Eligibility, Recruitment and Selection Policy

Recruitment, selection, and appointment of residents is performed by general surgery faculty, the program director, associate directors, site directors, and the department chair, under the oversight of the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) and the Office of Graduate Medical Education (OGME) in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and California Medical Board requirements.  The application review process ensures fair and consistent consideration of all applicants to the UCSF-East Bay General Surgery Residency Training Program.

Eligibility

An applicant for the General Surgery Residency Training Program at UCSF must have:

• A medical degree prior to residency program start date from one of the following:
• Medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or
• Colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or
• Medical schools outside of the United States or Canada recognized by the California Medical Board (https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensing/Physicians-and-Surgeons/Apply/Schools-Recognized.aspx).
• A passing score on USMLE Step I.
• A passing score on USMLE Step II (CS and CK) is required for all trainees applying to the General Surgery Residency Training Program. This is a requirement specified by the Graduate Medical  Education Office at UCSF for all training programs at UCSF.

Each applicant must submit a completed application through ERAS. The application must be received by the deadline of December 31.

In addition, applicable Medical Board of California licensing requirements must be met:

• Graduates of US or Canadian medical schools may participate in ACGME accredited programs unlicensed for no more than a total of 24 months. The California Medical Board requires a minimum of 12 months of training in an ACGME accredited program and a passing score on the USMLE Step III to qualify for medical licensure. A license must be obtained by the first day of the 25th month of training.
• Graduates of medical schools outside of the United States or Canada must have a current and valid Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate at the time of application. International medical graduates may participate in ACGME accredited programs unlicensed, with a valid Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (https://www.ecfmg.org/certification/) from the California Medical Board, for no more than a total of 36 months. The Medical Board requires a minimum of 24 months of training in an ACGME accredited program and a passing score on the USMLE Step III to qualify for medical licensure. A license must be obtained by the first day of the 37th month of training.

Non-U.S. citizens must possess a Permanent Resident Card or an appropriate educational visa prior to starting a postgraduate medical education program.  Please note that we accept applications with documentation of J-1 Visa status, but cannot accept any other category of visas (e.g. H1B). 

Recruitment and Selection

The General Surgery Residency Training Program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).  We do not offer positions outside of the match except through the NRMP
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) in March.  

We select eligible applicants on the basis of aptitude, preparedness, academic credentials, and career goals.  Our review also considers characteristics such as motivation, integrity, professionalism, communication skills and breadth of interest.

It is the policy of UCSF and its affiliated hospitals that programs do not discriminate against qualified applicants based upon gender, ethnicity, race, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, or veteran status.

We particularly encourage applications from historically underrepresented demographics in medicine and foster an inclusive atmosphere for all applicants and residents, staff, and faculty.

The offer of a residency or fellowship position is not final until the UCSF Attestation Statement (https://facultyacademicaffairs.ucsf.edu/academic-personnel/academic-review-and-advancement) has been completed by the applicant and reviewed by the program.  The attestation form asks for information about matters that are relevant to liability, credentialing and licensure¹ requirements such as malpractice claims, drug and alcohol abuse, disciplinary action, and criminal convictions or pending charges.  All "yes" responses require a detailed explanation. After review, an offer of a contract may be revoked or the conditions of the offer revised. Discovery of untruthful or misleading answers on the attestation form may subject an applicant to withdrawal of an offer.