Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply
1. How do I apply to your program?
Please apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and register for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The official name of our program is Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
2. Is there an application deadline?
Our application deadline is November 15, but we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.
3. Does my application have to be complete before I submit it through ERAS?
No. You can submit additional documents through ERAS when available.
4. How many letters of recommendation should I have?
We require three letters of recommendation, but you are welcome to submit four.
5. Do I have to submit a letter from a neurologist?
It is very helpful but not required to have a letter from a neurologist.
6. Do I have to provide a letter from a chairperson?
No. It is usually best if the letters you provide are from people who know you well and can speak about you in a knowledgeable manner.
7. Is research experience required to apply to your program?
No. Our residents have diverse clinical and academic interests, including basic and clinical research, medical education, global health, patient safety, diversity, and health equality. We are interested in applicants who demonstrate commitment to their passion within any realm of medicine.
8. Do I have to apply separately for a preliminary position?
Yes. Our program is Advanced, not Categorical, meaning that the neurology program is three-years in length. Residents complete a separate medicine preliminary year. We offer 17 guaranteed preliminary medicine positions (8 at BWH, 7 at MGH, and 2 at North Shore Medical Center). The NSMC positions are to accommodate international medical school graduates (IMGs). Applicants must apply separately to the preliminary medicine programs.
9. Can I interview for neurology and medicine during the same visit?
Interviews for the BWH and MGH Medicine programs occur during the same visit as the interview for our program. You will hear from our program regarding an interview prior to hearing from the BWH Medicine and MGH Medicine programs
10. Do you have a cut-off for year of graduation from medical school?
No. However, we strongly prefer applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past 5 years or have been continuously involved with clinical work.
11. Do you have minimum USMLE score requirements?
No. The USMLE performance is just one measure of an applicant’s potential.
12. Do you require USMLE for all candidates?
No. Canadian physicians and Doctors of Osteopathy who are eligible for licensure may substitute documentation of successful completion of LMCC/MCCQE and COMLEX examinations, respectively, in lieu of USMLE examinations.
For Foreign Medical Graduates
1. Do you accept foreign medical graduates?
Yes. We have a strong history of training foreign medical graduates in our program. Diversity is a cornerstone of our residency.
2. Do you require US clinical experience?
No. However, we strongly prefer applicants with US clinical experience. Hands-on clinical rotations are preferable to observerships.
3. Do I have to be ECFMG certified to apply to your program?
Yes. You should be ECFMG certified when applying and must be certified when invited to interview.
4. Do you provide visas for foreign medical graduates?
Yes, we provide both J1 and H1B visas for applicants who match with us. The visa type depends on the individual resident's situation. Applicants usually continue on the type of visa they held during internship (provided to them by the Medicine departments either at our hospitals or at outside institutions). MGB has an International Office, which handles visas and you are not required to retain a lawyer.
If you have additional, unanswered questions, please, contact the program’s Director for Education, Silviya Eaton, at seaton@partners.org.
