Admission Application Process and Requirements

We seek applicants who demonstrate a genuine commitment to the field of plastic surgery and a passion for clinical excellence. The following criteria guide our review of integrated residency applications: 

Letters of Recommendation:  A minimum of three (3) letters from U.S. or Canadian physicians are required. Letters from plastic surgeons are strongly preferred. 

USMLE Step 2 CK:  A score of 235 or above is highly recommended for competitive consideration. 

Clinical Performance:  Above all, we prioritize clinical excellence and a demonstrated dedication to learning and continuous self-improvement. Performance on Sub-Internship rotations and the strength of recommendation letters are heavily weighted when considering applicants for residency. 

Research:  Scholarly activity is valued and encouraged, but not required for consideration. 

All applications and other supporting materials for the Emory Plastic Surgery Independent Residency must be submitted using the SF Match system.

Prospective plastic surgery residents can officially begin requisite training after completion of any of the prerequisite options, which require confirmation by the Board.

Currently, the Emory Independent Plastic Surgery Residency has two options for admission qualification:

Option 1 Requirements:

Five years of ACGME-approved clinical general surgery residency training with progressive responsibility sufficient to qualify for certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). All training must be completed before the resident enters a plastic surgery residency.

Option 2 Requirements:

Available to residents who have completed a formal training program and have satisfied the training to apply for/or are certified in the following: general surgery (including the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery), neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, thoracic surgery, urology, or oral and maxillofacial surgery (the latter requiring two years of clinical general surgery training in addition to an MD/DDS or DMD). Successful completion of these ACGME or ADA accredited programs fulfills the prerequisite training requirement.

Rules for foreign medical graduates may vary from year to year and from state to state. It is the applicant's responsibility to understand current requirements.

All applications and other supporting materials for the Emory Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency must be submitted using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Prospective residents must have a medical or osteopathic degree granted in the U.S. or Canada by an institution accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Graduates of U.S. or Canadian allopathic medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) who have successfully completed the licensure requirements in a United States jurisdiction are deemed to have appropriate undergraduate medical credentials. The training program must be approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) during all years of training completed.