How to Apply for the IR Fellowship

Overview

We currently have 2 approved positions in our Interventional Radiology Independent program. We strive to compose a diverse class of trainees that have unique talents and perspectives to enrich our program. We encourage qualified applicants from all regions of the country with a variety of backgrounds to apply. University of Utah Health is a wonderful place to train!

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) and only accept applications and supporting documents via the Electronic Resident Application Service® (ERAS®). Applications must be completed in full prior to your interview. Please see our eligibility requirements. The preferred application deadline for our program is December 15th. Applications submitted after this date may be considered, but interview invitations will be subject to availability.

To process your application, we require the materials listed below:

Common ERAS® Application Form
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Statement
Medical School Transcript
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
All United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) Scores*
Three Letters of Recommendation
- If candidate is in or has completed an ESIR qualifying year, one letter must be from your current/most recent program director

* COMLEX scores may be substituted for USMLE ® scores.

Interviews are offered based on review of applications by the selection committee. Candidates are selected on the basis of in-depth application review and the results of personal interviews with our residents and selection committee.

If you have been selected to interview with our program, you will receive an email invitation. Please see the Interviews section below for further details.

Selection Criteria

Our selection committee reviewing applications considers the most important aspects to be performance on USMLE's, research experiences, leadership qualities, potential for academic career, outstanding letters of recommendation and formative life experiences. None of these are requirements and we believe in reviewing applications holistically as applicants may excel in some particular areas.

General characteristics* of applicants that have matched to our program include: U.S. and Canadian MD graduates, USMLE Step 1 pass on first attempt (as there is no longer a Step 1 score), Step 2 score of 250 or higher, research experiences, volunteer experiences, and personal characteristics demonstrating: determination, personal/professional growth mindset, maturity, excellent communication and ability to adapt.

*None of these are requirements for our program but are listed here to provide a general sense of characteristics of successful applicants.

Eligibility

Prior to appointment in the Independent Program, residents must complete a Diagnostic Radiology program that satisfies the following requirements:

All prerequisite post-graduate clinical education required for initial entry or transfer into ACGME-accredited residency programs must be completed in ACGME-accredited residency programs, AOA-approved residency programs, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency programs located in Canada, or in residency programs with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation.
All entering residents must be eligible to take the ABR Core Examination or the AOBR Diagnostic Radiology Combined Physics and Diagnostic Imaging Written Exam.
To be eligible for appointment in the second year of education in an Independent Program, residents must have completed an Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) curriculum in a Diagnostic Radiology Program that has prior approval from the Review Committee for ESIR
- Residents must have completed 11 Interventional Radiology or Interventional Radiology-related rotations, one ICU rotation, and at least 500 image-guided procedures within the domain of Interventional Radiology during their Diagnostic Radiology Residency (a rotation is defined as an experience of at least four weeks in duration).

Interviews

We have pledged to follow the fellowship embargo program proposed by the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD). We are committed to a fair fellowship application process that allows residents the time to make an informed decision about their sub-specialty training.

Per AAMC and Association of Program Directors in Radiology recommendations, we will be conducting interviews virtually this year in February rather than in-person interviews. If you are selected to interview with our program, you will receive an email invitation through Thalamus, usually in mid-December.

Interviews are typically held on Thursdays, offering two sessions per day as outlined below. Each session provides opportunities to meet with multiple faculty members and trainees.

We offer interview slots in the following time frames:

AM: 7:45am MST – 11:00am MST
PM: 10:30am MST – 1:45pm MST

Sample Regular Interview Day Schedule:

7:45am/10:30am Program Director Program Overview and Welcome

8:00am/10:45am Faculty Interviews

10:00am/12:45pm Fellow Social

11:00am/1:45pm Interview Day Conclusion

Post-Interview Communication

The interview day is designed to provide you with a clear picture of our training program and includes multiple opportunities to ask questions of our trainees, program leadership, and faculty. In the spirit of the fairness to all applicants, post-interview communications or second look visits will not impact an applicant’s ranking. On interview day, applicants will be provided contact information for program representatives for questions that arise after the interview.

Thank You Notes

Thank you notes are not necessary, will have no bearing on ranking, and such communications will not routinely receive a reply.

In Person Visits

In person visits are neither required nor encouraged. We know making decision about training can be difficult so if you choose to come visit, you would be welcome. In order to maintain equity for all applicants, you will not be able to meet with faculty members of the selection committee or the program directors during your visit nor will they be notified of your visit. Contact the residency manager if you are interested in arranging a visit.

This policy is in alignment with the NRMP® rules and Match Communication Code of Conduct.

NRMP Codes

NRMP ® Code	Program Name	Notes
1732415F0	Interventional Radiology – Independent	1-2 year program depending on previous exposure to Interventional Radiology
1732416A0	Interventional Radiology – Integrated	5 year program
1732420A0	Diagnostic Radiology	4 year program
1732420C0	Diagnostic Radiology	5 year program. Preliminary Internal Medicine year is included in the 4-year University of Utah Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program. Therefore, interviewing with and ranking the Internal Medicine prelim track separately is not necessary.

International Students

International Medical Graduates

Must be ECFMG certified before training begins on July 1.
Must have a clinical J-1 visa before training begins on July 1.
Must have a complete ERAS application.

We encourage outstanding applicants to apply, as we value a wide range of talents and perspectives in our program.
Due to the large number of applications, the following traits are essential to be considered for an interview: