American University of Beirut

Non-AUB MD Graduates Admission Requirements to Residency Programs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​I. Eligibility Requirements:

​Non-AUB MD graduates can apply to GME residency programs at AUBMC if they are:

  • Graduates from a medical school registered in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED)​
  • Have passed the USMLE Step 1 or its equivalent the International Foundations of Medicine Basic Science Examination (IFOM BSE)
  • Have satisfactory completed the USMLE Step 2 CK or its equivalent the IFOM Clinical Science Examination (IFOM CSE)
  • Have satisfactory completed an English Proficiency Language Examination​


II. Examination Requirements & Dates:

​The below 3 qualifying examinations are required from applicants applying to the GME residency programs at AUB:

​1. English Proficiency Examination: Applicants must show a level of proficiency in the English language by obtaining the minimum scores in any of the below exams:


Minimum Score in English Language Proficiency Requirements (ELPR)

AUB English Entrance Exam (AUB-EN)40 (1 year validity period, that is repeated for each academic year application)​
TOEFL (Internet Based)88 (2 years validity period)
OET (Academic)
Attain a passing score 350 in each of the four sub-tests.​
IELTS – Academic Prometric Test Center7.0 (2 years validity period)
Applicants exempted from sitting for English Proficiency Exam​
  • AUB graduates
  • AUB residents 
  • Graduates who completed both their Bachelor's & MD degrees at the University of Balamand
  • Graduates who completed both their Bachelor's & MD degrees at the Lebanese American University
  • Graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand

* Notes:

  • Exceptionally, applicants can sit for the AUB English Entrance Exam. The AUB-EN will be administered through the ​Office of ​Institutional Research & Assessment at https://www.aub.edu.lb/oira/Pages/Testing.aspx​.  
  • Applicants can register for the above English Exams at the concerned centers and not through the GME Office.



​​​​​​NBME IFOM Exams: 

Applicants who want to register for the NBME IFOM exams cannot do so before submitting and paying the online application fees. After submitting and paying the application fees, you will receive an email with the NBME IFOM exam registration link. Registration for the exams is open within the application period from November 4 to November 25. Failure to register during this time will result in non-registration for the exam(s).

Applicants will receive detailed information about the examination venue and rules via email at least 3 days before the exam.​



2. Basic Science Examination: Applicants must show a level of proficiency in the Basic Science Examination by obtaining the minimum scores in any of the below exams:

Exam Minimum Required Score in Basic Science Examination Exam Registration
USMLE Step 1
  • New scoring report as of 2022:​ Pass/Fail
  • Old standard: 192
At Prometric Center

IFOM BSE

  • Passing scoring : Pass/Fail or percent Correct Equivalent is 60 

At Prometric Center

or

While filling the online applicatin. Further details will be mentioned in the online application.



​3. Clinical Science Examination: Applicants must show a level of proficiency in the Clinical Science Examination by obtaining the minimum scores in any of the below exams:

ExamMinimum Score in Clinical Science ExaminationExam Registration

USMLE Step 2 CK

  • Current passing ​score: 214
  • ​Old standard: 209

At Prometric Center

IFOM CSE

  • Equated Percent Correct Equivalent: 70​

or

  • ​Old standard: 590

At Prometric Center

or

While filling the online applicatin. Further details will be mentioned in the online application.

* Notes:
  • ​The scores of the USMLE Step 2 CK and/or the IFOM CSE scores will be reported the programs.
  • ​Applicants ​​may sit for the IFOM CSE more than once a year as long as the exams are separated by a 3-month period.
  • Applicants with a competitive score on the IFOM CSE or USMLE Step 2 CK may be invited for an interview in one or two of the programs.

  • Pay the non-refundable IFOM CSE fee 120 USD paid in dollars at AUBMC Cashier's Office after filling, submitting the online application and getting the examination charge codes' paper. Further details on the registration process will be mention in the online application.
  • ​​Applicants will get detailed information on the examination venue and rules by e-mail at least 3 days before the exam.
    ​ 
    Examination Dates:

    Deadline for registration for the IFOM BSE & CSE at GME Office
    Date of IFOM BSE Exam for AUB & Non-AUB MD Graduates
    Date of IFOM CSE Exam for AUB & Non-AUB MD Graduates
    November 25, 2024
    December 13, 2024
    December 20, 2024

    ​​​
    ​ ​​III. Online Application:

