To be eligible to apply to the Pathology Residency program, an applicant must be a graduate of one of the following:
- Medical school in the U.S. or Canada that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- College of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Medical school outside the U.S. or Canada and hold a current and valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Medical school outside the U.S. or Canada and have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction
- Medical school outside the U.S., and have completed a Fifth Pathway Program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school
Applicants in ACGME-accredited Pathology residency program seeking to transfer into our program as second-, third-, or fourth-year Pathology residents must first contact our Program Director to inquire about availability.
Application Process
Applicants interested in pursuing the Pathology Residency program must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Candidates will be notified by email of available dates to schedule an interview.
Deadline
TBA
Submitting an Application
Required Documentation
As part of the ERAS process, prospective fellows will need to submit the following documentation:
- USMLE Step I, II, and III scores (DO applicants can submit step I and II)
- Cirriculum vitae
- Medical school transcript
- Dean's letter (for 4th year medical students)
- Exchange Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates certification (if applicable)
- Personal statement or letter of interest explaining career choice and goals
- Three letters of recommendation to be addressed to the program director (at least one of which from a pathologist)
- Current photograph
Do you have a cut off for USMLE scores?
No. Although higher scores make an applicant more competitive, we do not have cutoffs for USMLE scores. We evaluate each application on an individual basis. Because these scores predict likelihood of passing the specialty board examination, we view any failure of any part of the USMLE examination with concern. In the absence of demonstration of significant improvement in score on the second attempt, it is highly unlikely that such an applicant will be invited to interview.
Do you have a cut-off from time since graduation?
It is highly unlikely that an applicant who has been out of medical school for more than seven years will be invited to interview, unless the applicant has been actively engaged in the clinical practice of medicine or biomedical research.
Is experience in pathology necessary?
Most successful medical school applicants have taken at least one elective in pathology and have obtained a letter of recommendation from at least one pathologist supervising their work. Post-graduate applicants from other medical specialties must be able to justify a career change by having some exposure to what working as a pathologist entails. Applicants working in biomedical research should be able to discuss how their research experience informs their choice of a career in pathology. Applicants without some form of experience in pathology are at a competitive disadvantage. The basis for choosing pathology as a career should be addressed in the personal statement of the application.
Does your program accept international medical graduates (IMGs)?
Yes. We accept applications from IMGs with the qualifications outlined above and evaluate them in the same pool with those from U.S. medical graduates. IMGs from several countries have completed our program successfully. Information on visas may be obtained from the ECFMG.
Do you require medical student applicants to do an elective at your institution?
No. Although it helps put applicants at a competitive advantage if we have had the opportunity to know them before they apply, we recognize that many applicants do not have the financial resources to come here for an elective. Most of our current residents, who came from schools other than Wake Forest, did not do an elective here prior to applying.
Do you offer observerships in pathology for post-graduate physicians?
No. Maintaining an optimal training environment for our residents, fellows and medical students must take precedence. Unfortunately, we do not have space or funding to accommodate additional observers. We suggest that those currently working in an academic medical center contact the pathology department in their institution. Pathologists in private practice in the area where applicants work or live are other potential resources.