As a resident in the Department of Surgery, you will take progressive responsibility as an integral member of Ohio State’s surgical team, delivering state-of-the-art patient care, expanding your knowledge and skills as you teach medical students and contributing to innovations in medicine through translational research and clinical outcomes studies. From myriad clinical experiences to conferences where you will present your research, you will learn to thrive as a qualified, independent specialist in the rewarding, often lifesaving, field of surgery.
How do I apply to the General Surgery Residency Program?
We accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) of the National Resident Matching Program. Our program ID is “Oho State University Hospital Program”. Your application will need to include the following components:
- Current curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
- A letter of recommendation from your Department of Surgery Chair, Program Director, Associate Program Director, or Clerkship Director
- Two additional letters of recommendation – You will not be penalized for uploading more than two additional letters of recommendation.
Do you accept Foreign/International Medical Graduates?
Yes, foreign/international medical graduates may apply to our training program via the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the ERAS. Applicants must have a valid ECFMG certificate and must be eligible for ECFMG sponsorship for the J-1 visa as an exchange visitor for the entire program. When applying to the program, applicants must hold, or be eligible for:
- A valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- A J-1 Clinical Visa
- Apply within five years of graduation from medical school
- Have at least one year of clinical experience in an accredited clinical training program in the United States or one year of academic research
What is your review process?
The OSU General Surgery Program seeks applicants who embody our core values and are prepared to excel in a high-volume, high-acuity training environment. We take a holistic approach to application review, giving thoughtful attention to each candidate’s individual qualities, academic preparation, and life experiences. Due to our commitment to careful evaluation and the volume of applications we receive, we begin our review process as soon as ERAS submissions become available.
What does a typical interview day look like?
- Thursday morning interviews, with optional recruitment socials the Wednesday evening before
- A program overview given by our Program Director and other members of our team
- Three total interviews -a member of program leadership, one faculty member, and one chief resident
- Time to meet some of our current residents
- The opportunity to join us for chief Grand Rounds
When are your interview dates?
- November 20,2025
- December 4, 2025
- December 11, 2025
- January 8, 2026
How many positions does your program have?
We have seven categorical positions and up to five preliminary positions. Our program does not offer a pre-match. All positions are offered through the NRMP.
When does your program start?
The official start date is July 1st; however, orientation starts roughly three weeks prior and is mandatory.
When will I know if I am selected for an interview?
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified via Thalamus beginning mid-October. We accept applications from the time ERAS opens in September through mid-December each year. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will also be notified via Thalamus by the end of January.
Are residents required to complete research training?
Upon completion of their second or third clinical training year, general surgery residents will dedicate one to two full-time years without clinical training toward research education and training, including a mentored research project and completion of an advanced degree such as a Master of Medical Science or a Master of Public Health. Some residents may choose to pursue a one-year Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. Find out more about our Research Training Program.
Is Ohio State a good fit for you?
Choosing a residency program is a big decision. Here are key questions to ask – and what our own residents say matters most.
Does the program offer you research opportunities? Does it provide the level of clinical training you’re searching for? What is the depth and breadth of the faculty? And most importantly, can you see yourself here? These are all important factors to consider when determining if a program is right for you. Here’s what recent residents have told us:
“The perfect applicant for our program is someone who has the ability to work hard, efficiently, creatively and intelligently while providing humble and compassionate care to our patients,” said a rising chief resident.
“An applicant who is personable, a team player, a leader and motivated to be involved in clinical and research opportunities would be the best fit here,” asserted a second-year resident; “The best applicants are the ones who can work seamlessly in a multidisciplinary environment.”
“The best applicants are the ones who can work seamlessly in a multidisciplinary environment.” A first-year resident said that because Ohio State is a major academic center, it is an ideal place for residents seeking a strong academic environment. “Research is also important to the department so if you’re passionate about scholarly work, OSU is a great fit.”
How to make the most of your interview
Coming to your interview prepared is a key step in successfully becoming an Ohio State Department of Surgery resident
Interviewing for residency placements can be daunting. You’ll be asked a lot of questions and you should be prepared to answer honestly. Additionally, you should come armed with plenty of inquiries about the program – being informed will point you to the right decision. These tips from our residents will help ensure you’re ready for the conversation:
"The purpose of the interview day is for you to learn about all the great opportunities offered here at OSU and for us to get to know you", said one fourth-year resident. “If you’ve been offered an interview, you have all the requisites of a great applicant and the interview day is a chance to see if we’ll be a good fit."
"To make the most of your interview day, bring specific questions you want to ask about our program but also pay attention to how the residents interact with each other and with the faculty", said a third-year resident. “You’ll see that the environment at OSU is one that a lot of applicants seek in a program."
A second-year resident advised applicants to “come prepared knowing yourself and what you are looking for. Yes, we’re critically looking at you to see if you're a good fit and that is nerve-racking – but you should be doing the same thing with us. Ask us the tough questions, push us on things that appear weak and test us so that you can figure out if we are a good fit for you." she said.
What are the strengths of the program?
Ohio State’s general surgery residency offers many advantages as you begin your career.
Every program has its own particular strengths. Great facilities, leading-edge programs, research opportunities and solid academics all contribute to an institution’s effectiveness and reputation. Yet our residents all agree it’s the people – the leadership, faculty, staff and co-residents – who are the true strength at Ohio State.
A second-year resident said the best part about the program is definitely the faculty and staff. “OSU continues to recruit many world-renowned surgeons across all divisions who are invested in training the next generation of surgeons. The collegiality among the faculty, staff and residents truly fosters an exceptional environment for surgical training.”
The biggest strength of our program at Ohio State is the leadership, said a chief resident. “Our department chair and program director, along with other leaders in research and education, are all extremely supportive and have a strong investment in the development of future leaders in academic surgery.”
Said a first-year resident, “My co-residents are great doctors and even better people, but beyond them every team member from PCAs to nurses to pharmacists are incredibly proud to be part of the OSU team. Collectively we take the best care of our patients and that makes our jobs as residents incredibly easy.”
“I think an underrated strength of our program is that the leadership is willing to change to support the current residents rather than staying in stasis because ‘it’s always been done that way,’” said another second-year resident.