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?

   Applications are made available to programs for review in late September. For the 2025-2026 application season, we anticipate sending our first interview invitations no sooner than October 17.  We expect that it will take several weeks to read all applications and that we will not have completed doing so by that date, so if you do not hear from us immediately, please do not assume that you have not been selected to interview, we may just have not had a chance to review your application yet. 
   
   Once we begin sending interview invitations, we will then continue to offer interviews on a rolling basis until all interview spots have been filled. 

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, it takes 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. If you have not heard from us about an interview, you may assume that you are on our Wait List. 

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

   We interview on Mondays and Fridays from late October through the end of January, with the exception of days affected by holidays. We will let you know which dates have openings once you receive an invitation. 
   
   The interview dates for the General and Community Tracks for the 2025-2026 season are:
   
   October 31
   November 3, 7, 10, 17, 21
   December 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19
   January 9, 12, 16, 23
   
   The interview dates for the Research Track are: 
   
   November 14, 24
   December 8
   January 9

6. If I am interviewing for the research track and the general track, do I have to attend two separate interview days?

   No you do not. Those who are selected to interview for the research track need only interview on a Research Track interview day, where they will also have a chance to hear about the clinical aspects of the program and meet clinical faculty, similar to non-research track applicants. .

7. I am interested in the research track. What are you looking for in a Research Track applicant?

   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. 
   
   The Research Track is intended for people who are pursuing a career where a substantial portion of their time will be devoted to research. We are seeking candidates with a PhD (or equivalent), or who have engaged in research at a level equivalent to someone who has earned that degree. 
   
   When you are invited for an interview, your invitation will explicitly state which tracks you are being considered for. If you are interested in scholarly wok but are not invited for a Research Track interview, the progra still offers protected time through our scholarly project program and you still have access to the world class research mentors with the BIDMC, Mass Mental Health Center, and Harvard Medical School systems. 

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.
   
   Applicants must be ECFMG Certified in order to be considered and must have acheived passing scores on USMLE Steps 1 and 2. We also ask that the Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE) or equivalent include assessments of clinical performance with grades (or equivalent evaluatory system) and data with which to compare the applicant's performance to their peers. Direct clinical experience (not an observership) or research experience during which clinical work was a significant part of the applicant's role at an LCME-acredited United States medical school is strongly preferred. 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.

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 has directly supervised you in clinical 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). Research track applicants should provide a letter of recommendation from a research mentor who has served as a direct supervisor of the applicant's research. 

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

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

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