FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I APPLY TO YOUR PROGRAM?

Please apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and register for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The official name of our program is the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at Staten Island University Hospital Program. Because Lenox Hill Hospital is also a major affiliated training site, you may hear our program referred to as Staten Island – Lenox Hill or SIUH-LHH. Our NRMP Program Code: 1515180A0

IS THERE AN APPLICATION DEADLINE?

Our application deadline is January 1st but we strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Interviews are offered on a rolling basis so the sooner the application is submitted, the sooner we will have a chance to review it.

DOES MY APPLICATION HAVE TO BE COMPLETE BEFORE I SUBMIT IT TO ERAS?

No. You can submit additional documents through ERAS when available. However, applications must be complete prior to the application deadline to be eligible for interview offers.

HOW MANY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION SHOULD I HAVE?

We require three letters of recommendation.

DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT A LETTER FROM A NEUROLOGIST?

At least one of your three required letters of recommendation should be from a neurologist preferably practicing in the United States.

WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO RECEIVE AN INTERVIEW OFFER?

Interview offers will be sent on a rolling basis as applications are received. The earlier the complete application is received by our program, the sooner the interview offer will be sent.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I RECEIVE AN INTERVIEW OFFER?

Please notify our staff within 72 hours upon receipt of your interview offer if you plan on accepting the interview. Instructions on scheduling interviews will then be sent to you. When you decide to interview with us, also let us know if you are interested in a preliminary position at our institutions so we can coordinate with our internal medicine programs. When interview schedules are finalized, our staff will contact you to confirm your interview dates and schedules.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY INTERVIEW DAY?

Interviews will conform to the requirements of ACGME and the American Association of Neurology (AAN) regarding travel and social distancing. All interviews will be held remotely using the online video-conferencing platform Zoom. In general, interviews are held in half-day sessions and include a combination of faculty interviews and informational sessions. Details regarding the structure and schedule of the interview will be available once interviews are offered.

IS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO APPLY TO YOUR PROGRAM?

Research experience is not required to apply for our program.

DO I HAVE TO APPLY SEPARATELY FOR A PRELIMINARY POSITION?

Our program offers guaranteed preliminary medicine positions within our institutions at Staten Island University Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital through our joint A/P track. If you are interested in matching in our Joint A/P track, please submit your application directly to the SIUH and LHH preliminary medicine programs for them to review your application. The Joint A/P track has a specific NRMP code which you must add to your Supplemental Rank Order List if you want guaranteed preliminary medicine spots at our institution when you match with us. We coordinate with the SIUH and LHH preliminary medicine programs so that if you match with us, you will also be offered a place in their preliminary medicine program. If you are interested in one of these positions, make sure to rank both programs in order of your preference on you supplemental rank order list. For more information see here.

CAN I INTERVIEW FOR NEUROLOGY AND PRELIMINARY MEDICINE DURING THE SAME VISIT?

No. Interviews for Neurology and Medicine are not held concurrently. Details of the preliminary medicine programs will be available on the day of your neurology interview. If you are interested in one of our Joint A/P track preliminary medicine programs, please apply to them separately so that they have you on their applicant list. Our preliminary medicine partners will then determine if a separate preliminary medicine interview is required. Please contact our program coordinator for more information on how to schedule an additional preliminary medicine interview if you have been already invited to interview with our program.

DO YOU HAVE A CUT-OFF FOR YEAR OF GRADUATION FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL?

No. However, we strongly prefer applicants who have graduated from medical school within the past 5 years or have been continuously involved with clinical work.

DO YOU HAVE MINIMUM USMLE OR COMLEX SCORE REQUIREMENTS?

We do not a specific minimum score requirements but a passing score on USMLE Step I and Step II (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) or COMLEX Level I and Level 2 is required for all trainees prior to beginning a Northwell GME program.

DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES?

Yes, international medical graduates are a valuable part of our program’s diversity. We require IMG applicants to have ECFMG certification to be considered for an interview.

DO YOU REQUIRE US CLINICAL EXPERIENCE?

While we do not have specific requirements, we strongly prefer applicants with United States clinical experience. Hands-on clinical rotations are preferable to observerships when possible. At least one of your letters of recommendations should be from a supervising physician during your US clinical experience.

DO I HAVE TO BE ECFMG CERTIFIED TO APPLY TO YOUR PROGRAM?

Yes. You should be ECFMG certified when applying and must be certified when invited to interview.

DO YOU PROVIDE VISAS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES?

Yes, we provide J1 visas for applicants who match with us. Applicants usually continue on the type of visa they held during internship (provided to them by the Medicine departments either at our hospitals or at outside institutions).

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