General Information

The Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program only participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Within the NRMP and ERAS we offer two tracks:

• Categorical  [NRMP Program Code: 1820400C0]:
  Main residency match for all PGY-1 applicants.
  
  
• Research C  [NRMP Program Code: 1820400C1]:
  Our research track is for residents interested in pursuing an academic research career that culminates in a NIH T-32 research-training grant.  For more information on the research track, please visit our learning page. Categorical residents interested in pursuing research during residency, may do so by through our scholarly concentration.

When do I apply?

With the exception of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) due on October 1, all complete applications must be in ERAS by:  September 16

We strongly encourage you to submit your completed applications by this date, as the interview schedule fills quickly.  Applications received in ERAS after October 31 will not be screened or reviewed.

How do I apply for a PGY-1 position?

Please use the Assignments Report in myERAS to track the status of your documents.  Due to the large volume of applications, we will not be able to let you know which documents we received.

A complete application includes the following documents in ERAS:

1. ERAS application.
2. Personal statement.
3. Four (4) letters of recommendation.
   From faculty members who have worked with you in clinical settings in medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry.
4. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
5. Official medical school transcripts.
6. Curriculum vitae.
7. Official copy of your United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores.*
   Candidates must pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK/CS to be considered for NRMP ranking. It is highly desirable to have Step 2 scores available as early as possible in the selection process.
8. Photo.
   Preferably, a professional high-resolution headshot.

International Medical Graduates must also submit the following ECFMG Supporting Documents in ERAS:

• ECFMG Certificate and Status Report
• Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or “California Letter”
• Fifth Pathway Certificate (if applicable)

*Osteopathic (DO) Medical Graduates
COMLEX scores are accepted in lieu of USMLE.  However, USMLE scores are preferred and recommended.

How do I apply for a PGY-2 position?

Currently, our program is full and we do not anticipate any PGY-2 openings.  If our program status has changed, contact the residency training office (psychresidency@lists.stanford.edu) in late December or early June for an available PGY-2 position in the upcoming academic year.  Please include your curriculum vitae (CV) and psychiatry personal statement.

When are interviews held?

Our interview season begins in mid-October and goes through the end of January.

We conduct Categorical interviews only on Thursdays. Typically, we start at 7:45am and end at 5:15pm.  After the interview day, our residents host a dinner/happy hour in downtown Palo Alto.  This is our only Thursday evening event.

We conduct Research track interviews only on the following Friday. Typically, we start at 8:00am and end around 4:00pm.

We review complete applications in September before the MSPE are released by medical schools (October 1). Should you receive an invitation to interview from us, please reply with two days to confirm your interview date.

Where can I stay when I come to interview?

Stanford’s location adjacent Palo Alto and Menlo Park offers an abundance of lodging choices, ranging from B&Bs and motels to luxury hotels.

The Stanford lodging guide is based on proximity to the main campus and includes website links, rates, and contact information.

Other helpful lodging information is available at Destination Palo Alto.

While our program does not endorse Airbnb, some visitors have had relative success using the lodging application.

Area maps

• Palo Alto/Stanford Area Map
• San Francisco Bay Area Map

Airports

Stanford is roughly equidistant from the San Francisco and San Jose airports.  Three major airports serve the San Francisco Bay Area:

• San Francisco International (SFO),
• San Jose Mineta International (SJC), and
• Oakland International (OAK).

We suggest comparing fares to all three airports, as there can be significant differences, even for the same airline.

Choosing airports

Although San Francisco is the largest of the three area airports and offers the most airlines and flights, some visitors find that San Jose’s smaller size makes it a somewhat more convenient alternative, especially for domestic flights.

Important information for International Medical Graduates (IMG)

All applicants to the Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program must be eligible for medical licensure in the State of California.  Graduates of international medical schools should first contact the Medical Board of California to ensure the requirements to obtain a medical license and practice medicine in California have been met.

International Medical Graduates must obtain the Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or “California Letter” from the Medical Board of California, stating that all credentials are adequate to practice in this state.  The PTAL and ECFMG Certificate and Status Report are required and must be submitted with the ERAS application to the Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program.

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) resources:

• ECFMG Certification
• ECFMG Application Process for ERAS
   

Medical Board of California Physicians and Surgeons FAQs

International Medical Graduates with Previous U.S. Residency Training

The Medical Board of California does not allow a year of grace for graduates of international medical schools who have completed previous residency training in the United States.
For example, a geriatric psychiatry fellow who has successfully finished four years of a general psychiatry residency in Massachusetts must be licensed prior to commencing clinical training at Stanford.

IMGs must also possess:

• J-1 Visa through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).  
• Letter from home government or country of present residency, stating there is a need in that country for the skills to be acquired in the United States.

International Medical Graduates Visa Requirement

All trainees in residency and clinical fellowship programs are placed on ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas. Stanford Hospital and Clinics does not sponsor the H-1B visa.

ECFMG requires a valid ECFMG certificate obtained by successful completion of qualifying examinations (VQE, FMGEMS, NBME, or USMLE) coupled with the appropriate English language examination to be eligible for a J-1 visa.

Allow 120 working days for ECFMG to process an initial visa.

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685
Telephone (215) 386-5900

Canadian Visa Requirements

Graduates of Canadian medical schools are placed on ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas.

Canadian medical graduates are not required to take the qualifying examinations such as FMGEMS, NBME, and USMLE in order to obtain visas.

At this time, the government of Canada is restricting approval of physicians wishing to obtain clinical training outside Canada. Stanford Hospital and Clinics is unable to obtain a J-1 visa without the consent of the Canadian government.

California Licensure

These licensure requirements are for California only. If you intend to train or practice in another state please contact their respective Medical Board.

In addition to the examinations listed above, one year of ACGME-approved residency training in the United States or Canada must be completed. This year must include four months of medicine, or surgery, or obstetrics and gynecology, or pediatrics.

Exemption from Licensure:

Stanford Hospital and Clinics is unable to use Section 2111 and Section 2113 of the Business and Professions Code for the purpose of residency and clinical fellowship training.

Pathway for a California Physician's License

1. ECFMG certification (based on successful completion of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK/CS).
2. File a licensing application with the Medical Board of California.
   The Medical Board will review your application and determine if you meet the requirements to begin a residency in California.
3. Complete two (2) years of ACGME-approved residency training.
   During this time, four months of medicine, or surgery, or obstetrics and gynecology, or pediatrics are required.
4. Complete USMLE Step 3.

FAQ for Physician Applicants to Medical Board of California

Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
Telephone (916) 263-2382 or (800) 633-3233