The Department of Surgery

General Surgery Residency Program

Program Requirements & Eligibility

Application Information

Interviews for 2026-2027 will be virtual. Meet and greets will be provided the night before each interview date, also virtual.

Requirements

• No minimum USMLE score, however you must have passed on first attempt.
• One year of US experience is required for Foreign Medical Graduates (Only highly qualified FMG applicants will be considered.)
• J-1 Visa ONLY
• Must submit an ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Status Report at the time of application.
• No minimum year of graduation
• Osteopathic medical students must have taken the USMLE in addition to the COMLEX

Submission

All applicants should submit through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Our residency program is listed as "University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville" and our program ACGME ID is: 4404711321. The application must also include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement
• Medical School Transcript
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation
• USMLE Transcript (and COMLEX-USA Transcript for Osteopathic Medical Students)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• ABSITE scores if applicable

APPLICATION DEADLINE - OCTOBER 13

Process

After the application has submitted in ERAS, the completed application will be reviewed by the Pre-Selection Committee. Interviews for invited applicants will take place October-January.

By the Numbers

Applications Received: 957
Total Interviews: 112
USMLE: Average Step 2: 246

Positions
7 Categorical
4 Preliminary
2 Preliminary for OMFS
1 Preliminary Non-designated PGY2

Candidate Interview Information

Sample Agenda

The interview experience at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center College of Medicine, Knoxville begins the evening prior to the interview day with a Zoom Meet & Greet with our current residents beginning at 6:30p.m. This is a casual event so relax, enjoy, and begin learning more about the people involved with this program. A formal email with the Zoom information for both the Meet & Greet and the interview day will be provided in advance from the coordinator.

A typical interview day begins at 7:00a.m. with introduction and program overview by one of the residents. This is followed by a welcome from the Chairman, Michael B. Freeman, MD, and Program Director, Andrew Russ, MD, and Associate Program Directors at 7:45a.m. Interviews begin at 8:00a.m. with each candidate interviewing with three faculty members, fourth year residents, the Associate Program Directors, and the Program Director. 

Interview invitations will go out October 23, 2026 or later

NRMP Matched Residents Requirement

NRMP matched residents must complete the following prior to beginning training:
Clearance of Background Check: relating to references, criminal convictions, and government sanction or exclusion.
I-9 Employment Eligibility Form: Completion of the federally required I-9 employment eligibility form with supporting documentation.
Educational Background, Licenses, Certifications: Verification required for the position - See Requirements by Program and PGY level
Pre-Employment Health Clearance
Drug Screening Clearance