The Section on Gastroenterology is included in listings of accredited gastroenterology training programs and participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which transmits residency applications, letters of recommendation, Dean’s letters, transcripts, USMLE scores, and other supporting credentials from the applicants and medical schools via the Internet.  Applications are downloaded from the ERAS Workstation to compile a folder containing applicant information.  Fellow applicants are eligible if they are graduates of a US/Canada medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or a graduate from a foreign medical school and have a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).  Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or have recently completed, a 3-year residency program in Internal Medicine.  Proof of this training and successful completion of the ACGME competencies must be submitted prior to fellowship start date. If transferring from another program, written/electronic verification of prior education from the current program director must be submitted, to include evaluations, completed rotations, procedural/operative experience, and a summative competency-based performance evaluation. 

In general, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology, receives approximately 300 applications per year.  Special attention is paid in the recommendation letter relating to preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity.  Fellow selection is made without regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally protected status.  Supplemental letters of recommendation are also considered.  Letters provided by nationally recognized gastroenterology faculty and research mentors are particularly important.  Honors or awards granted during medical school or residency are considered.  Current or previously completed bench or clinical projects are considered, as are published abstracts or full manuscripts. 

A select number of candidates are invited to Wake Forest for a personal interview.  On the interview day, each candidate will meet with the Program Director and Section Head, as well as multiple other faculty in the Section on Gastroenterology.   

Faculty complete written evaluations and rank each applicant.   These evaluations become part of the applicant’s folder.  Scores are averaged and a rank order list is submitted to the Program Director and Section Head to be used in the fellow selection meeting. Final rankings are discussed and agreed upon by the faculty. The list is certified and submitted to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) via the Internet.