon the following:
Performance in medical school, as evidenced by their official transcript
Performance in the basic and clinical science years, as evidenced by the Dean's Letter
Performance on the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations
Three letters of reference from faculty at their medical school, preferentially one written by the chair of neurology at their school
Interviews in the Department of Neurology at the University of Utah

The Resident Recruitment Committee, consisting of the departmental chair, the residency program director, and members from the neurology department who represent University Hospital, Primary Children's Medical Center, and the Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Hospital, review all information on candidates and construct the match list.

All selected candidates will be required to comply with Health Sciences Center Drug Testing Policy and criminal background check policies.

* The Interview Day Informational Packet includes:
Itinerary
Welcome letter from program director
Examples of the resident rotation schedule, the monthly call schedule, & monthly conference schedule
Neurology Standards of Performance
Work hours and Supervision Policies
Call policy
Vacation / Leave policy
Houseofficer contract
Stipend memo
Liability coverage policy
Worker's compensation policy and procedure
Benefits summary
Moonlighting information
UUHSC Due Process policy
Life in the Valley, a Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce publication
Form for International Medical Graduates (required) to sign who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents indicating they will obtain a J-1 visa before beginning training if accepted/matched into this program.