How to Apply

Applications for our residency program are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS), and all applicants must also register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

We accept applications from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Selected candidates will be invited to interview.

Interview invitations are offered on a rolling basis. Applicants will have a 7-day time period to accept their invitation to interview with our program, and we do not extend a greater number of invitations to interview than the number of available interview slots. 

A complete Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) application includes:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Medical school transcript
  • USMLE or COMLEX transcript
  • Dean's letter of recommendation
  • Three letters of recommendation from clinical faculty
  • One page personal statement
  • Photo (optional)

Our program will be collecting and reviewing data from applicants’ supplemental ERAS applications. Completion of the standard MyERAS application is a requirement; completion of the supplemental ERAS application is optional.

In its second year of use, the supplemental ERAS application is designed to help applicants share more information about themselves and assist our program in finding applicants that fit our program’s setting and mission. There is no cost to applicants and participation is optional.

The supplemental ERAS application provides:

  • geographic preferences (by division and by urban or rural setting);
  • information about an applicant’s most meaningful experiences and other impactful life events, if applicable; and
  • program signals.

The supplemental ERAS application will be delivered on a survey platform that is separate from the MyERAS application.

Learn more about the AAMC supplemental ERAS application.

How to Apply for the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)

The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center has a strong track record and decades of experience in combined research and clinical training of successful physician-scientists. To learn more about our Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP), please visit the program’s website.

If you would like to apply to the PSTP program to pursue a research track in psychiatry residency, please submit your PSTP application at the same time that you submit your application to our residency training program.

Application Materials and Deadline

A complete Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) application includes:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Medical school transcript
  • USMLE or COMLEX transcript
  • Dean's letter of recommendation
  • Three letters of recommendation from clinical faculty
  • One page personal statement
  • Photo (optional)

Deadline

Applications must be received by Dec. 31.

Applicants will be invited for interviews following the review of completed applications. Interviews are conducted November through January.

Eligibility

The Department of Psychiatry utilizes a holistic review of residency candidates. Components of the holistic review process include:

  • Personal Statement
  • Professional/personal experiences
  • Applicant interviews
  • Letters of recommendation/MSPE (Dean’s letter)
  • Academic achievements/Standardized test scores

See below for more specific application requirements.

US Allopathic Medical School Graduates

  • Has passed USMLE Step 1.
  • Application via the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) including:
    • A minimum of three letters of recommendation (letters from psychiatry supervisors are preferable if possible);
    • Dean’s letter;
    • Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital;
    • Personal statement (there are no specific requirements for the personal statement but in general it should explain why you are interested in a psychiatry residency and justify why you would be a good candidate); and
    • Photograph.
    • We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter.”

US Osteopathic Medical School Graduates

  • Has passed COMLEX Step 1.
  • Application via the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) including:
    • A minimum of three letters of recommendation (letters from psychiatry supervisors are preferable if possible);
    • Dean’s letter;
    • Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital;
    • Personal statement (there are no specific requirements for the personal statement but in general it should explain why you are interested in a psychiatry residency and justify why you would be a good candidate); and
    • Photograph.
    • We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter.”

International Medical School Graduates

  • Has passed USMLE Step 1 Clinical Skills Exam.
  • Appropriate medical education to train in a large US teaching hospital.
  • Previous psychiatry residency experiences, observership or clinical experience in the US is strongly preferred.
  • Previous degree in US, (i.e. MPH) is also desirable.
  • Application via the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) including:
    • A minimum of three letters of recommendation (letters from psychiatry supervisors are preferable if possible);
    • Dean’s letter;
    • Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital;
    • Personal statement (there are no specific requirements for the personal statement but in general it should explain why you are interested in a psychiatry residency and justify why you would be a good candidate); and
    • Photograph.
    • We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter.”
  • US citizenship, green card, or a J-1 Visa are preferred. H1 visas may be considered on a case by case basis.

Couples Match

We encourage couples match applications and will make every attempt to streamline interview dates and times for both applications. More information on couples matching can be found on the National Resident Matching Program website.

The Interview

All interview invitations will be sent out through Interview Broker.  Applicants will be able to self-schedule into their preferred date and can be added to a waiting list as well. All sessions will be conducted live virtually via Zoom. An interview day will include the following:

Night Prior to the Interview

  • Social Hour with the Residents

Interview Day

  • Begins at 8:30 a.m. (Central Time)
  • Program Overview Presentation with the Chief Resident
  • Welcome with the Department Chair
  • Interviews with the Program Director, Associate Program Director, Chief Resident and a Faculty Member
  • Group Wrap-up with the Program Director
  • Concludes at 12:50 p.m. (Central Time)