How to Apply

We will proceed in the 2026-27 match season in alignment with the AAIM Recommendations for the Internal Medicine Residency Interview Season. All applications will be reviewed based on holistic review principles and practices as outlined by the AAMC. We follow the framework outlined by the AAMC for resident assessment at multiple steps in our recruiting process. All faculty members and staff are trained in implicit bias, specifically as it pertains to the assessment of applicants; our process is designed to incorporate principles of mitigating bias.

We consider a program signal to reflect sincere interest in our program and will preferentially review applications from those who signal our program.  We will continue to consider applicants who do not signal our program.

Review Process

We will start our review process on September 23, 2026, and will release invites three waves on the following dates:

  • October 9, 2026
  • October 30, 2026
  • December 18, 2026

All applicants whose application is submitted by October 19, 2026, will be notified by October 30th of their status: invited, under review, or declined. All applicants under review will have a final status identified by December 18, 2026. All applicants that accept an interview invitation within 48 hours will be guaranteed an interview slot though they may be placed on a waiting list and are not guaranteed specific dates.

Interview Process

All interviews for the 2026-27 season will be conducted virtually.

Our half-day interview will include the following activities:

  • Welcome by Chair or DIO
  • Program overview
  • Interviews with program leadership team and faculty members
  • Meet the resident session
  • Session on benefits

On site Visits

We will host on site visits in February. 

Application Requirements

We review all applications through ERAS. We require the following components in the application in order to assist us with a full, holistic review:

  • ERAS application
  • Personal statement
  • MSPE
  • Four letters of recommendation, one of which must be a Department of Internal Medicine SEL (Standardized Evaluation letter). We do not require that the other letters be from Internal Medicine physicians.
  • USMLE or COMLEX documents

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to  IMresidency@valleyhealthlink.com .

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs will select from among eligible applicants on the basis of residency program-related criteria such as their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity.

Minimum Requirements

An applicant must meet or exceed the following minimum qualification(s) to be eligible for selection and appointment to Valley Health's GME residency programs:

  • Be a graduate of a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or
  • Be a graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or
  • Be a graduate of a non-LCME- or AOA-approved medical school who also meets one of the following additional qualifications:
    • holds a currently-valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment; or
    • holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a United States licensing jurisdiction in his or her current ACGME specialty/subspecialty program; or
    • has graduated from a medical school outside the United States and has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by a LCME-accredited medical school.
  • Passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 or COMLEX 1 and 2 within three attempts, as required by the Virginia Medical Board.
  • Be eligible for a VA resident training license.
  • Be eligible to work in the U.S. (citizen, permanent resident, eligible visa including J1).
  • Must have graduated within the past three years.

Valley Health does not support H1B visas.

VISA Sponsorship

Valley Health GME does not directly sponsor residents or fellows that need a J-1 Sponsorship VISA. Non-U.S. citizen applicants needing visa sponsorship must secure this directly from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The ECFMG is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for the purpose of participating in U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a BridgeUSA sponsor for J-1 exchange visitor physicians enrolled in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training, or advanced research programs (involving primarily observation, consultation, teaching, or research). Although many universities and research institutions in the United States are authorized to sponsor exchange visitors as research scholars, ECFMG is the sole sponsor of J-1 physicians in clinical training programs.