How often are residents on call?
Residents are on call every fourth night during most of the months of our five-year training. You get an average of one day off out of seven.

How many days of vacation do residents receive?
Four weeks (28 days) of PTO vacation/sick days. 

What is Inova Health System's history with residency programs?
Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children have a long history in preparing residents and medical students from nearby medical schools. We have primary residencies in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine and have over 100 residents from Georgetown, George Washington, and Howard universities in medicine, obstetrics, surgery and psychiatry. Many of the attending staff in our program had or currently have teaching appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University-Inova Campus. 

Where do residents live? How high is the standard of living?
Most residents live within a 15-mile radius of the hospital. Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children are in Northern Virginia, located near the Capital Beltway and within the Washington, D.C., metro area. The hospitals are fairly accessible from all directions, with commutes typically ranging around 30 minutes from any one direction. Northern Virginia has enjoyed explosive growth over the past 20 years. The high-tech industry is well established along the Dulles Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Dulles International Airport. Fairfax County has one of the best public school systems in the country. All of this has lead to an influx of professionals and a higher standard of living

Does the program participate in ERAS and match?
Yes.

What are the restrictions on year of graduation?
An applicant has be a graduate of medical school within the last 5 years.

Do you call applicants for interview who have attempt in USMLE exams with abundant clinical and research experience in the U.S.?
Yes.

What are the minimum score requirements for USMLE?
An applicant needs a minimum score of 210.

Do you sponsor J1 visa?
ECFMG sponsors J1 visa.

Do you require applicants to be certified by the ECFMG before the interview?
No, an applicant needs to be certified by ECFMG by the time he/she matches with us.

Do you require U.S. clinical experience from applicants?
Yes, our program requires a mandatory three months of clinical experience.

Do you consider observership as U.S. clinical experience?
No.

Do you offer observership or externship?
No.

Do you require any non-U.S. clinical experience?
No.

Does the program consider application from foreign medical graduates (FMGs)?
Yes.

What is the last date of applying for the program?
November 30.

Does the program require USMLE step2 CS passing in first attempt?
Yes.

How many categorical and preliminary positions does the program offer each year?
Our program has three categorical positions available each year.

Is pre-match offered?
No.

Does passing USMLE Step 3 increase the competitiveness of the applicant?
No.

Can I apply with Step 1 and Step 2 CS, and give Step 2 CK after my application, such that I make sure my results of Step 2 CK are available before the deadline for application?
Yes.

Are there specific requirements regarding letters of recommendations?
We require three letters of recommendation from U.S. or Canadian physicians, including, if possible, the Chair of Surgery or designee and a Dean's letter (or equivalent). IMGs must have letters of recommendation which clearly document U.S. or Canadian clinical experience.