Neurology Residency - How to Apply

Apply to Tufts Medical Center neurology residency: Deadlines, requirements + FAQs

We participate in ERAS and NRMP, and all applications must be submitted through these programs. Application materials should be submitted by October 15, two years before the PGY-2 neurology training year. For example, those seeking to start residency in July 2027 should apply by October 15, 2025.

Successful completion of a preliminary year in internal medicine is required before beginning neurology residency. We offer guaranteed preliminary medicine positions at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital for candidates who match into Tufts Medical Center Neurology.

Your ERAS application must include:

ERAS application form
Curriculum vitae including honors, publications and presentations
Medical School Performance Evaluation or Dean’s letter
Official medical school transcript
USMLE scores (Step 1 required, Steps 2 and 3 if available); COMLEX scores accepted
Three or more letters of recommendation, including one from your neurology rotation chair
Personal statement
Photograph
ECFMG certificate (for international medical graduates)

Interviews will be held between the months of October and January

We do offer guaranteed preliminary internal medicine (PGY-1) positions for applicants who match with the Tufts Adult Neurology Residency Program. There are 6 medicine internship positions available at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital. If you are interested in one of these positions, you must rank the program in the supplemental match list, but you will not be required to interview separately. Alternatively, you can choose to apply to and match with any other PGY-1 preliminary medicine position in the U.S.

International medical graduates

We accept foreign graduates who are highly qualified and have competitive USMLE scores. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section for more information regarding requirements for IMGs.

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FAQs

How do I apply?

We use ERAS for all of our residency applications.

What is the application deadline?

All applications must be received no later than October 15th.

When do you interview?

We do all of our interviews starting October through January, with a break for holidays.

How many slots do you offer?

We offer up to 6–7 positions per year.

Are you a Categorical (PGY1 slots available) or Advanced (starts in PGY2) program?

We have 6 integrated internship slots available at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital (where our residents spend 50% of their time during their neurology training) per year, which are guaranteed to applicants who successfully match into Tufts Medical Center Neurology. However, we are an advanced program; internship spots are NOT available at Tufts Medical Center.

How do the integrated tracks in NRMP work?

We understand it can be challenging to find preliminary slots, especially in the Boston area. We have worked out an agreement with our affiliate institution, Beth Israel Lahey Hospital, that allows an NRMP Integrated track. What this means is that if you decide to rank the Tufts Medical Center Neurology program, you will also need to rank Beth Israel Lahey Hospital's internal medicine neurology preliminary year separately to obtain a preliminary position. The ranking algorithm works for these integrated tracks a little differently than if you ranked them separately. If chosen, through ranking, to match at Tufts MC Neurology, the NRMP would then go back and choose your preliminary position based on how you ranked them and how they ranked you. Additionally, our rank lists are shared with these institutions, and they will rank you in line with our opinions and based on their program policies.

Do you consider international medical graduates?

Absolutely! Some Caribbean schools are difficult to get a license in Massachusetts. Contact our education manager if you are not sure that your school is one of these.

What percentage of your residents are FMG?

On average, our residents who are IMG are anywhere from 40-60%.

What are the USMLE requirements?

To be licensed in the state of Massachusetts, you must have passed your USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CS, and Step 2 CK before obtaining a license. We look at these scores as well during the recruitment season, but understand if you are in the middle of your testing. We will require these completed and passed before ranking, but it will not hold you up from being offered an interview. You may be asked your status during application reviews. You will need to have your Step 3 passed before your PGY2 year, per the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine policies.

Do you have a requirement for time period since graduation?

Our program does not have a requirement for this. However, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine will ask for documentation explanation at the time of licensing and this may slow down your licensing.

For IMG, is U.S. clinical experience required?

It is not required for the application. However, in order to feel more comfortable in the U.S. Medical System, it is highly suggested that you have done some clinical experience. You will get a full year of clinical experience in your PGY1 year before you come to us. But some preliminary programs are tougher on this requirement, so be sure to check with them.

Do you sponsor visa(s)? If so, what visa(s) do you sponsor?

We do sponsor visas, but only J-1. Unfortunately, we do not sponsor H1-B.

What are your requirements for letters of recommendation?

We require 3 letters of recommendation, one of which is from the chairman with whom you did your neurology rotation. All letters of recommendation must be uploaded through ERAS. Please do not email these to us directly. They may be misplaced and, therefore, not factored.

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