How to Apply

All applications to the PSTP are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The PSTP at UCSD is listed as a separate program through ERAS from that of the Categorical Residency at UCSD. Because the PTSP is highly competitive, applicants may wish to consider an application to the Categorical Residency in addition to the PSTP.

Application Requirements

Special Requirements for
International Medical Graduates

  1. Possess a current ECFMG certificate.
  2. Pass USMLE Step I on first attempt.
  3. File an application for licensure with the Medical Board of California, Division of Licensing, and obtain a Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) which authorizes eligibility to begin postgraduate training in California. This letter must be received with your ERAS application by the December 1st deadline in order for your file to be reviewed and processed. For more information you can contact the Medical Board of California website.
  4. Visa Status: Secure J-1 Visa through ECFMG with issuance of IAP-66. The University no longer sponsors H-1 Visas for residency training.
  5. Apply through ERAS. The ECFMG office will serve as the designated Dean's office and can provide detailed information to international medical graduates.

All applicants must meet the same requirements as those of the categorical program in internal medicine at UCSD. You may review those requirements at UCSD Internal Medicine Residency Program. Applicants must have an M.D. or equivalent degree at the time of enrollment in the program. Secondly, they must have had substantive prior training in research. Examples of such substantive training are an M.D., Ph.D. or an intensive and productive research experience during or prior to medical school. High quality publications, based on the applicant's prior research, are interpreted by the program as a predictor of success, as are strong letters of reference from former research mentors. Exceptional candidates with less research training who plan on an independent academic career are also encouraged to apply. The University of California, San Diego is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from members of underrepresented minorities.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the ERAS application, please provide a minimum of one and preferably three letters of support from prior research mentors and senior colleagues. A letter of reference from the thesis advisor of the M.D., Ph.D. candidates is required. Applicants should also write a supplemental letter detailing their research experience and their reasons for pursuing an investigative path. In that letter, the applicant should indicate their subspecialty interests (if any) and the names of any research scientists with whom they would like to meet during the interview process. The applicant should indicate if he/she desires early admission to a specific subspecialty program. A general statement of areas of research interest would also be helpful.You may send this information along with a CV via e-mail (preferred) or postal mail to:

Allison Reinhardt
Program Coordinator, UCSD PSTP Program
9500 Gilman Drive, Mail code 0671
La Jolla, CA 92093-0671

areinhardt@ucsd.edu

* International medical graduates applying to our program have additional requirements. Please see the box to the side for more information.

Interview and Evaluations

All qualified applications received through the ERAS system applying to the PSTP track will be reviewed by a faculty selection committee. Applicants invited to interview will be notified via email.

All applicants must be interviewed by the Categorical Residency Program in addition to the faculty leadership for the PSTP. We strongly recommend that you plan to attend one of three PSTP specific two day interviews. The first day is devoted to the Categorical Program interview. The second day consists of a PSTP orientation by the leadership of this pathway and the Chair of Medicine followed by interviews with research and subspecialty faculty. The dates for this year's designated PSTP interview dates are December 10-11, 2009, December 17-18, 2009 and January 7-8, 2010.

If you are not able to attend one of the three PSTP specific dates above you may request an added day of interviews on the day after the Categorical Program interview day.

Upon completion of the interview season, applicant files are reviewed by the PSTP Selection Committee consisting of the Program Director, Associate Director, and a representative panel of affiliated scientists for consideration of ranking.