Paths to Residency and Professional Advancement for International Students

Research scholarships offer both the essential skills and valuable relationships that, together, provide perhaps the surest and swiftest path to residency in the United States, as well as professional advancement, for the vast majority of international medical graduates.

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) offers research scholarship opportunities in a wide range of specialties at its affiliated and training hospitals for sponsored candidates who have the necessary qualifications (see below).

The research scholarship program is a combination of focused clinical research project and clinical observership in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Thus, you will gain valuable experience in the fundamentals of American medical research and investigative techniques, as well as the analytical thinking skills that are the basis of the best in evidence-based medical practice.

You will become familiar with practice of American medicine and hospital systems here, learn to work with patient Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and have the opportunity to make ward rounds with your medical teams and participate in morbidity and mortality meetings, journal clubs and grand rounds. You also will have the opportunity to participate in teaching conferences and research publishing projects, and learn how to make presentations.

In addition, you will build the foundation for personal and team clinical leadership by interacting with talented fellow researchers in the TUSM program, residents, nursing and attending staff.

Research scholarship required qualifications:

Candidates for research scholarships must meet the following sponsorship, education and examination requirements.

• Sponsorship, and a financial guarantee, from a TUSM-affiliated international sponsor organization. Applicants are only eligible if they are already sponsored; unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for sponsorship.
• An MD or equivalent degree from an accredited medical school (a diploma and school transcripts are required).
• Acceptable United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) results. Applicants may be considered candidates if they have passed Step 1 of the USMLE (minimum score of 215) and are preparing for Step 2 of the USMLE. However, to be accepted for a research scholarship (and, eventually, a residency position), they also must complete Step 2 with the following minimum scores: Step 2-CK, 215; Step 2-CS, Pass. Applicants also must indicate how many attempts were necessary to pass the examinations (More information on the USMLE requirements)
• While not required of applicants who have passed USMLE Step 1, submission of score reports on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with a score of at least 95, is desirable. (More information on TOEFL)

While it is desirable to participate in the program for a full year, shorter training periods are possible. Our goal is to allow the hospital program director enough time to observe your work ethic and performance, so that a letter of recommendation can be written on your behalf. In any event, with the residency match being announced in March of each year, successful candidates must return home to initiate the visa process in time for the residency orientation program in late June.

If your research program is part of an advanced degree program, it could run longer than one year. In addition, research programs that are part of a fellowship, and require an additional year of training, should be identified at the beginning of the application process and approval obtained from the sponsoring organization.

Candidates who have successfully completed their research scholarship program will be awarded a certificate from the hospital at which the research is being conducted.

How to get started:

To learn more about how to become a TUSM research scholar, you should visit the Application Process section of our web site. There you will have access to the application form — and additional documentation that is required —as well as information on how and when to apply, as well as what happens after they have completed their application.

Please note:
The mentorship and guidance of your supervising physician – as well as his or her performance-based recommendation – will play a critical role in your pursuit of residency at a Tufts training or other United States hospital, and career professional advancement. However, a TUSM research scholar position is not a guarantee that you will receive a residency offer.

In addition, you should understand that TUSM does not provide housing as a part of the research scholarship program. You are responsible for finding and paying for your own housing. It is suggested that you begin your housing search well in advance of the starting date of your research program. We offer some suggestions and other online resources on the Finding a Place to Live page of this web site.

Successful completion of residency at a hospital in the United States is both a rewarding professional accomplishment and necessary for board certification in the international medical graduate’s chosen specialty. A United States board-certified physician is exceptionally qualified and positioned for leadership in medical practice in his or her home country.

Tufts University School of Medicine's (TUSM) affiliated and training hospitals offer a number of resident positions in various specialties that are open to sponsored international candidates. You may refer to this program availability list to discover the residency specialties currently offered by each hospital.

Apart from a very few exceptionally qualified candidates – highly credentialed physicians with considerable clinical experience, published papers and high scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) – the vast majority first spend a year as a research scholar at a TUSM training hospital (or earn a Tufts advanced degree).

First-year residency programs:

Virtually all international residency candidates will be applying for PGY 1 (first-year, pre-residency internships), which prepare them for the PGY2 (second-year) start of residency in their specialty field. There are three types of PGY 1 programs that are potentially available at TUSM training hospitals:

• Categorical: In the predetermined clinical specialty to be pursued for the duration of the three to seven-year residency, and for which board certification will be sought: for example, Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, etc.
• Preliminary: Typically in Medicine or Surgery, in preparation for subsequently chosen PGY 2 residency in specialties such as Anesthesia, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine – or continued residency in Medicine or Surgery.
• Transitional: Traditional rotating internships through major medical specialties, also usually in preparation for subsequently chosen PGY 2 residency in a clinical specialty, such as Radiology.

Residency required qualifications:

The following sponsorship, credentials and examination results are required of international residency candidates.

