Medical students apply to surgical residency programs much the same way they applied to medical school. They send away applications to programs before the fall of their fourth year in medical school, and then do interviews with residency programs throughout the year. However, unlike medical school, applying to surgical residencies is a two-way selection process. Instead of receiving a list of acceptances to choose from, a student is matched to a specific program, based on both the student's declared preferences and which programs wants the student.
The University of California at Los Angeles has a seven-year surgical residency program targeted at doctors with an interest in academic surgery. The seven years are spread across five years of clinical training and an additional two years of research experience. Students prepare for medical research with academic training that takes the form of a hiatus between the doctor's second and third year of clinical training in the operating room. This training is designed to prepare its surgeons to undertake research projects to advance both medicine and surgical care.
The University of Michigan offers surgical residencies in both general surgery and a number of surgical specializations. After doctors complete the general surgery residency, which lasts at least five years, they can apply for positions in the residency programs for vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery and hand surgery. The residencies for general surgery, integrated vascular surgery, and integrated plastic and reconstructive programs begin immediately after medical school. While doctors are in these residency programs, they will have opportunities to participate in two-year fellowship programs.
George Washington University's Medical Center offers a six-year categorical residency in general surgery. These consist of five years of clinical training, in addition to an additional year of research. Doctors in the residency complete rotations at a number of hospitals, including the university's medical center, Children's National Medical Center, Washington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Holy Cross Hospital. The program advertises that junior level residents regularly get to perform operations and can take charge of cases under the supervision of faculty and senior residents.