Applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). United States medical students should contact their Dean's Office for access to the ERAS system. You must go through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to apply to our program. The deadline for applications is September 24, 2024 at midnight EST.

2024-2025 Application Process

The deadline for applications is September 24, 2024 at midnight EST. Because we personally review every application, including the dean’s letters, our screening process tends to run later than other programs. All invitations to interview will be granted no later than November 30, 2024.

Step 2 Test Results

Step 2 test results must be submitted in ERAS no later than February 1, 2025.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an important part of your application. In accordance with COVID-era AAIM guidelines, we require a total of 3 letters for the application cycle:

  • Letter from your medical school Dean (the Dean's letter)
  • Letter from the Department of Medicine chair or clerkship director (optional for Preliminary applicants)
  • 1-2 additional letters from individuals who can assess your skills and abilities (typically faculty members with whom you have worked in clinical or research settings)

While we will accept additional letters of recommendation, a maximum of four letters can be transmitted through ERAS.

Applying to Multiple Programs

With multiple tracks available within the Internal Medicine Residency program, we encourage applicants to explore the different opportunities available and apply to the program(s) that best match your interests.

Applicants can apply for the Categorical and Primary Care programs simultaneously. Your application will be reviewed by screeners in each program you have selected. If invited to interview, you will learn more about each program and interview with the respective teams over the course of two subsequent days. You will be considered for each program independently, as each program has a separate match list.

Restrictions: If you select the Physician Scientist Program, Neurology Prelim Program, or general Prelim program, you will only be considered for that program – even if you selected Categorical and/or Primary Care as well. 

  • Physician Scientist Program (PSP): The PSP track is intended for applicants planning a career in basic science research. If you select the PSP option on ERAS, your application will only be considered for the Stanbury PSP track and will not be eligible for interviews with other programs. However, if, after interviewing, you decide that Stanbury PSP is not the right fit, you can request to move your application from Stanbury PSP consideration to the traditional Categorical program consideration. Interested applicants should apply directly to the Stanbury PSTP Internal Medicine Residency Program (NRMP # 1261140C2) via ERAS.
  • The Neuro-Preliminary Track option is only for applicants who are applying to the Harvard BWH-MGH Neurology Residency Program and would like to do their preliminary medicine year at Mass General. If you select this option in ERAS, you will only be considered for the Neuro Prelim & Prelim program and your application will not be reviewed by our other IM programs. (Please note: all interviews for this program are managed by the Neurology program, so you must also apply to the main Neurology program separately to be considered for this preliminary program.)
  • The Preliminary Track is for all other applicants looking to complete an intern year in medicine before moving on to other specialties. If you select this option in ERAS, you will only be considered for the Preliminary program and your application will not be reviewed by our other IM programs.

Interviews and Match

Selection for interview is based on a number of factors, including academic and clinical performance, particularly in medicine rotations.

All PGY-1 positions for this program are selected through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). We do NOT offer pre-match positions.

The Internal Medicine NRMP numbers for Match participation are:

  • NRMP #1261140C0 | Categorical Track (3 year traditional, ABIM Research Pathway)
  • NRMP #1261140P1 | Neuro-Preliminary Track (1 year in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140P0 | Preliminary Track (1 year in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140M0 | Primary Care Track (3 years in duration)
  • NRMP #1261140C2 | Stanbury PSP (3 years in duration)

To apply to the Harvard Mass General Med/Peds Program, please visit Harvard Mass General Med-Peds.

Related Links:

2024-2025 Interview Dates

Categorical Interview Days

  • TBA

Primary Care Interview Days (both days required)

  • TBA

Physician Scientist Program (both days required)

  • TBA

Preliminary Program

  • TBA

Interview Day Synopsis

All interviews will be conducted virtually. Afternoon and morning start times will be offered for Categorical, Primary Care and PSP interview days in order to accommodate time zone differences and other personal obligations.

In order to tailor the interview day to the applicants’ interests, the actual agenda varies based on which program you have applied to. However, all candidates interviewing with the Mass General Department of Medicine will:

  • Learn more about training at Mass General, including requirements specific to that program
  • Have 1 or more interviews with faculty (1-1 interview for prelim and neuro; Team and 1-1 interviews for Categorical, Primary Care and PSP)
  • Join a round table discussion with key residency leadership 
  • Join noon conferences with current residents
  • Participate in a Questions & Answer Panel with residents, offering candidates the opportunity to ask anonymous questions

Requirements for International Medical Graduates

International medical graduates (IMGs) must apply for residency through ERAS by contacting the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Mass General receives almost 4,000 applications from around the world each year. Because of the great number of highly qualified applicants, very few international medical graduates are accepted into the residency program. There are typically six to ten international medical graduates in our program of about 210 residents.

Requirements for Foreign Medical Graduates

  • Only those with outstanding letters of recommendation and clerkship-level clinical experiences or significant research experience in the United States or Canada will be considered for interviews
  • United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)
    • Scores of 240 or higher on Step 1 and Step 2
    • Foreign-educated physicians who seek to obtain H-1B status and who will perform direct patient care must pass the additional Step 3 of the USMLE or must have completed the FLEX or NBME exams. A combination of the above exams is NOT acceptable by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for purposes of an H-1B petition, although a combination may be acceptable for a medical license in certain states
  • ECFMG certification must be received on or before January 1, 2025
  • Graduates eligible for J-1 Visa status sponsored through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
  • We would support an H-1B Visa if the applicant is accepted into the program
  • The employment start date for OPT or Visa paperwork is June 10, 2025

Related Information

Away Rotations and Observerships

Away Rotations (for medical students)

If you are a medical student wishing to do an away rotation for credits at Mass General, this may be arranged through the Harvard Medical School Registrar's Office.

Observerships

The Department of Medicine does not offer observerships.