Frequenty Asked Questions

  1. When is the deadline for my application?

    The application deadline is November 1st prior to the summer of desired matriculation. However, we begin scheduling interviews for qualified applicants soon after ERAS applications are made available to us, and we will have more flexibility to accommodate your schedule if your application is complete sooner. We recommend submitted your completed application as early as possible.

  2. Do you have a USMLE score requirement?

    No. Each application is reviewed independently.

  3. When can I expect to receive an invitation if I have been selected to interview?

    This year, programs are able to access applications starting on September 28. We will begin to send invitations for interviews to applicants on October 23, and will continue to send invitations on a rolling basis until all interview spots have been filled.  All available interview slots have now been filled for the 2023-2024 application cycle.

  4. I haven’t heard about an interview, but I think I would be a great fit for your program. Should I contact you directly?

    We receive a very high number of applications each year and aim to review each in a holistic manner; thus, we assume it will take several weeks to finish reviewing all applications. You will receive an email through Thalamus if you have been selected for an interview. If you have concerns about your application, please contact one of our program coordinators and they will be happy to assist you.

  5. I’m trying to coordinate my schedule. Which interview dates are still available?

    We interview on Mondays and Fridays, starting in early November and going through late January. We’ll let you know which dates have openings once you receive an invitation. 

  6. Do I need to apply separately for any PGY1 options offered through BIDMC-Harvard Psychiatry?

    No, the intern year is included in matching into BIDMC-Harvard Psychiatry.

  7. I have a strong interest in pursuing research during my clinical training. Do you offer a Research Track?

    Yes, we offer a research track with a separate match number through NRMP (1256400C1). Click here for more information. Outside of the research track, all residents have a half-day of protected time available for scholarly work in the  PGY2 through PGY4 years. 

  8. Do you have any other special tracks within the program?

    Our Community Track offers residents who are specifically interested in public sector psychiatry an opportunity for increased time spent at community and public sector psychiatry sites. This track has a separate match number through NRMP (1256400C2). 

  9. I’m an International Medical Graduate. Do you sponsor visas? Anything else I should know before I apply?

    We do sponsor J1 and, under unusual circumstances, H1B visas. Direct clinical experience (not an observership) at an LCME-acredited United States medical school is required, as well as solid passing scores on USMLE exams. Contact the ECFMG to apply through ERAS.

  10. How do I sign up for a visiting clerkships?

    Click here for more information on visiting clerkships, and click here for information on our one-week virtual experience for summer 2023.

  11. Are there specific requirements regarding letters of recommendation?

    At least three letters of recommendation from clinical experiences are required. At least one letter should be from a psychiatrist who is familiar with your work. At least one letter should be from a rotation that involved direct care of patients as part of a primary treatment team (internal medicine is preferred, but others including family medicine, surgery, or pediatrics are acceptable).

  12. Do you require applicants to submit scores for USMLE Step 2?

We expect that all applicants will have received notice of a passing score on USMLE Step 2 and notified us about their passing score prior to the date of submission of the program's rank list. We do not have a minimum score requirement.

     13. Will you be offering in-person interviews this year?

In accordance with guidelines developed by our professional organization, we will continue to offer only remote interviews during the 2023-24 interview season. 

     14. Does BIDMC offer any post-residency fellowship training programs?

BIDMC offers a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison (CL) Psychiatry, in conjunction with the Veteran Affairs (VA) Boston Health System. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit the fellowship website

Starting in 2024, we will also offer a fellowship in Early Psychosis; more information will be posted as it becomes available.