Dates and Deadlines

2021 Interview dates: Jan. 21, 22, & 23

Application deadline: Oct. 21, 2020

Submit application via ERAS.

Contact for information:

Candace Wright, MA, C-TAGME
Residency Program Manager
1215 21st Avenue South
Suite 7209
Nashville, TN 37232
(615) 343-6972 (office)
(615) 875-5559 (fax)
candace.wright@vumc.org

Getting to Vanderbilt

• Airlines servicing Nashville
• Ground transportation

Maps

• Driving Directions
• Vanderbilt Mobile App (building locator)
• Visitor Parking Map

Nearby hotels

There are several hotels within the immediate vicinity of Vanderbilt. However, we do not recommend or endorse any specific lodging options. We recommend that you ask for any room specials for the interview weekends or if there are any Vanderbilt special rates available when you book.

Initial Review and Selection Process

The Vanderbilt Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program receives well over 400 applications annually. Each application received by the deadline is reviewed thoroughly and, while there is no USMLE board score requirement, the score is used to narrow down the number of applications, given initial volume. We are aware that a CV with USMLE scores, grades, awards, and publications and letters of recommendation cannot do the applicant justice as a surrogate for the characteristics that will make you an outstanding surgeon and human, someone whom we would be fortunate to attract to our family. The initial review produces 150-200 applications for the review committee, which arrives at a list of 46 applicants who receive a telephone call in mid-November inviting them to participate in a live interview. Selected applicants have a choice of two different interview dates on the same weekend and application status letters are mailed to all applicants.

Wait Lists 

Once initial invitations are issued, an alternate/wait list is created. Those applicants will be notified at the time application status letters are distributed. We do not divulge anyone's particular spot on the wait list. If an applicant accepts an invitation and subsequently cancels, an invitation will then be issued to an applicant on the wait list. Past experience has shown that there is minimal to no movement on the wait list until early January - if at all.

Interview Process Outline

COVID-19 update: there will be no in-person interviews. The web-site will be updated when a new process for 2021 is developed. 

We interview 23 applicants on each scheduled interview day. The evening prior to the interview day, a reception is held at a local venue close to Vanderbilt where applicants can meet and mingle with current faculty and residents. The evening culminates with a shuttle tour of downtown Nashville and the surrounding Vanderbilt area, followed by a brief get-together with our residents at a local venue.

Interview Day Schedule:

• Interview Social - The evening before the interview, a social session with residents and attendings plus a night tour of Nashville is offered. Applicants are highly encouraged to attend and enjoy the experience.
   
• 7:00 a.m.: The interview day begins with breakfast and a brief overview of the program provided by the Review Committee Chair, the Program Director and the Chairman
• 8:30 a.m.: Half of the group will discuss the program with current residents and tour the medical center campus while the other half will participate in interviews. All of our faculty members participate in applicant interviews meaning that each applicant interviews with 2-3 faculty members simultaneously. It is important to us that every member of the Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Faculty get to know you.
• 12:00 p.m.: Applicants, faculty, and residents have lunch together. Following lunch, the groups switch and afternoon interviews commence.
• 5:00 p.m.: The day concludes.