The policy outlined below defines the screening criteria we use to evaluate International
Medical Graduate applicants. In addition, we will continue to apply our best judgement
concerning the suitability of a candidate for training at this program to decide
who will have the most likelihood of meeting its training demands and for maintaining
the standards that we have set.
Applicants must provide official documentation that certifies satisfactory
completion of requirements for graduation from a medical school approved by
the World Health Organization. This documentation must include a transcript
of course work with the official seal of the institution, a letter from an
official of the institution verifying that all requirements for graduation
have been satisfied, and a translated, notarized verification of authenticity.
To be eligible for internship, the applicant must be ECFMG certified, and
be in one of the following categories: a US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or
hold a valid visa permitting work in a Graduate Medical Education program.
We cannot consider anyone holding J visas and we cannot sponsor individuals
for any kind of visa. In addition, the applicant must meet all other eligibility
criteria established by the UNC Hospitals Office of Graduate Medical Education.
At the time of application to the program applicants must have taken and
passed a series of tests offered by the Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates (ECFMG) including both Steps 1 and 2 of the United States
Medical Licensing Examination, and the Clinical Skills Assessment. The applicant
must submit official reports from the ECFMG documenting the scores for the
examinations. In order to be considered for an interview, applicant scores
reported therein should be at an approximate standard score of
215 on Steps 1 and 2.
At the time of application to the program applicants also must have taken
the ECFMG English Language Proficiency and passed it. In conversation
the applicant must demonstrate a clear command of spoken English, both in
clarity of enunciation and pronunciation and in conversational understanding.
We will give preference in our consideration to candidates who have clinical
experience in the United States, Canada or systems based on British models
of training and health care.
International Medical Graduate applicants who are considered for internship
during the same period of time that US medical school graduates apply must
do so through the National Resident Matching Program and proceed through the
same application process as US students.
Usually, International Medical Graduate applicants cannot be considered
for advanced placement in residency training. The rare instances when it might
be possible will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Guidelines for Foreign
Medical Graduates