Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Surgery General Surgery Training Program offers seven categorical and up to eight preliminary residency positions. Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Categorical Residency

The deadline for receipt of completed application files is September 30th. A complete application package includes:

• ERAS application form
• Personal statement
• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) score report
• Dean's letter
• Transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation

One of the letters of recommendation is expected from the chairman of the Department of Surgery at your medical school. If unable to secure such a letter, please note the reason why in your application.

Notification of Interview Decisions

Completed files will be reviewed by the program director. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Invitations for interview will be issued late October/early November through thalamus. We hold five to six interview dates throughout November, December, and January. All dates will be filled on a "first come, first served" basis as RSVP's to the invitation are received through thalamus. 

Interview Day

Each interview day will have an optional social get-together with our residents the evening prior. The interview day will have a morning session and an afternoon session. The interview day will include a welcome, five interviews(one of which will be with the Chairman), program director presentations, an adminstrative chief presenation, and a presenation on Providence. Throughout the day residents and faculty are available for questions and there is an exit session with the Chairman for any final questions. 

Preliminary Residency

The General Surgery Training Program offers up to eight PGY-1 preliminary (one-year) residency positions. Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Those entering the match for subspecialties such radiology, ophthalmology, and urology, among others, might consider surgery for their prerequisite year. Others who are undecided as to their final career may also choose surgery for their internship prior to finalizing their residency plans.

The deadline for receipt of completed application files is December 1st. A complete application package includes:

• ERAS application form
• Personal statement
• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) score report
• Dean's letter
• Transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation

International applicants

International applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A graduation date from medical school within the past five years
• A score of 225 or higher on USMLE Step 1 or PASS
• A minimum of six months clinical experience in the United States (some exceptions will be accepted)
  (preferably with letters of recommendation from U.S. physicians)
• Proof of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification prior to submission of the rank list.

Completed files will be reviewed by the program director beginning in December. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Invitations for phone interviews will go out by e-mail or via thalamus during the month of January to all those selected.

Answers to commonly asked questions

1. Interns in preliminary positions are first considered for categorical positions that open up during the year, if any. Excellent performance throughout the year is expected for such consideration.

2. Prior surgical training in another country is not recognized and given credit for in the U.S. Only training from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) will be allowable toward the total number of years required for certification by the American Board of Surgery.

3. Rhode Island Hospital sponsors J-1 clinical visas for foreign medical graduates.