Frequently Asked Questions

Residency Applicants

How can I apply to your program?

Complete an application form through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and submit the required documents. ERAS begins taking applications in August.

Our NRMP Code is 1256180A0 and this is a three-year, advanced program named Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School Program.

Do you accept applications outside of ERAS?

No. We accept applications only through ERAS.

What is your application deadline?

We suggest that all of your application materials are submitted through ERAS by October 15. The absolute deadline for completed applications is November 15, although earlier applications are given first priority.

How many applications do you receive a year, and how many applicants do you interview?

We receive more than 400 applications a year, and interview around 90 candidates. Interviews are held on selected Fridays between November and early February.

How many residents do you have?

Our program has 22 adult neurology positions (7 positions in each year). The resident rotation schedule is shared with Boston Children’s Hospital, bringing an additional 15 Pediatric Neurology residents (5 per year) into the clinical schedule.

Do you offer any preliminary (PGY1) training positions?

Our Neurology program is Advanced, and applicants must apply separately for a preliminary/transitional position in Medicine. There is a joint Advanced/Preliminary Neurology (“MedNeuro”) program with BIDMC's Department of Medicine (NRMP code 1256140P1), which gives candidates the opportunity to be chosen for internship slots at BIDMC if they match in Neurology here.

Applicants are also able to match into the regular Preliminary Medicine year at BIDMC, NRMP code 1256140P0.

NOTE: Applicants wishing to do the preliminary Medicine internship year at BIDMC must submit an application for that program — whether the MedNeuro program “linked” to the Neurology residency, or the preliminary Medicine year independent of Neurology programs. The application form is the same, whichever internship program you prefer. Subsequently, one submits a rank list for Neurology (where the MedNeuro program number is an adjunct to the Neurology list) and a separate rank list for Medicine preliminary internships — with the preliminary year NRMP code.

Applicants wishing to stay at their home institution or match elsewhere for the preliminary Medicine year may do so, with no impact on their Neurology residency application.

Do you have a minimum USMLE Score?

No. We look at the entire application, not just the USMLE scores, but the mean score for most of our successful applicants is generally over 230.

Do you accept applications from International Medical Graduates?

Yes, we accept highly-qualified IMGs on occasion. We have had several in our program in recent years.

What are the minimum requirements for IMGs applying to the program?

In addition to all of the items requested in the ERAS application, to be considered, International Medical Graduates must:

  1. possess an ECFMG certificate by the time applications are reviewed,
  2. have been active in the practice of medicine (either as a medical student or a resident or independent practitioner) within the last two years,
  3. have passed the USMLE steps 1 and 2, and
  4. have at least two months of U.S. clinical experience with patient responsibility, with letters of recommendation from those rotations. A U.S. hospital observership is not considered U.S. clinical experience.
Do you accept applications from graduates of osteopathic medical schools?

Yes.

What opportunities are there for research during residency training?

Residents are encouraged to pursue mentored clinical or basic science research. Residents may use elective time to pursue formal training in research methodology through courses offered throughout the Harvard campus. A research block of up to six months may be arranged during residency as part of the Resident Research Education Program, an R25 training grant which also includes funded research for an additional year after neurology residency.

Requests for Away Rotation in our Neurology Programs

Rotations for Residents

An affiliation agreement with your home institution is required before a rotation can begin. Prior to the start of any rotation, rotators must provide all of the following:

  1. either a full or a limited Massachusetts medical license (this is a 9 - 12 week process),
  2. malpractice insurance providing coverage within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
  3. an ECFMG certificate (foreign graduates only), and
  4. records of required current immunizations.
Rotations for Medical Students
  • For electives, we welcome both U.S. and international medical students.
  • Each student seeking to arrange a rotation must make all arrangements through the Harvard Medical School Registrar at exclerks@hms.harvard.edu.
Requests for Observership

Sorry, we do not offer observerships. College or high school students wishing to volunteer in the hospital may contact BIDMC's Volunteer Services at 617-667-3026.