• Sponsorship, and a financial guarantee, from a TUSM-affiliated international sponsor organization.
• An MD or equivalent degree from an accredited medical school (a diploma and school transcripts are required).
• Acceptable United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) results. Minimum scores are as follows: Step 1, 215; Step 2-CK, 215; Step 2-CS, Pass. You also must indicate how many attempts were necessary to pass the examinations. If you have not completed USMLE requirements, you will not be considered for residency positions. (More on USMLE requirements)
• While not required, it is desirable that candidates submit a copy of the report indicating they have scored at least 95 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (More information on TOEFL)
• Any additional hospital or specialty-specific requirements. Applicants should check individual program requirements on the web site of their chosen hospital(s).

How to get started:

You must get an ID number from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), then log in and register for matching at the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) web site.

You also must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates ECFMG), which administers the required United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and reports candidates' scores to residency program directors. USMLE requirements must be completed, though ECFMG certification may still be in progress, at the time of application.

The vast majority of international candidates will start the resident match process at the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which handles applications for most of the residency training programs that participate in the NRMP match. You must register with both NRMP and ERAS to participate in the services of each.

You can learn more about how to become a TUSM-affiliated resident in the Application Process section of the Office of International Affairs' Web site.

Medical fellowships at teaching hospitals in the United States, usually two to three years in duration, provide international medical graduates who have completed residency programs with advanced, and often more specialized, clinical training and research opportunities in their chosen field.

Fellowships are key to board certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medical sub-specialties, and are excellent preparation for medical leadership roles in your home country.

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) affiliated and training hospitals offer a number of fellowship opportunities, for international residents who meet our required qualifications (see below). You may refer to our Hospital Programs Availability list to discover the fellowship specialties currently offered by each hospital. These positions are highly competitive.

Fellowship Required Qualifications:

International residents must meet the following eligibility requirements for TUSM-affiliated fellowships.

• Sponsorship, and a financial guarantee, from a TUSM-affiliated international sponsor organization.
• An MD or equivalent degree from an accredited medical school (a diploma and school transcripts are required).
• Acceptable United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) results. Minimum scores required are as follows: Step 1, 215; Step 2-CK, 215; Step 2-CS, Pass. You also must indicate how many attempts were necessary to pass the examinations. If you have not completed the USMLE requirements, you will not be considered for fellowship positions. (More information on the USMLE requirements)

How to get started:

Most of the fellowships are placed through the Specialty Matching Service (SMS) of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). A few are not filled by the match.

The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) handles applications for many teaching hospital fellowship programs that participate in the NRMP’s Specialty Matching Service, so that is a good place for you to start.

You must register with both NRMP and ERAS to participate in the services of each.

The TUSM Office of International Affairs can help international medical residents through the process, including pointing you to Tufts affiliated or training hospitals with fellowships available in your chosen specialty.

You can learn more about how to become TUSM-affiliated fellow in the Application Process section of our web site.

MPORTANT NOTICE: The Clinical Observership Program is now open only to international visiting physicians actively engaged in clinical practice. The Observership Program for international medical graduates has been terminated by the Office of International Affairs.

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) offers the opportunity to observe clinical patient care at our affiliated and training hospitals for visiting physicians already actively engaged in clinical practice. International visiting physicians may be interested in learning about a procedure or a technique with a specific physician or department.

The clinical observerships provide a valuable chance to learn how patient care is delivered in the United States, how our medical teams and departments interact, and what are the latest techniques being practiced in your prospective or existing medical specialty.

The duration of each hospital rotation in the clinical observership program is up to four weeks. You can apply for either one or two consecutive rotations in your desired specialty. Payment of the observership fee may come from a TUSM-affiliated international sponsor or the individual. In either case, acceptance into the program is contingent on advance payment of the full fee.

International visiting physicians will work under the supervision of the hospital’s specialty program director and residents/physicians in that service. In neither case will you be involved in direct patient care.

International visiting physician required qualifications:

Practicing physicians from abroad must meet the following requirements.

• Must have completed undergraduate and postgraduate medical training (a graduation certificate is required).
• Must currently be actively engaged in the practice of medicine (a copy of the license to practice and proof of good standing in current position are required).

How to get started:

Thank you for your interest in the Observership Program at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM). There are tuition costs associated with observership positions. If you do not have a current relationship with a Tufts-affiliated sponsor (such as government-sponsored program), then the tuition for observerships is $7,500 per month. You either need to pay for yourself or have someone or an organization cover the tuition.

To apply, please send your CV, transcripts, letter of recommendation and personal statement (emphasizing your area of interest) in a single PDF file to oia@tufts.edu.

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to oia@tufts.edu. Thank you again for your interest in furthering your medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Please note:
Since demand for Clinical Observership positions exceeds the rotations available, we will do our utmost to accommodate your choice of program, hospital or supervising physician, but cannot guarantee availability or an exact match.

In addition, you should understand that TUSM does not provide housing as part of the observership program. Participants are responsible for finding and paying for their own housing. It is suggested that you begin your housing search well in advance of your rotation. We offer some suggestions and other online resources on the Finding a Place to Live page of this web site.