Gastroenterology Fellowship Application Guide
As of July 2007, the Gastroenterology fellowship program has participated in the ERAS match. This is a change that has greatly benefited the applicants, and upwards of 80% of the nation’s programs will participate. For programs that do not participate in the match, there are separate applications. However, if you are considering applying to them, we recommend you speak with one of us first.
Fellowship Applications are completed through the American Association of Medical College’s Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which is accessed online. The link to the ERAS web site is: http://www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm
Timeline for applications for training beginning on July 1, 2011
Mid-June 2009: MyERAS User Guide available.
July 1, 2009: MyERAS Web site opens to applicants to begin working on their applications
November 15, 2009: Applicants begin posting their applications on ERAS to the programs.
December 1, 2009 – February 1, 2010: The applications are reviewed.
March - April 2010: We issue invitations for interviews. Some programs will interview in February, but almost none in May. Details on match can be obtained from the NRMP's website at www.nrmp.org and a listing of programs participating in the match can be found on the Education and Training Section of www.gastro.org.
Application Requirements
We at NYP-Weill Cornell (and most other programs) will only review completed applications that include 3 letters of recommendation -- one of which must be from the Residency Program Director or Chief of Service. Attendings and the Program Director are usually more than happy to write you letters but are generally quite busy. They may sometimes need gentle reminders (i.e. prodding) to complete these, and thus we would recommend asking some time in August/September.
A Personal Statement is required as well. You will generate a CV via ERAS. Many programs will begin downloading applications immediately upon completion in the ERAS post-office. While we generally wait until our application window has closed before reviewing applications, many programs will look in early January and then only haphazardly after that. Therefore, it greatly behooves you to have the application complete as early as possible (i.e. on December 1).
General Advice
As Gastroenterology has become an increasingly competitive area, it is important to have a research component to your portfolio. Speaking to current residents who have matched for the following year is quite helpful. We also recommend that you meet with either Dr. Ira Jacobson, the Chief of the Division, as well as one of the faculty for guidance. Applying broadly (to top tier programs around the country) or deeply (to many programs in a particular geographic location, such as NYC) is important.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our Fellowship Program Office at 646- 962-4700 or either one of us.
Contacts
Robert Schaefer, MD
Program Director
Email: [email protected]
Brian P. Bosworth, MD
Associate Program Director
Email: [email protected]
