Application Information

We are glad that you are interested in our residency training program, and we welcome your application!  Please review the instructions and checklists associated with the positions for which you plan to apply.  Application materials which will not be transmitted through ERAS can be mailed to: 

Psychiatry Residency Training Program
University of Washington Medical Center
Box 356560
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195-6560

For additional information, please contact us by phone at (206) 543-6577 or by email at psychres@u.washington.edu.

PGY-1 Applicants

All PGY-1 positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).  The deadline for application and letters of reference is November 1st of the year prior to the starting year.  Applications received after this will be considered on a very limited, case-by-case basis.

Applications are screened and interviews are generally scheduled for full days on Mondays and Tuesdays, from late October through January.   An interview day offers the applicant the opportunity to meet with several faculty and residents and to visit various clinical sites.

PGY-1 applicants may apply to our Seattle Track, Idaho Track, Alaska Track, or any combination of tracks. These tracks are separate residency programs, with different match numbers and curricula.  Decisions regarding interview invitations are made separately for each track.

The NRMP requires that residency programs provide applicants with the agreement that they would need to sign upon matching with the program.  Please click to view the University of Washington Resident Position Appointment.

Application Checklist for the PGY-1 Applicant

• ERAS Common Application Form (MyERAS Application)
• A one to two page narrative statement which includes your reasons for choosing psychiatry as a specialty.
• Curriculum Vitae
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation from faculty or professional staff at your medical school or hospitals where you have worked, including at least one letter from a psychiatrist.
• Official medical or osteopathic school transcript
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE or Dean’s Letter)
• USMLE or COMLEX scores

PGY-2 Applicants

All PGY-2 positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).  The deadline for application and letters of reference is December 31st of the year prior to the starting year.  Applications received after this will be considered on a very limited, case-by-case basis.

Applications are screened and interviews are generally scheduled for full days on Mondays and Tuesdays, from late October through January.   An interview day offers the applicant the opportunity to meet with several faculty and residents and to visit various clinical sites.

PGY-2 applicants may apply to our Seattle Track, Idaho Track, or both. These are separate residency programs, with different match numbers and curricula.  Decisions regarding interview invitations are made separately for each track.

The NRMP requires that residency programs provide applicants with the agreement that they would need to sign upon matching with the program.  Please click to view the University of Washington Resident Position Appointment.

Prior training requirements for PGY-2 Applicants

• Completion of one clinical year of accredited, broad-based training in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Pediatrics in the United States;
• OR an ACGME-accredited transitional year;
• OR one year of an ACGME-accredited residency in a clinical specialty requiring comprehensive and continuous patient care.

Application Checklist for the PGY-2 Applicant

• ERAS Common Application Form
• A one to two page narrative statement which includes your reasons for choosing psychiatry as a specialty.
• Curriculum Vitae
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation from faculty or professional staff at your medical school or hospitals where you have worked.  Letters should be addressed to Deborah Cowley, M.D., Director, Residency Training Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
• Official medical or osteopathic school transcript
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE or Dean’s Letter)
• USMLE or COMLEX scores
• A statement from the training director of each previous training program.  This statement must specify the clinical and didactic experiences for which you will be given credit and an evaluation of your performance and professional integrity.

International Medical Graduates

The University of Washington Psychiatry Residency Program accepts applications from international medical graduates.

In general, a strong IMG candidate application will include

1. 6-8 weeks of clinical experience comparable to a US or Canadian medical student rotation that is beyond a research, observer, or volunteer level, and
2. letters from medical supervisors from the US

Applicants to the Idaho Regional Track

The Idaho Advanced Clinician Track trains psychiatrists to practice in smaller communities, providing consultation to primary care providers.  This track accepts residents at both the PGY-1 and the PGY-2 level.  For application procedures, and a checklist of required application materials, please see the section for your desired starting level of training (PGY-1 or PGY-2). 

Residents in the Idaho Track spend their PGY-1 and PGY-2 years in Seattle, and their PGY-3 and PGY-4 years in Idaho.  Thus, applicants to the Idaho Track interview in both Boise and Seattle. 

Please note that the Idaho Track is a separate residency program with a separate Match number and a specific, individualized curriculum.

Applicants to the Alaska Regional Track

The Alaska Fourth Year Track trains general psychiatrists to work in Alaska, and emphasizes primary care consultation, telepsychiatry, and travel to remote communities.  This track accepts one PGY-1 and one PGY-2 resident per year.  For application procedures, and a checklist of required application materials, please see the section for your desired starting level of training (PGY-1 or PGY-2).

Residents in the Alaska Track spend their PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-3 years in Seattle, and their PGY-4 (elective) year in Alaska.  Applicants wishing to enter a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry program in the PGY-4 year should not apply to this track.

Please note that the Alaska Track is a separate residency program with a separate Match number and a specific, individualized curriculum.