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OGME 1 Admissions Policy

The Midwestern University/OPTI utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges. This service provides a standard application form for all participating OGME 1 candidates, which currently includes all of the MWU/OPTI OGME 1 programs. Beginning in July of each year, ERAS application packets are sent out on request for residencies starting in July of the following year since almost all residencies begin on or about July 1 of each year.

To access the ERAS application software, a token must be requested from the ECFMG which will be provided for a fee. A single application can then be completed which is submitted via the Internet to the ERAS PostOffice. Supporting documents must be sent to ECFMG to be scanned and transmitted to the ERAS PostOffice. ERAS transmits residency applications, letters of recommendation, Dean's Letters/MSPE, medical school transcripts, USMLE and COMLEX transcripts and other supporting credentials from the trainee's designated dean's office to residency program directors using the Internet. The application and supporting documents are automatically downloaded to all programs that the applicant has indicated. Residency programs participating in ERAS do so exclusively, and no other route of application to those programs exists.

The ERAS website is located at http://www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm. The website has information regarding:

• Policies
• Participating Specialties and Programs
• Timeline and Deadlines
• Application Process Guideline
• Using MyERAS
• Resources to Download
• Fees and Billing
• Contact Information

OGME 1 Selection Policy

1. Candidates applying for an AOA-approved residency must apply through the Osteopathic Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS) and negotiate directly with those institutions approved by the AOA as residency training programs.
2. Prospective residents must submit to ERAS an Application for Residency that includes board scores, official transcripts (sent directly from the COM), and letters of recommendation. Candidates submit all application materials by November 1st.
3. After all materials have been received by the program-sponsoring institution, applications are evaluated and, when appropriate, interviews are granted. Interviews are granted based on the choice of programs by applicants and the availability of positions. Resident applicants are interviewed individually at each MWU/OPTI residency training institution by a Hospital Resident Selection Committee.
4. To qualify for Midwestern University/OPTI residency training programs, resident applicants must have graduated from an AOA-approved COM and also must have passed COMLEX Level 1 and Level II CE and PE.
5. The MWU/OPTI accepts residents for training regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap. The MWU/OPTI selects residents for training in accordance with state and Federal government guidelines and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

OGME 2 Through OGME 7 Admissions Policy

To apply to a Midwestern University/OPTI residency program, application forms can be found at The Electronic Residency Application Service.

Once the application form is completed in full, it is submitted to the appropriate residency program along with appropriate appendices, which may include three letters of recommendation, an official medical school transcript, and national Board scores.

OGME 2 Through OGME 7 Selection Policy

1. After all materials have been received by the program-sponsoring institution, applications are evaluated and, when appropriate, interviews are granted. Interviews are granted based on the choice of programs by applicants and the availability of positions. Resident applicants are interviewed individually at each MWU/OPTI residency training institution by a Hospital Resident Selection Committee.
2. To qualify for Midwestern University/OPTI residency training programs, resident applicants must have graduated from an AOA-approved COM and also must have passed COMLEX Level 1 and Level II CE and PE.
3. The MWU/OPTI accepts residents for training regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap. The MWU/OPTI selects residents for training in accordance with state and Federal government guidelines and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TRANSFER POLICY

Transfer credits and waivers for residents are the responsibility of the Directors of Medical Education (DMEs) who submit written reports to the AOA Division of Postdoctoral Training.

Following the procedure outlined by the AOA, residents may petition the Education Evaluating Committee of their specialty college for credit transfers from previous training in approved osteopathic or Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education training sites.

Resident Transfers into MWU/OPTI
Residents requesting transfers into the MWU/OPTI must complete a standardized application and meet the minimum criteria of selection for residents (as stipulated above).

• Program Directors of the MWU/OPTI training institutions must approve requests for credit transfers from rotations completed previously at other AOA-approved residency training programs. Formal applications for advanced standing must be submitted as specified by the appropriate specialty college guidelines.
• Program Directors forward copies of all documentation related to successfully transferred credits to the AOA and the specialty college and file copies of this documentation in both training institution resident records and at the MWU/OPTI.

Resident Transfers from MWU/OPTI
Residents requesting transfers to other AOA-approved programs must first obtain approval from their residency Program Directors or DMEs. Subsequent to approval:

• The MWU/OPTI must receive documented verification that residents and their DMEs have executed the "Written Release by Mutual Consent" form, which releases residents from their current contracts.
• Program Directors provide written confirmation to the new program director of all rotations successfully completed by transferring residents.
• Program Directors forward copies of the documentation of successfully completed rotations to the transferring residents' new programs. Program Directors file copies of this documentation in both training institution resident records and at the MWU/OPTI.

Resident Withdrawal from the MWU/OPTI by Mutual Consent
Residents may withdraw from the MWU/OPTI by mutual consent, but not transfer immediately into other AOA-approved programs. In these cases:

• Program Directors from the MWU/OPTI member institutions must provide written documentation of the credit, if any, earned by the withdrawing residents for successfully completed rotations toward satisfying AOA resident education requirements.
• Program Directors file copies of this documentation in both training institution resident records and at the MWU/OPTI.