Application

*Step 2 CK scores are not required for your application to be considered, but are strongly recommended. Candidates who match into our program will be required to complete Step 2 CK prior to the start of residency. In addition, IMGs who match into our program must submit Step 3 scores prior to the start of residency.

**All applicants who apply to our program in ERAS by the October 7th Deadline will be sent directions on how to submit the WUSM General Surgery Secondary Application. In order to be considered for a Categorical position in the 2023 Match, all applicants who have not completed the ERAS Supplemental Application MUST complete the WUSM General Surgery Secondary Application. The secondary application is OPTIONAL for those who completed the ERAS Supplemental Application. The secondary application is intended to help us better understand your training and career goals and interests, as well as your interest in our program specifically. Additional information about the WUSM General Surgery Secondary Application can be found on our Application FAQ page.

In addition to the program-specific Secondary Application, for the 2023 ERAS® cycle, our program will be participating in the supplemental ERAS application offered through the AAMC’s ERAS program. Participation in the supplemental ERAS application is optional. Additional information about the ERAS Supplemental Application can be found on the AAMC Website. Please visit our Application FAQ page for information on how we anticipate incorporating the supplemental ERAS application into our application review process.

A note about the application review process for the 2022 Match:

We appreciate that the application process for residency programs across specialties, and for general surgery in particular, has become increasingly competitive, with record numbers of applications being submitted for the 2022 Match. As such, we wish to be transparent about last year’s application review and interview invitation process, to give you an idea of what to expect this year.

• Application review: Faculty performed a holistic review of 1300+ categorical MD, DO, and IMG applications (for 9 spots). They were reviewed regardless of USMLE scores (but must pass on the first attempt). All applications underwent blinded reviews by at least two committee members (the reviewers could not see each other’s scores/comments) to determine “fit” for WashU. Over 450 applications in the top group after that first round of reviews got at least a third review to determine the final invitation list.
• Per APDS recommendations, we sent out the same number of initial invitations as we had interview slots (96 slots). We held interviews over 4 dates, with morning and afternoon options on each date.
• Signals/AAMC supplemental pilot: Signals were used to screen-in, not screen-out applications (i.e., help us to identify applicants interested in our program). All signaled applications received at least 3 reviews, regardless of their initial round 1 review score. A signal was not required to get an interview. The supplemental application was used as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, the full ERAS application review throughout the process.
• Waitlist: We routinely have up to a 30% turnover in interview slots each year, so we send out more than 30 waitlist invitations each year. Last year and the year prior we had a <5% turnover rate, presumably due to virtual interviews. Until we are sure that that will be the new norm, we may consider continuing to send out multiple waitlist invitations. If you are on our waitlist, we will contact you about those opportunities – please don’t contact us about your position on the list, likelihood to get invited, etc.
• Per APDS recommendations, applicants had 48 hours to accept/reply to an interview invitation, after which time we offered the interview slot to someone on the waitlist.
• We offered in-person campus visit opportunities in February 2022, AFTER we have had our final rank list meeting.
• We pledge to be as open about the process as possible, but we asked in return (and will again this year) that if you are not interested in training with us at WashU/BJH and you have been offered an interview, please consider canceling your interview (well ahead of time!) so that it might be offered to someone truly interested. We understand that there is a lot that goes into the application process and reasons for choosing a training program, so we won’t take the cancellation personally, but the person who gets your interview spot will be very appreciative, and so will we!