Criteria for Candidacy

Training Program Eligibility Criteria for:

U.S. Medical School Graduates

Passing score on USMLE Step 1 (COMLEX score greater than 600 accepted as substitute). Prefer completion of USMLE Step 2

Application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) including:

  • A minimum of three letters of recommendation (letters from faculty or supervisors who know you personally are preferable)
  • 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 an anesthesiology residency and justify why you would be a good candidate)
  • Photograph
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • We do not require a "Chairman’s Letter," but you may submit it you have one

History of and commitment to excellence in academics and a strong interest in anesthesia

International Medical School Graduates

USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (CK) passing scores (no failures). Scores must be available before you can be considered for an interview

Passing grade on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) or the ECFMG’s Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) on the first attempt (no failures)

Or has received a valid, current ECFMG certificate

Medical school graduation date of 2010 or later

Appropriate medical education to train in a large U.S. teaching hospital

Previous anesthesia residency experiences, observership or clinical experience in the U.S. is strongly preferred

Previous degree in U.S., (i.e. MPH) is also desirable

Application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) including:

  • A minimum of three current letters of recommendation (letters from faculty or supervisors who know you personally are preferable)
  • 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 an anesthesiology residency and justify why you would be a good candidate)
  • Photograph
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • We do not require a "Chairman’s Letter," but you may submit it you have one

History of and commitment to excellence in academics and a strong interest in anesthesia

U.S. citizenship or an H-1b or J-1Visa.

The Department of Anesthesia at Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and UI Health Care shares the University of Iowa’s commitment to equal access and, consistent with its academic mission and standards, strives to achieve excellence through the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In the Department of Anesthesia, we are mindful of all aspects of human difference and define diversity in the broadest sense to mean inclusion of all persons. This means we do a holistic review of applications, with particular interest in recruiting applicants who have shown grit and resilience in their path to medicine, as well as potential to lead anesthesiology in the future.