OUR VALUES
We value trainees and faculty that exhibit intellectual curiosity, a growth mindset, a collaborative ethos, humility, adaptability, and commitment to service.
We are seeking applicants who want to join an environment that emphasizes exceptional patient care, community engagement, diversity and representation, teamwork, educational innovation and leadership.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Any information submitted outside of ERAS cannot be accepted. For questions about the recruitment process please reach out to our recruitment coordinator Sarah Knower - sarah.knower@duke.edu. In line with recommendations from the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM), we do not participate in post-interview communication with applicants. We recognize that post-interview correspondence may inadvertently create undue stress or misinterpretations regarding an applicant's standing. We encourage applicants to reach out to our program office with any specific questions or for further information about our residency program as we are able to answer specific questions about program structure, life in Durham, etc. For any new information about the program (e.g. fellowship match results, etc.), we will communicate this will all invited applicants.
HOLISTIC REVIEW PROCESS
We are looking for applicants that meet our program's mission and values, which requires a holistic review process. This includes attention to an applicant’s individual interests, academic performance, community impact, and unique life experiences. We do not use the USMLE scores to stratify applicants.
HOW WE USE SIGNALING AND GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCING
We holistically review applications. One aspect of holistic review is to focus on applicants who express interest in our program using the ERAS signaling and geographic preferencing tools. While exceptions do exist, due to the high volume of applications, applicants should not expect an interview if they do not signal our program with either a gold or silver signal. Signaling, however, does not guarantee an interview.
Geographic preferencing is taken into account in the holistic review process, but is not required to receive an interview.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To apply for the Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program, submit the following documents:
- Completed ERAS application
- USMLE Step 1 report
- Medical school transcript
- Personal statement
- 3 or 4 letters of recommendation
- MSPE (Dean's letter)
- USMLE Step 2 will need to be successfully completed prior to starting at our program.
Applications submitted after October 14th, 2025 will not be reviewed. We do not accept PGY2 or PGY3 applications. We strongly encourage applicants to take USMLE Step 2 before March 1 to permit reporting of scores before the start of orientation in late June. Reporting of USMLE scores can take approximately 8 weeks
While we have several pathways for our residents, the PSTP (Physician Scientist Training Pathway) is the only pathway that has a separate NRMP number that requires a separate application. Applicants interested in our other pathways including Global Health, MLP-R, and R38 should apply to the categorical program and you will have an opportunity to request participation in additional interview and information sessions at the time you select your interview date.
TIMELINE FOR INTERVIEW OFFERS
Because of our holistic review process, we offer categorical and PSTP interviews on a rolling basis, beginning on October 14th, 2025. We will send a notification to applicants in advanced regarding the exact timing that interview offers will be released on October 14th. Given the abundance of highly qualified applicants to our program we do maintain a waitlist and we will continue to offer some interviews throughout the recruitment season. Timing of the interview offer is not reflective of our enthusiasm about your candidacy. We will never offer more interviews than we have spots, so if an interview is offered, you are guaranteed a date to complete the interview. PSTP interviews can be offered up to one week later than categorical interviews to allow division leadership enough time to review each applicant.
PRELIM APPLICANTS
Our two main Prelim Interview Dates for the 2025-2026 application season will be Monday October 27, 2025 and Thursday January 22, 2026. Because we know those applying to the preliminary program have a large number of secondary interviews, we offer flexible, shorter interview days for our preliminary candidates. If you are applying to our neurology program, a preliminary interview is not required. We do collaborate with our advanced programs at Duke to facilitate interviews for those offered interviews in our advanced programs.
INTERVIEW DATES
Interview dates are shown below for the 2025-2026 season:
INTERVIEW DAY OVERVIEW
Invited applicants will participate in a pre-interview virtual meet and greet with current residents, followed by a half day virtual interview day where they will hear from program leadership, meet one-on-one with the program director, and interview with a member of program leadership and an additional faculty member. Applicants will be sent a pre-interview survey to better understand their career interests to facilitate interview pairings where desired.
Several additional optional virtual information sessions will be hosted throughout the interview season including applicants interested in certain tracks, as well as an opportunity to meet non-medicine partners of current residents.
Invited applicants will receive access to an internal website with additional information on the program and interview day before their interview.
SECOND LOOK
Our program will be offering an optional in-person second look event AFTER our program list has been certified and locked. Attendance at the in-person second look will have no reflection on rank list status. Our second look date will be posted here once it is finalized.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Pay and benefits (which include health insurance) are very competitive. The Duke GME website has detailed information about annual stipends and benefits, as well as information on various policies, benefits and services available and applicable to residents.
Medicine-Pediatrics Combined Program
For information about applying to the Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, contact Program Director, Colby Feeney, MD at colby.wilson@duke.edu or contact Program Coordinator, Ashley Bowes at ashley.bowes@duke.edu or 919-681-3009.
Medicine-Psychiatry Combined Program
For information about applying to the Medicine-Psychiatry Residency Program, contact Program Director Nicole Helmke, MD at nicole.helmke@duke.edu or Program Coordinator, Bridget Copen, MBA at bridget.copen@duke.edu