All applications are handled through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS.)

The General Surgery Residency Office will not accept paper applications. Once the application is completed, our Admissions Committee reviews the application and applies the specific criteria that we use for granting interviews. Personal interviews are by invitation only and are required for acceptance to our program. Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The deadline for applying to our General Surgery Residency Program is December 1st. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Completed Application Includes:

1. Completed application
2. Personal Statement
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Official transcript from your medical school
5. Dean's Letter
6. Three letters of recommendation (at least one General Surgery)
7. USMLE Board scores, including Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2 Clinical Skills

Any applicant who has not passed United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 AND United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2-Clinical Knowledge AND Clinical Skills by the time the rank list is due, will not be considered for ranking.

If you are an international medical graduate, aside from the above documentation, your application must also include:

1. A copy of your current ECFMG certification.
   
2. Two letters of recommendation must originate from the United States.

There is no minimum USMLE score requirement, there is no requirement regarding length of time since medical school graduation, and prior United States clinical experience is not required, however, two recommendation letters originating from the United States are mandatory.

Allegheny General Hospital accepts only the J-1 visa sponsored through the ECFMG for residency/fellowship training and does not sponsor the H-1B visa.

All interntional medical graduates must hold current and valid ECFMG certification in order for their application to be considered complete. Each applicant must have taken and passed both Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE, including the Step 2 clinical knowledge and clinical skills sections. The English qualifying examination must be current and valid.

Osteopathic Medical School Graduate Additional Information:

If you are an Osteopathic Medical School graduate, aside from the above documentation your application must include: 1. Proof of completion of a one year rotating internship or if still in progress, a letter from your current rotating internship director which should include your status in the program and the anticipated completion date. This internship year is required due to the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine's rule to obtain an unrestricted license. 2. In lieu of or including the USMLE, a copy of COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 CE and PE are required.

If you have any questions regarding Visas, the ECFMG, or obtaining a graduate license for training in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, please contact the Graduate Medical Education Office at 412-359-3166.

Interviews:

Interviews are granted by invitation only.

If you have any other questions regarding our program, the application process, or your application status, please contact Susan Morello at (412) 359-6907 or E-mail her at: smorello@wpahs.org.

Medical Students:

A fourth year medical school rotation through our General Surgery Department or subspecialty elective is available on a first come, first served basis. You may contact Jeff Reed at 412-359-6671 or via E-mail at jreed1@wpahs.org for more information.