General Surgery Application Information

Please note:

  • Candidates must be a medical school graduate after July 1, 2022.
  • All incoming residents will be required to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated.
  • Some of our programs will be using the ERAS supplemental application to enhance their holistic reviews of program applicants. Participating in this supplemental application is optional. There is no penalty for choosing not to take part in the supplemental application program.

As a General Surgery resident physician at CMU College of Medicine, you will benefit from the Saginaw-area's large and varied patient population. Our partnerships with the primary referral hospitals for patients from mid- and northeastern Michigan mean the breadth of patient experience here is unmatched.

Throughout your residency program, you will split your time between patient care and learning opportunities such as lectures and events. You will have the opportunity to care for patients in CMU Health clinics, partner hospitals and affiliate community health organizations across the Great Lakes Bay Region

Resident requirements

The resident physician must have the ability to work in an intermittently fast paced, high-volume, high-risk environment. The resident physician must have the ability to simultaneously do many activities including caring for multiple patients at one time block and to document notes relating to his/her personal involvement in their care, to be interrupted for critical patient care events and to instruct and supervise medical students and other learners. The resident physician must have the dexterity and arm/grip strength to perform life-saving maneuvers and procedures subject to their specialty training.

The resident physician must have the ability to tolerate long periods of sitting, standing, or walking, and be able to bend and stoop frequently. The resident physician must be able to sit, stand, or walk for more than eight (8) hours per day. The resident physician must be able to work for up to 12 hours at a time, evenings, nights, and weekends and have the ability to tolerate shift rotations to cover their share of the 24/7 nature of patient care. 

The resident physician must be able to respond to and interpret applicable diagnostic screening data, to hear and interpret stethoscope sounds, to use senses (vision, hearing, smell, touch) to recognize changes in the patient's condition, to hear or be notified of situations such as patient calls/alarms.   The resident physician must be capable of reading information, expressing medical information in English and communicating clearly with patients.

All applicants must be qualified to meet the respective American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) requirements for training.

Application process

To apply for our ACGME residency programs, you must submit an application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). For more information on how to apply via ERAS, contact your medical school dean of student affairs, or visit the  ERAS web site to review application procedures. Our programs participate in the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Applications to our ACGME residency programs should include:

  • ERAS common application form with personal statement
  • Dean's letter
  • Medical school transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • USMLE transcripts (MD) OR
  • COMLEX transcripts (DO)
  • ECFMG certificate (for international medical graduates only)

Application requirements

Eligibility requirements for ACGME programs:

Requirements for international medical students:

  • Graduates of non-U.S. based medical schools must have a medical degree and fulfill all educational requirements to practice medicine in the country where the degree was obtained.
  • Applicants who are not US Citizens must be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa or have permanent employment status in the U.S. All applicants from international medical schools must have a valid  ECFMG certificate before June 1, 2025. We will follow the Requirements for ECFMG Certification for 2025 Match.

Institutional residency requirements (no exceptions):

  • All incoming residents will be required to be fully Covid-19 vaccinated.
  • Applications only accepted through ERAS.
  • We do not sponsor H1-B Visas. We will follow the ECFMG rules regarding J-1 Visa status.
  • We do not prescreen applications prior to submission of ERAS application.
  • Students interested in Couples Matching should review the  Couples Match Policy before applying.
  • Male applicants with U.S. Citizenship (including dual citizenship) must be registered for selective service.
  • All applicants must provide transcripts from all medical schools attended. Failure to provide transcripts from all medical schools attended will result in loss of interview. 
  • Applicants with documented ethical or professional behavior as reported by the medical school personnel must submit a letter of support from the medical school or by the applicant themselves. 
  • All incoming residents will be expected to provide evidence of the following:
  • USMLE/COMLEX/APMLE Score, Part I and Part II
  • Drug test
  • Immunization verification
  • PPD verification
  • Background check
  • Fingerprinting

These are considered disqualifying events. If any of these conditions/events are noted in the application, that application will not be considered for interview or ranking.

  • Any felony conviction as this conviction often impedes and may preclude a graduate from obtaining a full-unrestricted medical license.
  • Any misdemeanor conviction in the last three years which could have resulted in a sentence of two years or longer (“high” misdemeanors) as this conviction often impedes and may preclude a graduate from obtaining a full-unrestricted medical license.
  • Any alcohol or drug (prescription or illicit)-related convictions, including DUI/DWI, as these convictions often impede and may preclude a graduate from obtaining a full, unrestricted medical license. (This does not apply to simple isolated open container and minor-in-possession type of citations). Consideration may be made for isolated incidents in the distant past. If concerned about eligibility, applicant should submit a “ Request for Preliminary Determination” to the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing.
  • Matriculation from a medical school that we cannot verify as an LCME, AOA, or CPME equivalent educational program--this is above and beyond ECFMG certification. International schools must be listed on the  Medical Board of California due to the requirements of our partner hospitals.  The school must be explicitly listed under #3 on the MBC website - schools listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools (WFME or FAIMER) only are not included.
  • For residency positions, greater than three years since graduation from medical school or the conclusion of formal medical education (residency training). Must be a medical school graduate after July 1, 2022. Exceptions made for those who started medical school prior to that date and:
    • Graduated and went immediately into a U.S. residency program (ACGME, AOA, or CPME accredited).
    • Are required to be on active federal service (e.g. military pay back, DoD, NHS, IH).
    • Are in an advanced degree program (e.g. MPH, PhD) while remaining clinically active with hands on experience in the United States. Shadowing in the U.S. does not count for being clinically active.
  • For fellowship positions, greater than three years without clinical activity.
  • Two or more failures on any part/s of the USMLE or COMLEX.
  • Requirement to repeat or remediate two or more courses or clerkships while in medical school.

Please see more specific requirements in the specialty web pages.

If you have questions about these requirements, contact the DIO, GME Office at  cmedgme@cmich.edu.