Residency Frequently Asked Questions

Weiss Memorial Hospital is a university affiliated community teaching hospital located in an area that has a culturally diverse patient population base. Our residency programs provide a truly unique educational experience for those seeking a well-rounded training. We are academically affiliated with the University of Illinois and all residency programs at Weiss are accredited by the ACGME.

Learn How To Apply

What is the application process?
All applications are received through ERAS.

What is the application deadline?

TRANSITIONAL YEAR APPLICANTS

• Application deadline – December 1, 2023
• Interview Dates – November 8, 2023 until January 31, 2024

INTERNAL MEDICINE APPLICANTS

• Application deadline – November 1, 2023
• Interview Dates – November 3, 2023 until January 31, 2024

When do interviews occur?
Interviews occur in November, December, and January each year.

Are the interviews in person or virtual?
We will be conducting only virtual interviews (via Zoom) for this interview season.

What is the minimal score requirement for applications?
The minimal score requirements are listed below. Scores in Step 1 and Step 2 cannot be combined for an average required score.

• Categorical Internal Medicine: 230 in Step 1 and 240 in Step 2
• Preliminary Medicine: 230 in Step 1
• Transitional Year: 230 in Step 1 (First attempt is preferred)
• The Step 1 minimum score requirement is applicable only to those applicants who took the exam prior to the Pass/Fail only reporting change.

Do I need to have Step 2 CK in hand by the time of application?

Categorical Internal Medicine applicants should have passed Step 2 CK at the time of the application. Prelim and Transitional Year applicants are only required to have passed Step 1.

Do I need to have passed my Step 2 CS/Alternate Pathway to apply?
Yes.

Can only fresh graduates apply?
Although we have no definite cut-off period from the year of medical school graduation, applicants who have graduated in the past three years are preferred.

How many total residents are in the programs?

• Categorical Internal Medicine Program has 45 residents.
• Preliminary Medicine Program has 4 residents.
• Transitional Year Program has 8 residents.

Is an ECFMG certificate needed to apply?
International graduates do not need an ECFMG certificate in order to apply; however, they do need to be ECFMG certified prior to the end of the interviewing season, which is January 31, 2024. ECFMG certification is required for NRMP ranking.

Are International Medical Graduates accepted in the program?
Yes, we do have a significant international medical graduate population in the program.

What type of visa is offered by the program?
J-1 visas are the only visas sponsored by the program at this time.

Is U.S. clinical experience a requirement for applications?
U.S. clinical experience, although preferred, is not a requirement for our programs.

Does the Transitional Year Residency Program participate in the NRMP match?
Yes, the Transitional Year Residency Program participates in the NRMP match.

Does the Internal Medicine Residency Program participate in the NRMP match?
No, the Internal Medicine Residency Program does not participate in the NRMP match.

Does the Preliminary Medicine Residency Program participate in the NRMP match?
No, the Preliminary Medicine Residency Program does not participate in the NRMP match.

Are rejection e-mails sent to applicants?
No, only those candidates who are selected for an interview are notified by e-mail.

Can I e-mail queries to the program?
Due to the large volume of applications, it is difficult to address queries individually. The website should be able to provide answers for most major issues.

Can a doctor of osteopathy apply to the program and are USMLE scores required for consideration?
Yes, doctors of osteopathy can apply; however, USMLE scores are required for consideration of an application.

Are outside electives allowed in the PGY1 level of training?
No, outside electives are only allowed in the PGY2 or PGY3 levels.

How are applicants chosen for the Internal Medicine Residency Program since you do not participate in the match process?
Applicants are selected after an interview by the program faculty and are contacted individually.

Do you offer observerships?
No, we do not offer observerships.

Do you offer virtual interviews?
Yes, we will be offering only virtual interviews this year.