Frequently
Asked Questions

We are looking for applicants who aspire to be exceptional clinicians, scholars, and transformational leaders in psychiatric practice, systems, research, education, innovation and/or advocacy. Successful applicants are self-motivated learners who prioritize teamwork, collaboration, working toward a common mission, and collectively contributing to a learning environment that fosters joy in the workplace.

While Sub-I's are not mandatory for applicants, they are strongly recommended and count toward the creation of the rank list. Applicants who cannot complete a Sub-I prior to interviewing are encourage to complete a Sub-I prior to beginning internship.

We are not participating in the supplemental application process. We welcome applicants who want to indicate special interest in our program to do so in the personal statement, however this is not necessary to be considered for an interview.

We encourage international medical graduates with specific interest in our program to email the program in addition to submitting an application through ERAS. International medical graduate applicants with advanced doctorate degrees (Ph.D., D.Phil.) are most competitive. International medical graduates must be ECFMG certified. We are able to sponsor visas.

Most residents do have cars to facilitate transportation to off-site rotations. However, some residents rely solely on public transportation (The “T”), ride sharing and rental services such as zipcar. Many residents also use the Hubway bicycle sharing program to commute and get around the city. Discounted T passes and Hubway passes are available for BWH/HMS residents. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Boston and Massachusetts Mental Health Center are all easily accessible via the green line (“E” line: Brigham Circle stop or “D” line: Longwood stop). Faulkner Hospital is accessible via the Partner’s Shuttle Bus, the orange line, or the 38 bus. McLean hospital is in Belmont MA, about 30 minutes (9 miles) from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It is accessible via MBTA 73 bus or the Fitchburg Line commuter rail. However most residents will prefer a car when traveling to McLean. Hubway: https://www.thehubway.com/

In an effort to preserve equity, we will not be offering formal in-person visits, however we do encourage residents who have never been to Boston or New England to visit the area. We have curated a walking tour map for visitors to see key parts of the Longwood Medical Area campus, including Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Countway Medical Library.

Yes. Applicants interested in the Research and Child Tracks should apply to their respective track of interest in addition to the categorial residency program. Residents interested in a child psychiatry research career are encouraged to apply to all three tracks. We are able to offer much flexibility for residents who apply to the Research and/or Child Tracks but end up matching on the categorical track. Our categorical program includes substantial time that can be used for research experiences and residents interested in a research career may also have the opportunity to apply to transfer into the Research Track in PGY2. For residents who don't end up matching to the Child Track we are able to offer pediatrics rotations at Boston Children's Hospital and specialty young adult longitudinal clinic experiences at Brigham Psychiatric Specialties. NRMP Codes: Categorical Track -1265400C0 Research Track -1265400C1 Child Track -1265400C2

Yes, applicants who would like to apply for the research track are encouraged to select both tracks when applying through ERAS. We do not require any supplementary application materials for individuals applying to the Research Track, but strongly encourage you to share about your research interests through your personal statement. If you are invited to interview for the Research Track, prior to your interview day you will have the opportunity to update us about your research interests and faculty members you might like to meet through an optional brief survey. When possible, we try to connect you with people of interest on your interview day.

Not at all! We understand that interview scheduling is a complicated process. For Child Track, if there is a specific child faculty member with whom you'd like to speak please don't hesitate to email us and we can help make the proper connections. For the Research Track, all applicants who are invited to interview will have the same opportunity to complete an optional brief survey prior to their interview day (see FAQ #8).

We begin sending out interview invitations in mid-October and will do so weekly on Fridays at 4pm EST typically until early November. Once all of our interview slots are filled we continue to offer interviews on a rolling basis, into January, as some applicants may choose to cancel later in the season. If you have not received an invitation to interview by mid-November you are welcomed to send us an email indicating your continued strong interest in the program. We will never offer more interviews than slots available.

We utilize many strategies to eliminate unconscious bias from our application review process, including blinding reviewers to applicant photos and performing a holistic review of every application without using specific exam score cutoffs. At a minimum, we offer 25% of interview slots to applicants who identify as Underrepresented in Medicine (UIM). All members of our resident and faculty recruitment committee receive training from the Brigham and Women's Hospital Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)  in eliminating unconscious bias and best practices for recruitment of a diverse cohort of residents. We also have a newly established Chief Resident of DEI who will serve as a diversity advocate during post-interview recruitment committee feedback sessions.