Education & Training | Residency | Apply | FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently asked questions for PGY I applicants

How many openings do you have for the 2012-2013 academic year?: We anticipate accepting twelve PGY1 residents into our program.collapse

How do I go about applying?: All applications for PGY1 positions must be submitted through your Medical School’s Dean of Student Affairs Office or, if you are a graduate of a non-U.S. medical college, through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates “ECFMG” office (www.ecfmg.org).collapse

Do I need to submit my application electronically?: Yes, we only accept applications that are submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service “ERAS” (www.aamc.org/eras).collapse

How many letters of recommendation are required?: At least three.
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Do you accept applications outside the Match system?: No, all of our PGY1 positions will be filled through the National Residency Matching Program “NRMP”.collapse

Is there a cut-off date for graduation from medical school?: No. We consider each application on an individual basis. However, length of time away from clinical practice is considered important.collapse

The ERAS application asks me to include a personal statement. What type of information should I include and how long should it be?: The personal statement should be about 500 words in length. Tell us a little bit about yourself – your interests, experiences and aspirations. It would also be helpful to describe your reasons, both professional and personal, for choosing the field of psychiatry.collapse

Is there additional information that I should include in my application beyond what is required by ERAS?: If you are part of a couples match, please let us know the name and specialty of the other person. Also, let us know if you are interested in being considered for the Neuroscience Research Training Program. See our website for more details (www.medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry). This information can be included in your personal statement.collapse

Is there a deadline for submitting applications?: ERAS allows applicants to begin applying to programs on September 1^st. We begin reviewing applications in September and begin conducting interviews in early to mid November. We have no formal deadline for the submission of applications, but when our available interview slots have been filled, we no longer read applications. This includes applications that arrived early but were incomplete.collapse

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Frequently asked questions from graduates of non-U.S. medical colleges

Do I need an ECFMG certificate in order to apply?: Yes, unless you have not yet graduated from medical school. If you have graduated, you must be ECFMG certified at the time you submit your application in order for us to read your application and decide whether to grant you an interview. We request that you submit a copy of your ECFMG certificate with your application.collapse

Is there a cut-off score for the USMLE exams?: We have no minimum score requirement, but we typically require that you pass without any failures all the steps of the USMLE that you have taken so far. We will not consider your application if you have taken the USMLE steps multiple times, even if you have subsequently passed. We request that you submit the results of your USMLE exams with your application.collapse

Do you require clinical experience in the US?: Yes, we require supervised clinical experience of at least one month in the United States along with reference letters from the site supervisors. Although it is preferable, we do not require that the experience be in psychiatry.collapse

Do you sponsor visas?: We sponsor H-1B visas and accept applicants on J-1 visas granted through the ECFMG office.collapse

What other documentation is required with my application?: We request that you submit a copy of your medical school diploma.collapse

Do you have international medical graduates in your program?: Yes, we do.collapse

Do you offer externships or observerships?: No, we do not.collapse

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Frequently asked questions regarding applications for advanced positions

Do you have openings for PGY2 residents?: Yes, we typically accept four residents for the PGY2 year.collapse

How do I apply for a PGY2 position?: Applications for these positions may be submitted through ERAS or you may submit an application to us directly.collapse

The application form asks me to attach a personal statement. What type of information should I include and how long should it be?: The personal statement should be typewritten and be about 500 words in length. Tell us a little bit about yourself – your interests, experiences and aspirations. It would also be helpful to describe your reasons, both professional and personal, for choosing the field of psychiatry.collapse

What other information should I submit with my application?

The following documents should be requested by you, but sent to us directly from the sources:

Minimum of three letters of reference from medical school or residency faculty members familiar with your work;
Your medical school transcript;
Your Dean’s letter from your medical school; and
Your USMLE scores.

Please note that, before we can schedule you for an interview, we must be assured that you have spoken to your current program director and he or she has given you permission to talk with us. It is very important that we do not interfere with your contractual obligations to your current program.collapse

Do you have openings for residents beyond the second year?: Occasionally, we have openings for more advanced positions. Please contact us for more information.collapse