Frequently Asked Questions

How many applications do you get to the program each year?
We get approximately 200 applications per year.
How many people do you interview each year?
We interview approximately 45 people each year.
When is the application deadline?
All applications must be received and complete by December 1st.
Do you have to have a Ph.D. to apply?
No. A Ph.D. is helpful but not required. Students are encouraged to apply who have a strong interest in pursuing a research career in academic medicine with an already well established research background and interest.
When do I submit my supplemental information?
Once you have been accepted and offer to interview we will need your supplemental information immediately. You may also send it prior to the offer of invitation if you wish.
Is supplemental salary provided to PSTP residents?
No. The Department of Medicine supplies and educational stipend of $1000.00 per year for four years to all PSTP residents beginning in your intern year. This money can be used to purchase books, subscriptions to journals, travel to scholarly meetings and other educational applications.
How will my salary be supported during my training?
The Department of Medicine will support your salary to the standard PGY-1 and PGY-2 level during those years. During PGY-3 through PGY-5 most salaries are supported by training grants in the subspecialty division.
Are you allowed to attend research meetings?
The Department of Medicine sends all PSTP residents each year to the annual ASCI/AAP Meeting in Chicago and supports your expenses to this meeting. We also arrange coverage for your attendance. Additionally, we support up to $1000.00 per year for all PSTP residents to attend another scholarly meeting of their choice in their related field. You must obtain your own coverage for the second meeting.
How will I know if I am invited for an interview?
All invitations are extended via e-mail after November 1st.
How competitive is the UCSD PSTP?
Very. UCSD is a very desirable place to train on many levels. The rich research environment that spans across the La Jolla mesa offers many highly sought after opportunities for research therefore providing a competitive market for the applicant.
Should I rent a car when I come to UCSD for an interview?
This is a personal choice. The interview day will take place at 2 of the 4 UCSD locations, UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center and the main UCSD campus in La Jolla. These campuses are approximately 12 miles apart. There are free shuttle buses that you can take that do rotate between these campuses on a frequent bases. If you desire to interview at any of the institutions that we are affiliated with but are not on the UCSD Campus then it is recommend that you rent a car so that you can attend these interviews. If you intend to rent a car you will need to let the Program Coordinator know so that parking can be arranged for your research interview day.
Can I do research at an institution other than UCSD?
Yes. We want you to have the best research training possible and believe that can happen in a wide variety of places currently within San Diego. If you are accepted to into a lab that is not at UCSD but at another affiliated institution that has funding available and appropriate mentoring available we will support you in that endeavor.
Can I do part of my residency or a rotation in a foreign country?
Currently the Infectious Disease division at UCSD has fellowship rotations available in foreign countries. The Categorical Residency Program in Internal Medicine at UCSD also offers a Global Medicine Elective in Maputo, Mozambique but since the ABIM requirements for the clinical training in the Research Pathway are condensed into two years for the PSTP applicant they can not choose this as an elective.
Can I apply only to the PSTP?
Yes, but you are still required to interview with the categorical track. The first two years of internal medicine residency training are spent in the categorical medicine track. Students must also be desirable applicants to this track, so you must be interviewed and reviewed by the committee for this track too.
Are the selection committees for the PSTP and the Categorical Medicine Track separate?
Yes. The committees meet and rank separately.
Is there a separate application for the PSTP through ERAS?
Yes. There is a separate box to check under the UCSD application through the ERAS website.
Who will I meet during my research interviews?
All invited applicants will meet with the program director or the associate program director for the PSTP as well as research faculty defined by your choice and particular area of interest. If you have a defined subspecialty fellowship interest then every effort will be made for you to meet with the fellowship director of that subspecialty.
Do you accept early admission to fellowship?
It is the policy of most of the divisions within the Department of Medicine to interview PSTP applicants when they are here interviewing for the PSTP program. After that interview if the applicant is a desirable candidate to both the PSTP and the fellowship then strong consideration will be given for early acceptance to the fellowship program. Provided the resident completes successful clinical training.
I am an international applicant can I apply?
Yes. You must meet all the requirements of an international applicant listed on this website under How to Apply. We will support only J-1 visas.
Will I get to meet other PSTP residents during my visit?
Yes. During a designated two day PSTP interview the categorical interview takes place on Thursday. That Thursday evening the current PSTP residents and fellows will host a dinner for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with them.