Asheville Family Medicine Residency

Signaling

Based on guidance from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Council on Academic Family Medicine (CAFM), MAHEC Family Medicine Residency suggests that applicants signal their most interested programs regardless of whether they are home or away rotations. This is the most fair process for all applicant types (MD, DO, and IMGs) and provides all programs that participate in receiving signals with the same information about interest level. This signaling information will be used in the process of choosing applicants to interview but not for rank list ordering.

Application Requirements

We invite you to apply to our program via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

A complete ERAS application is required, which includes:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty who have directly supervised clinical performance (at least one letter should be from a family physician)
• Medical school transcript(s)
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
• USMLE, COMLEX, or Canadian licensing exam scores
• Step 1 required
• Step 2 preferred at time of application (Step 2 is required no later than January 15 and applicants without Step 2 scores will not be ranked)

Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials at the time of application, as delays may impact application review and interview consideration.

Interview Season & Invitation Timeline

Guided by recommendations from the AAFP, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD), and AAMC, our program begins reviewing applications when they are released through ERAS. Interviews are typically conducted October through January.

• There is no universal interview release date in Family Medicine, and invitations are sent on a rolling basis.
• Applicants will be given at least two business days to accept or decline an interview invitation before the spot may be released to another applicant.

Interview Cancellation Expectations

Applicants who need to withdraw from a scheduled interview are expected to provide at least two weeks’ notice whenever possible. Timely cancellations allow us to offer interview opportunities to other applicants and support a fair and efficient process.

Interview Format

All interviews at the MAHEC Asheville Family Medicine Residency Program are conducted exclusively in a virtual format. This approach promotes accessibility for all applicants regardless of geographic, financial, or travel constraints.

First/Second Look Opportunities

We offer optional opportunities for applicants to learn more about our program. First and second look visits are entirely optional. These experiences are designed to help applicants better understand our program and community. Our scheduled first and second look opportunities will be announced on social media, our website, and via Thalamus.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs will select from among eligible applicants on the basis of residency program-related criteria such as their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity.

Minimum Requirements

An applicant must meet or exceed the following minimum qualification(s) to be eligible for selection and appointment to MAHEC’s GME residency programs:

• Be a graduate of a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or
• Be a graduate of a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or
• Be a graduate of a non-LCME- or AOA-approved medical school who also meets one of the following additional qualifications:
• holds a currently-valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment; or
• holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a United States licensing jurisdiction in his or her current ACGME specialty/subspecialty program; or
• has graduated from a medical school outside the United States and has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by a LCME-accredited medical school.
• Passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 or COMLEX 1 and 2 within three attempts, as required by the North Carolina Medical Board.
• Be eligible for a NC resident training license.
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. (citizen, permanent resident, eligible visa including J1). MAHEC does not sponsor H1B or other visas.

VISA Sponsorship

MAHEC does not directly sponsor residents or fellows that need a J-1 Sponsorship VISA. Non-U.S. citizen applicants needing visa sponsorship must secure this directory from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The ECFMG is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for the purpose of participating in U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a BridgeUSA sponsor for J-1 exchange visitor physicians enrolled in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training, or advanced research programs (involving primarily observation, consultation, teaching, or research). Although many universities and research institutions in the United States are authorized to sponsor exchange visitors as research scholars, ECFMG is the sole sponsor of J-1 physicians in clinical training programs.

Questions regarding VISA Sponsorship should be directed to the GME office at 828-232-2946 or gme@mahec.net.