How to Apply to the Internal Medicine Residency (2024)

Applications are processed through theElectronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). United States medical students should contact their Dean's Office for access to the ERAS system. You must go through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to apply to our program. The deadline for applications is September 24, 2024 at midnight EST.

2024-2025 Application Process

The deadline for applications is September 24, 2024 at midnight EST. Because we personally review every application, including the dean’s letters, our screening process tends to run later than other programs. All invitations to interview will be granted no later than November 30, 2024.

Step 2 Test Results

Step 2 test results must be submitted in ERAS no later than February 1, 2025.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an important part of your application. In accordance with COVID-era AAIM guidelines, we require a total of 3 letters for the application cycle:

  • Letter from your medical school Dean (the Dean's letter)
  • Letter from the Department of Medicine chair or clerkship director (optional for Preliminary applicants)
  • 1-2 additional letters from individuals who can assess your skills and abilities (typically faculty members with whom you have worked in clinical or research settings)

While we will accept additional letters of recommendation, a maximum of four letters can be transmitted through ERAS.

Applying to Multiple Programs

With multiple tracks available within the Internal Medicine Residency program, we encourage applicants to explore the different opportunities available and apply to the program(s) that best match your interests.

Applicants can apply for the Categorical and Primary Care programs simultaneously. Your application will be reviewed by screeners in each program you have selected. If invited to interview, you will learn more about each program and interview with the respective teams over the course of two subsequent days. You will be considered for each program independently, as each program has a separate match list.

Restrictions: If you select the Physician Scientist Program, Neurology Prelim Program, or general Prelim program, you will only be considered for that program – even if you selected Categorical and/or Primary Care as well.

  • Physician Scientist Program (PSP): The PSP track is intended for applicants planning a career in basic science research. If you select the PSP option on ERAS, your application will only be considered for the Stanbury PSP track and will not be eligible for interviews with other programs. However, if, after interviewing, you decide that Stanbury PSP is not the right fit, you can request to move your application from Stanbury PSP consideration to the traditional Categorical program consideration. Interested applicants should apply directly to the Stanbury PSTP Internal Medicine Residency Program (NRMP # 1261140C2) via ERAS.
  • The Neuro-Preliminary Track option is only for applicants who are applying to the Harvard BWH-MGH Neurology Residency Program and would like to do their preliminary medicine year at Mass General. If you select this option in ERAS, you will only be considered for the Neuro Prelim & Prelim program and your application will not be reviewed by our other IM programs. (Please note: all interviews for this program are managed by the Neurology program, so you must also apply to the main Neurology program separately to be considered for this preliminary program.)
  • The Preliminary Track is for all other applicants looking to complete an intern year in medicine before moving on to other specialties. If you select this option in ERAS, you will only be considered for the Preliminary program and your application will not be reviewed by our other IM programs.

Interviews and Match

Selection for interview is based on a number of factors, including academic and clinical performance, particularly in medicine rotations.

All PGY-1 positions for this program are selected through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). We do NOT offer pre-match positions.

The Internal Medicine NRMP numbers for Match participation are:

  • NRMP #1261140C0| Categorical Track (3 year traditional, ABIM Research Pathway)
  • NRMP #1261140P1| Neuro-Preliminary Track (1 year in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140P0| Preliminary Track (1 year in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140M0| Primary Care Track (3 years in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140C2 | Stanbury PSP (3 years in duration)

To apply to the Harvard Mass General Med/Peds Program, please visitHarvard Mass General Med-Peds.

Related Links:

2024-2025 Interview Dates

Categorical Interview Days

  • November 4, 2024 (Monday) [late start]
  • November 8, 2024 (Friday)
  • November 15, 2024 (Friday)
  • November 19, 2024 (Tuesday)
  • November 21, 2024 (Thursday)
  • November 26, 2024 (Tuesday)
  • December 2, 2024 (Monday)
  • December 10, 2024 (Tuesday) [late start]
  • December 12, 2024 (Thursday)
  • December 17, 2024 (Tuesday)
  • December 20, 2024 (Friday)
  • January 7, 2025 (Tuesday)
  • January 10, 2025 (Friday)

Primary Care Interview Days (both days required)

  • November 18, 2024 & November 19, 2024 (Monday & Tuesday)
  • November 25, 2024 & November 26, 2024(Monday & Tuesday)
  • December 9, 2024 & November 10, 2024 [late start] (Monday & Tuesday)
  • December 16, 2024 & December 17, 2024 (Monday & Tuesday)
  • January 6, 2025 & January 7, 2025 (Monday & Tuesday)

Physician Scientist Program (both days required)

  • November 4, 2024 & November 5, 2024 [late start] (Monday & Tuesday)
  • November 21, 2024 & November 22, 2024 (Thursday & Friday)
  • December 2, 2024 & December 3, 2024(Monday & Tuesday)
  • December 12, 2024 & December 13, 2024 (Thursday & Friday)

Preliminary Program

  • November 14, 2024 (Thursday)
  • December 6, 2024 (Friday)
  • December 19, 2024 (Thursday)
  • January 17, 2024 (Friday)

Interview Day Synopsis

All interviews will be conducted virtually. Afternoon and morning start times will be offered for Categorical, Primary Care and PSP interview days in order to accommodate time zone differences and other personal obligations.

