Department of Emergency Medicine

The following are several frequently asked questions that applicants have regarding the program and application process.

• How do I apply to UIC’s Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine Combined Residency Program? All residents are accepted to the IM/EM program through the ERAS match. This acceptance is only at the PGY-1 level. Unfortunately, regardless of prior training, residents must complete 5 years at the University of Illinois at Chicago in order to successfully complete the program.
• If I apply to Emergency Medicine or Internal Medicine at UIC, can I also apply to IM/EM? While the IM/EM requires a separate submission to the NRMP/ERAS, applicants can apply to 2 (or all three programs). We do recommend that a separate personal statement be written specifically for the IM/EM program.
• If I am invited for an interview, does my IM/EM Interview count for the IM or EM programs as well?  As a separate program, we have an independent interview process.  We understand the complexities of the interview season and the challenges to time and finances for the students.  If a candidate is interested in interviewing for either parent program, we will work with the respective parent program to facilitate a visit which will meet the standard for both programs.  Please let us know in advance so that we can help to coordinate the process.
• If I request to interview with IM/EM and a parent program, will it reflect negatively on my application for either program?  No.  Given the paucity of combined training opportunities across the country, we understand that a student will look at other options.  We expect it.
• What letters of recommendation do I need to apply for the IM/EM program at UIC? We ask that all applicants have at least one letter from a respected Emergency Medicine physician as well as one letter from a respected Internal Medicine or Internal Medicine Subspecialty physician. All applicants must submit a minimum of three letters of recommendation.
• What type of personal statement should I write? Applicants who write a personal statement specifically targeted at combined training have a more competitive chance of matching into the program.
• What can I do to improve my chances in matching at UIC in IM/EM? Solid performance on all clinical rotations, not just internal medicine or emergency medicine is important. Board scores need to be competitive, but there is no minimum score for consideration in the program. Research, while not mandatory, will make any applicant more competitive. The application committee does ask that applicants demonstrate leadership and excellence in their activities outside of their medical pursuits.
• When can I schedule an interview? Applicants will be contacted by the interview committee after reviewing application materials. Interviews will take place on Thursdays in November and December. An applicant must interview at UIC to be considered for the program.
• What do graduates do upon completion of the IM/EM program? Graduates from the program have an oftentimes overwhelming variety of options upon completion of the program. UIC has placed graduates in academic as well as community emergency medicine. We have graduates actively working in internal medicine subspecialities (after completing further fellowship training) and general internal medicine. Currently, two UIC graduates are residency program directors and one is an ER department head. Graduates currently represent UIC on a national level.
• Does the University of Illinois at Chicago IM/EM Combined program consider graduates of osteopathic medical schools? Yes, however all applicants have to have passed the USMLE Step 1 examination for consideration.
• Does the University of Illinois at Chicago IM/EM Combined Program consider graduates of foreign medical schools? Yes, all applications are considered equally. For information on visa applications, visit the Office of Graduate Medical Education website. Of note, all combined programs in the US are non-ACGME-accredited and are subject to the provisions governing visa sponsorship.