How to Apply

Orthopaedic Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine!

Our program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applications and required documents are only accepted through the  Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

The ETSU Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program will have two (2) PGY-1 positions available for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Application Information

The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at ETSU selects its residents from eligible applications based on their demonstrated preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and the ability to work as part of a team.  Our program does not discriminate in the selection of our residents on the basis of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected status.  

  • Interview Invitations

    Our program will distribute invitations to interview on November 18, 2024 at 12:00pm ET as part of the AOA, CORD Universal Interview Offer Day.  All invitations will be sent via Thalamus.

    Our program will only extend invitations for the amount of interview spots that are available. Applicants will need to accept or decline their invitation by November 21, 2024 at 12:00pm ET.  If an applicant declines or does not respond by Thursday, November 21st at 12:00pm ET, the program will extend an invitation to another applicant.

    We recommend students become familiar with the AOA, CORD Universal Offer Day process.  

    All applicants receiving an interview offer will have been contacted by November 22, 2024 at 12:00pm. However, there may be a rare occasion when, due to cancellation, someone would be contacted later in the season. 

    Interviews will be held on Saturday, January 11th, and Saturday, January 25th.

  • Minimum Qualifications

    Student rotations are encouraged but are not required to match.

    Exam Scores

    • Allopathic students:
      • USMLE Step 1 score of at least 240 on the first attempt if taken prior to January 26, 2022

    OR

      • PASS on the first attempt if taken after January 26, 2022
    • Osteopathic Students
      • COMLEX Level 1 score of at least 600 on the first attempt if taken prior to May 22, 2022

     OR

      • PASS on the first attempt if taken after May 22, 2022

    Medical Education

    All applicants should be scheduled to graduate from an accredited U.S. Medical School or equivalent thereof in May/June.  

    We prefer graduation from medical school to be within the last one (1) year. If it has been longer than one year, include in writing, what you have been doing in the field of medicine.

  • Preferred Qualifications

    Preference will be given to applicants who:

    • Have taken USMLE Step 2 with a first attempt passing score of at least 240.

    OR

    • Have taken COMLEX Level 2 with a first attempt passing score of at least 600.

    AND

    • Have actively participated in research.

     

    Step 3 is not required, but if taken, must have passed on first attempt. 

  • Application Requirements

    To apply to our program, applicants must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) in ERAS.  

    The following must be included before applications will be reviewed:

    • MSPE/Dean's Letter
    • Medical school transcript
    • Official USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 score reports
      • USMLE Step 2 or COMLEX Level 2 are not required but are preferred.
    • At least 3 letters of recommendation (standardized letter of recommendation and traditional narrative letters are both accepted)
      • We recommend letters written from the following:
        • Orthopaedic Surgery Department Chair or Program Director
        • Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Member
        • Non-Orthopaedic Faculty Member (only 1 of 3)
    • Personal Statement
    • Color photo
Resident Appointment
  • Resident Contract

    Candidates who Match into the ETSU Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program must submit to and pass a criminal background check prior to signing their contract.

  • Salary & Benefits


    Salary and benefit information can be found here.

  • COVID-19 Mandates

    Our affiliate hospitals and surgical centers mandate all residents be up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccination per CDC guidelines, or have an exemption for medical or religious reasons (subject to review and approval). 

    Health care workers, including resident physicians, who are out of compliance may not be permitted to participate in direct patient care. 

  • Visa

    Only J-1 Visas are sponsored at this training institution.

For further information, please contact our Program Manager,
Caitlin Bailey Smith at smithcb2@etsu.edu

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