In order to tailor the interview day to the applicants’ interests, the actual agenda varies based on which program you have applied to. However, all candidates interviewing with the Mass General Department of Medicine will:

  • Learn more about training at Mass General, including requirements specific to that program
  • Have 1 or more interviews with faculty (1-1 interview for prelim and neuro; Team and 1-1 interviews for Categorical, Primary Care and PSP)
  • Join a round table discussion with key residency leadership
  • Join noon conferences with current residents
  • Participate in a Questions & Answer Panel with residents, offering candidates the opportunity to ask anonymous questions

Requirements for International Medical Graduates

International medical graduates (IMGs) must apply for residency through ERAS by contacting theEducational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Mass General receives almost 4,000 applications from around the world each year. Because of the great number of highly qualified applicants, very few international medical graduates are accepted into the residency program. There are typically six to ten international medical graduates in our program of about 210 residents.

Requirements for Foreign Medical Graduates

  • Only those with outstanding letters of recommendation and clerkship-level clinical experiences or significant research experience in the United States or Canada will be considered for interviews
  • United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)
    • Scores of240or higher on Step 1 and Step 2
    • Foreign-educated physicians who seek to obtain H-1B status and who will perform direct patient care must pass the additional Step 3 of the USMLE or must have completed the FLEX or NBME exams. A combination of the above exams is NOT acceptable by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for purposes of an H-1B petition, although a combination may be acceptable for a medical license in certain states
  • ECFMG certification must be received on or before January 1, 2025
  • Graduates eligible forJ-1 Visastatus sponsored through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
  • We would support anH-1B Visaif the applicant is accepted into the program
  • The employment start date for OPT or Visa paperwork is June 10, 2025

Related Information

Away Rotations and Observerships

Away Rotations (for medical students)

If you are a medical student wishing to do an away rotation for credits at Mass General, this may be arranged through theHarvard Medical School Registrar's Office.

Observerships

The Department of Medicine does not offer observerships.

How to Apply to the Internal Medicine Residency (2024)

FAQs

How to answer why internal medicine during residency interview? ›

Sample Answer

Internal medicine is a complex field, and I knew that if I was going to be an internist, I needed a program which made sense for me and for that discipline. Your program fits my criteria, as I believe it will prepare me for internal medicine, and I think I am ideally suited to this environment.

How many interviews are enough for internal medicine residency? ›

Dr. Allen said that University of Washington tells students that 15 interviews is a good number to aim for. So, an early invitation from a school in the middle of your list—depending on how long your list is—may be one you should strongly consider accepting.

How hard is it to get into internal medicine residency? ›

Are Internal Medicine residency programs competitive? Fortunately no—IM residencies are among the least competitive programs, and are quite accessible to DO students as well, although to a lesser extent than those in Family Medicine.

How to ace your internal medicine interview? ›

People love stories, so turn your journey into a convincing narrative of why you want to do internal medicine, what you've learned from your experiences, and why you would be a good fit. Be broad and cover CAMP: Clinical, Academic, Managerial, Personal.

How can I increase my chances of matching residency? ›

This involves meeting residency requirements, excelling in medical school, and gaining relevant clinical experience. Additionally, participating in extracurricular activities, research, and community service can set you apart from other candidates.

What do internal medicine residencies look for in applicants? ›

Program directors want to see that you are able to keep up academically in a large field. Make sure to address failed exam attempts, as they can raise concerns about your application. The personal statement appears to be the least important factor in obtaining an interview for Internal Medicine.

Is 7 interviews enough to match? ›

If you have 5 interviews – 7 is better. Once you're past 8, you should feel pretty good about matching but there is still a 10% chance you don't match as a U.S. IMG and a 20% chance you don't match as a Non-U.S. IMG. At RIQ, our candidates match at an 80% rate – which is equivalent to getting 8 interviews.

How many residency interviews to guarantee a match? ›

The probability of matching is related to the number of contiguous ranks. For allopathic and osteopathic senior medical students, the probability of matching is 80% at around 6–7 contiguous ranks and becomes > 95% at around 11–12. Therefore, the typical applicant should aim for 11–12 interviews.

How many interviews does the average MD applicant get? ›

When applying to med school, the majority of applicants will get around one to three interviews. It also depends on things like: Your qualifications, like your MCAT/GPA scores. The school's admissions process.

What doctor has the easiest residency? ›

If we're talking “easy” in terms of how long does it take to become a doctor, then the answer is a family doctor or internist, which requires a shorter residency period than other specialties.

How to stand out for internal medicine residency? ›

In order to make your personal statement stand out, you should include detailed anecdotes or stories that are unique to you and can demonstrate particular qualities that you possess or illustrate how you came to recognize your passion for your chosen specialty.

Why did you choose internal medicine residency? ›

One of the standout features of IM is the freedom to choose between maintaining a broad focus or delving into a specialized area. This flexibility is a testament to the adaptability of the field, allowing IM physicians to pivot and evolve in their careers as their passions and interests develop.

How to answer why should we choose your residency? ›

Remember to keep structure and focus in mind but most of all, to include the two primary ideas: connect yourself to the discipline and focus you have chosen and provide proof of your matching with the program you are applying to. Specificity will win the day with your answers.

How to answer why you are interested in an internal position? ›

It's important to emphasize that my interest in this role is because I believe my skills have outgrown my current position and I feel I can contribute more in this new role. However, I still enjoy the tasks of my current job and would still pursue other chances to make meaningful contributions to the department.

Why would you be referred to internal medicine? ›

Internists routinely see patients with conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic lung disease. An internist may consult with doctors in other fields of medicine, or may be called to consult on a patient by another specialist.

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