APPLICANT CRITERIA
Medical School
An applicant for postgraduate medical training must be a graduate of an acceptable medical school. A listing of colleges and universities from which degrees will be accepted by the UMHS is regularly updated by the State of California. Candidates must have graduated from a medical school found on the California approved list - affiliation with a school on the approved list is not sufficient.
Background Check
Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.
Pre-Employment Drug Screen
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening is required for employment.
Employment Eligibility
Non-US citizens are required to have a Permanent Resident status or a J-1 visa sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). J-1 visa holders must be eligible to renew their visa for the length of the Neurosurgery training program (i.e. seven years).
Foreign Medical Graduates
Graduates of foreign medical schools are required to hold a current, valid certificate from the ECFMG.
National Examinations
Completion of the applicable examinations is required:
- MD: USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK & CS
- DO: COMLEX Step 1 and 2
Licensure
A State of Michigan Medical License and Controlled Substance License (Educational Limited or Permanent) is required. Any House Officer with a Permanent Medical License must also obtain a personal Federal DEA license.
Life Support Training
Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support are required as part of clinical credentialing.
Apply
The neurosurgery residency commences in the PGY-1 year. Either two or three positions are available each year and are filled through the National Resident Matching Program. Applications for residency positions are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). To assure a complete and timely review of your application, we strongly recommend that all materials are posted on the ERAS system prior to the opening date of ERAS, or as close to this date as possible.
ERAS applications are due by October 1 each year. Our interview slots fill up quickly, so any applications completed after this date will be placed in a queue and considered only in the case of an unexpected cancellation.
Interview Dates
- Friday November 3, 2023
- Tuesday November 21, 2023
- Monday December 11, 2023
- Tuesday January 9, 2024
Interview Day
We run a full interview day via Zoom. There is a one-hour introduction/presentation followed by interviews from 8am until 4:30pm, with a break for lunch.
Before the Interview
Applicants who have been invited for an interview will meet informally with our current residents and have a “virtual” dinner with them the evening prior to their interview date. We hope that this will provide an opportunity for applicants to get the “inside scoop” about our program.
FAQ
What is your application deadline?
Our application deadline is the day ERAS opens to programs (October 1 each year).
When do you begin reviewing applications?
We review applications as soon as they are complete in the ERAS system; invitations to interview are sent out thereafter.
Can I submit additional letters or materials to include with my ERAS application?
Yes, you are welcome to submit any letters or materials you wish but no additional letters or materials are required.
How many positions will you have available this year?
We match 2-3 new candidates each year to maintain a complement of eighteen residents.
Does the program require USMLE step 1 and 2 scores for consideration?
Yes, we require Step 1 and Step 2 CK. We do not have a minimum score requirement. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
Do you sponsor H-1B visas?
No, we sponsor J-1 visas only.
What benefits will I be eligible for as a house officer at the University of Michigan?
For more information, please see: https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/benefits-enrollment/benefits-enrollment-eligibility/benefits-eligibility
Whom should I contact if I have questions? Please contact our Residency and Fellowship Program Administrator, Susie Hines, at [email protected].

