Apply To Our Program
Application Deadline: October 1
Interview Season Timeline (2026-2027)
2026 Categorical interviews will be conducted in-person
The Stanford General Surgery Residency Program relies heavily on signals through ERAS as a sign of genuine interest in our program.
| October 1 | Application Deadline |
TBD | Applicants receive interview status (categoricals only); we follow the 2026 APDS Task Force application cycle recommendations. |
| November/December | In-Person Interviews and Social receptions (see dates below) |
| December | Preliminary applicants receive an interview invite |
| January | Preliminary applicant virtual interviews |
| October-January | Stanford GME Diversity Recruitment Sessions |
Each applicant will have the following four interviews:
1. One interview with both the PD and Chair
2. Three-panel interviews, each with two faculty or a faculty/resident
2026 in-person Interview Dates For Categoricals/SASS
November 16-17, 2026 (Mon-Tues)
All interviews will be in-person.
On Monday, November 16, ALL applicants are invited to an evening reception and program leadership presentation.
On Tuesday, November 17, ALL applicants will participate in a full interview day with resident presentations, faculty interviews, and breakout sessions.
November 30th and December 1, 2026 (Mon-Tues)
All interviews will be in-person.
On Monday, November 30, ALL applicants are invited to an evening reception and program leadership presentation.
On Tuesday, December 1, ALL applicants will participate in a full interview day with resident presentations, faculty interviews, and breakout sessions.
December 14-15, 2026 (Mon-Tues)
All interviews will be in-person.
On Monday, December 14, ALL applicants are invited to an evening reception and program leadership presentation.
On Tuesday, December 15, ALL applicants will participate in a full interview day with resident presentations, faculty interviews, and breakout sessions.
2027 Interview Dates For Preliminary Track
January 2027
Virtual interviews for preliminary applicants
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Requirements
To apply, you must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) on ERAS including the following:
- MSPE
- Medical school transcript with current surgery grades
- At least 3 letters of recommendation
- We are flexible with letters of recommendation and understand that not all letters will be in by our application deadline; however, they must be in ERAS by interview date
- Personal statement
- USMLE Step 1 results
- USMLE Step 2 scores (if available)
- Color photo
Application Deadline
Our program utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). If interested in applying, please coordinate with the Dean’s office at your medical school to submit your application materials via ERAS.
This year our application deadline is OCTOBER 1. No exceptions.
Foreign Medical Graduates
Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada :
- We sponsor J1 Visas; some H1B Visas are sponsored if from a US Medical School
- Must have a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
- No more than 2 years out of medical school
- At least 1 year of US clinical experience required
- We cannot offer an interview unless you meet all of our qualifications
Foreign graduates of medical schools within the United States and Canada : H1B Visas are sponsored at the program's discretion.
To obtain additional information about international medical school graduate qualifications, visit our GME website.
Graduate Medical Education (GME) Benefits
To obtain information about benefits and house-staff policies, please visit our GME website.
Tracks
Categorical
Standard Categorical Track (5+2)
We have reserved seven positions for our traditional categorical track. Residents in the 5+2 track receive 5 clinical years of complex surgical training culminating in the Chief year. Over the five years there is a progressive advancement of complexity and responsibility taken on by the residents. They are capable being independent surgeons at the end of this time period.
In addition these residents take two years of Professional Development time after their second year. The goal of these two years is to develop an expertise in a field of surgery that will distinguish each resident from others when they graduate. In the past residents have used this time period to join basic science laboratories, obtain other advanced degrees, complete a Surgical Education Fellowship,etc.
Standard track NRMP Code 1820440C0
Stanford Accelerated Surgeon Scientist (SASS) Categorical Track
One spot is reserved for the SASS track which is comprised of the same 5 years of clinical training as the standard track and 1 year of Professional Development time after PGY-3. Applicants interested in this position must specifically apply for the SASS track in ERAS. Applicants who apply to our SASS track should also apply to the 7-year categorical track.
We are seeking applicants with significant scientific training who are interested in advancing surgical science through research. SASS track residents will be assigned both clinical and research mentors to help guide their career advancement. Candidates that are competitive for this position typically include those with an advanced degree and have successfully published their work.
SASS track NRMP Code 1820440C1
Preliminary
Preliminary PGY1 Track
We have three or more preliminary PGY1 positions for applicants who want one year of general surgery training before their primary residency, such as anesthesia or radiology. We make every effort to ensure that the rotation schedules for preliminary surgery interns are similar to the categorical schedules. We can account for most specialty-specific rotation requests.
PGY 1 prelim interviews are scheduled as phone interviews; interviews take place in December.
Preliminary track NRMP Code 1820440P0
FAQ
We compiled a list of FAQs from our applicants.
Should you have additional questions, please contact our Program Team.
More Info
Residency Program Contact
If you have questions about the General Surgery residency program that have not been answered here, contact the General Surgery Residency Office at: