Application Information

We are glad you are interested in applying to our program and welcome your application!

The UW Boise Psychiatry Residency Program accepts residents at the PGY-1 level.

*Please note that the UW Boise Psychiatry Residency Program is a separate residency program from the UW Seattle Residency Program with a separate Match number and individualized curriculum.

Please email any questions about your application, as well as any application materials which will not be transmitted through ERAS to  BOIPsychResidency@va.gov.

Supplemental Application Materials

Application materials which will not be transmitted through ERAS can be mailed to:

UW Boise Psychiatry Residency Program

VA Hospital

500 W Fort St. Bldg. 116

Boise, ID 83702

For additional information, please contact us by phone at (208) 422-1165 or by email at BOIPsychResidency@va.gov.

Virtual Interviews & Office Hours

Interviews for the 2024-2025 season will be virtual.  Our chief residents are also holding virtual office hours to answer questions and discuss the culture of our program.

8/23/24 from 12-1pm
8/30/24 from 2-3pm
9/6/24 from 12-1pm
9/13/24 from 2-3pm
9/20/24 from 2-3pm
9/27/24 form 2-3pm

All PGY-1 positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We will be reviewing supplemental ERAS applications starting October 1, 2024. Applications received after this will be considered on a very limited, case-by-case basis. Applications will be screened from October 1 – October 31. Invitations to interview will be sent Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, and on a rolling basis after that. You have 72 hours to respond to the invitation

Interviews will be virtual.  The virtual interview day offers the applicant the opportunity to meet with the Program Director, Associate Program Director, several faculty members, and residents as well as virtually view Boise and our program’s clinical sites.

PGY-1 applicants may apply to any combination of University of Washington programs and tracks. These programs have different match numbers and curricula.  Decisions regarding interview invitations are made separately for each program.

The NRMP requires that residency programs provide applicants with the agreement that they would need to sign upon matching with the program.  Please click to view the University of Washington Residency and Fellowship Position Appointment (RFPA) Agreement 2022-2025

Idaho-based residents have the same contracts and benefits as their Seattle counterparts, falling under the purview of the same collective bargaining agreement.

Many of our rotations take place at the Boise VA Medical Center. As such, residents matched with our program will be administered the oath of office of part of the VA onboarding process.

Application Checklist for the PGY-1 Applicant

  1. ERAS Common Application Form (MyERAS Application)
  2. A one to two page narrative statement which includes your reasons for choosing psychiatry as a specialty.
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. A minimum of three letters of recommendation from faculty or professional staff at your medical school or hospitals where you have worked, including at least one letter from a psychiatrist.
  5. Official medical or osteopathic school transcript
  6. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE or Dean’s Letter)
  7. USMLE or COMLEX scores

International Medical Graduates

The University of Washington Boise Psychiatry Residency Program accepts applications from international medical graduates.

In general, a strong IMG candidate application will include

  1. A medical school educational and clinical experience comparable to a US or Canadian medical schools with rotations that are beyond a research, observer, or volunteer level in the core medical specialties.
  2. Letters from medical supervisors in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to Our Program

How do I apply to your program?
We currently only accept applications through ERAS.

What do you look for in applicants?
Our biggest focus will be on your personal statement and activities related to psychiatry. Please spend time reflecting on why you chose psychiatry and what interests you about Boise.  We also evaluate test scores and other objective measures of performance throughout medical school.  Having ties to Idaho or a significant interest in rural psychiatry will be viewed positively.  While board scores are a factor in our resident selection, they are not the most important part of your application.

Will interviews be in person or virtual during the 2023-2024 application cycle?
All interviews during the 2024-2025 application cycle will be completed via zoom.  Interviews will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the following dates: 11/18, 11/20 and 11/22; 12/2, 12/4, and 12/6/2024.

About Our Program

Will new residents still spend time in Seattle?
As of the 2021-2022 academic year the program has transitioned to a four year track that takes place entirely in Idaho.  In the future there may be opportunities to do elective rotations in Seattle and other sites.

What does intern year look like in terms of rotations?
The majority of intern year is spent working inpatient psychiatry, medicine and neurology.  Six months of the year are spent on psychiatry rotations (Correctional psychiatry, inpatient wards, and state hospital psychiatry).  Two months of the intern year are spent on neurology (consults, inpatient and procedures), usually Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM.  Four months of intern year are spent on medicine wards; there is no overnight call while on medicine wards.

What sites do residents rotate at for psychiatry, medicine and neurology?
Residents will primarily rotate at the VA, St. Lukes Medical Center, St. Alphonsus, State Hospital South, Full Circle Health and the Idaho State Correctional Institution for the majority of their psychiatry rotations. Psychiatry outpatient clinics are available to senior residents at Full Circle Health, St. Lukes, and Boise State University. Neurology rotations (mix of inpatient, consults and procedures) currently happen at the VA.  Medicine rotations (all inpatient) happen at the VA and St. Lukes Medical Center.

What electives does your program offer?
We offer electives in forensic, geriatric, addiction, child and adolescent, TMS/ECT and consult liaison psychiatry.  Additionally we have electives in research, sleep medicine, women’s mental health, psychotherapy and student mental health.  Residents are also allowed to create their own electives with approved faculty.

Does your program have call?
Yes.

PGY1: No Nightfloat, no Friday nights, every Saturday for 3 months while on VA Psych IP rotation, and no 24-hour shifts

PGY2: Six Weeks Nightfloat, four Friday nights, no Saturday day shifts, and four 24-hour shifts

PGY3: Four weeks Nightfloat, five Friday nights, no Saturday day shifts, and five 24-hour shifts

PGY4: Three weeks Nightfloat, four Friday nights, no Saturday day shifts, four 24-hour shifts

Does your program offer research opportunities and research electives?
Yes. Research electives can be completed for approved research projects during PGY-3 and PGY-4 years. Previous research projects have included investigation into Ketamine and TMS.

Does your program offer leadership activities?
Yes.  In addition to having the opportunity to become a chief, residents have the option of joining a Program Improvement Committee or the Wellness Committee.  Residents can also join the Ada County medical society and serve on various quality improvement committees if they desire.

Do residents from your program go on to fellowship?
Yes.  Within the last ten years residents have gone on to fellowships in consultation-liaison, addiction, child and adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry.  Some of the institutions that residents have been accepted to fellowship include Harvard, University of Washington, and the University of Utah.

Will I have to do more call in a shorter period of time if I decide to fast-track into child-adolescent psychiatry?
No.  You would complete the same amount of call as other residents within your resident class.

Program Benefits

What is the current salary for a first year resident? What about insurance and retirement benefits?
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, first year residents receive a yearly salary of $76,032.  Additionally all residents receive a $6000 housing stipend  per year. Residents will also receive a one-time $250 stipend for purchase of electronic equipment and a yearly $500 stipend for educational expenses.

All residents receive medical insurance, dental insurance and basic life insurance. Optional 403-B retirement plans are also available through the University of Washington and offer a generous match.  Residents also receive free access to the YMCA gym (full weight equipment, indoor track, pool, yoga classes etc) in addition to Boise VA gym.

How much vacation does your program currently offer?
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, residents receive 28 days of paid vacation per year.  Of these 28 days, 20 days are considered weekdays (Monday-Friday) and eight days are considered weekend days (Saturday and Sunday).  Additionally, residents receive three personal days to use during each calendar year; one of the personal days is paid, while two are unpaid.  Unused vacation days and personal days do not roll over year to year.

How much sick leave is offered to residents?
Residents are given 17 days of paid sick leave per year (5 weekend days and 12 business days).  Unused sick leave time may roll over year to year.

How much academic leave time is granted each year for conferences, symposiums, or other educational events?
Residents may be granted up to ten days of educational leave times for approved events.

Does your program offer moonlighting?
Yes.  Currently residents who have successfully completed intern year, passed Step 3, obtained a full Idaho Medical License and DEA License, and received approval from the Graduate Medical Office and program leadership are eligible to moonlight.  As of the 2024-2025 academic year there is a limited number of sites that will potentially offer moonlighting; residents are working to establish new sites in the coming years.