    1. On Application & Required Documents:

    Applicants wishing to apply to GME Residency Programs need to:​

    1. Access Application for Graduate Medical Education during the month of November from November 4 till November 25, 2025 and upload the following documents:.
      • Photocopy of ID 
      • Photocopy of passport
      • Photocopy of Social Security Number if the applicant is a US-Citizen/Green-Card Holder
      • Passport size photo
      • Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
      • Certified copy of the Medical Degree (MD) impressed with original University seal(s) or if not applicable a Dean's letter from the Medical School from which the applicant is enrolled
      • Certified copy of the medical school transcript of record
      • Certified copy of license to practice Medicine from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (if applicable and required only from Lebanese citizens)
      • A minimum of three letters of reference provided by faculty members who had an academic contact with the applicant (Please click here to see requirements for letter of reference)
      • Official score report of the English Language Proficiency examination
      • Official ECFMG score report of the USMLE Step 1 and/or USMLE Step 2 CK​ (if done already)
      • Score report(s) of IFOM BSE and/or IFOM CSE (if done already​)
      • Transferring residents need to upload the below to the "Other documents if any":
        • A release letter from the Program Director if the resident is enrolled in a categorical track program​
        • A letter of verification of previous residency educational experiences from the Program Director stating the resident's current standing, list of completed rotations, summative competency-based performance evaluation, and procedural/operative experience. Please click here ​for more details on the required verification letter.​
    2. Application fees ($ 75) to be paid by credit card at the end of the online application
    3. Any document not printed in English must be accompanied by an acceptable original English translation performed by a qualified translator. Each translation must be accompanied by an affidavit of accuracy acceptable to the AUBMC.
    4. Any required document not uploaded on the online application within the application period can be e-mailed the GME Office staff no later than January 20, 2025.
    5. Applicants applying with USMLE step 1 and/or Step 2 CK scores are required to request from ECFMG​ website the Official USMLE transcript to be sent to the GME Office address​ by filling out Form 172. The Official Transcript should be sent to the GME Office by January 20, 2025.
    6. Applicants are kindly asked to keep the original documents until asked by GME Office staff by e-mail to send them in person or by a delegate or by courier to the GME Office. Applicants are expected to abide by the deadline mentioned in the e-mail.
    7. ​Eligible applicants to the some of the residency programs such as Emergency Medicine, Neurology, and Psychiatry will be asked for a personal statement describing their interest in the specialty and career plans. Such statements should be forwarded to the concerned programs upon request and not through the GME Office. Kindly do not upload the personal statements with the required documents on the Online Application; instead make sure to e-mail it to them once called for an interview.

    ​​2. On Application Choices:

      • Each applicant is entitled to two choices only. When filling out the online application, you will be applying for one choice. To add another choice, you need to start a new application. Most of the information will be repeated in the second application; however, you will need to specify your additional choice. The first application submitted and paid for will be considered your first choice, while the second application will be your second choice. The payment will be a one-time fee of $75, and no additional fees will be required when submitting your second application.
      • The ranking (first choice and second choice) will be used in the matching process, with priority given to the first choice. If an applicant is accepted to both choices, they will be automatically accepted to their first choice and removed from the second-choice acceptance list. Programs will be blinded to the applicants' choices.
      • The online application will not allow you to start a new application more than twice. If applicants attempt to create or start a new application three times, the GME office will disregard any attempts beyond the first two.
      • The GME office will not accept any changes in the application choices made after the submission of the online application.

    3. On Application Process:

    1. After submitting the online application and required papers, the GME Office will be reviewing the applicants' submitted information.
    2. ​​Applicants who didn't meet the GME eligibility requirements or have an incomplete application will be receiving an e-mail on the non-acceptance of their application. Application fees are non-refundable.​
    3. Applications of eligible applicants will be forwarded to the concerned program(s).
    4. Applicants may be invited for an interview in one or two programs. However, not all eligible applicants will be called for an interview.
    5. Several programs require additional clinical examination supervised by a faculty member (like OSCEs).
    6. Each program will announce the selection results to the applicants after the GME Committee approval.
    7. Accepted applicants who accept the offered position and sign the letter of intent but later decide not to join the GME Programs will not be eligible to apply to any GME Program at AUB in the future.
    8. All newly accepted international students to the residency program, must submit the equivalence of the Lebanese BaccII and authenticate their Medicine degree in the Ministry of Education and Higher Education before enrolling. This is important to ensure a smooth procedure when notarizing the residency diplomas at a later stage.  Clich HERE for information on General Education certificates equivalence (equivalence of the Lebanese BaccII ) and HERE for University certificates equivalences​ (MD).


    IV. Deadlines:

    Application deadlines ​and important dates for Academic Year 2025-2026 are:
    Application Opens Application Deadline Latest Deadline to submit USMLE or English Proficiency Exam scores or any other pending application document
    Decision Notification Date
    November 04, 2024
    November 25, 2024
    January 20, 2025
    Around end of April 2025

    V. Important Dates:


    Interview Period GME Orientation Week for New Residents (MANDATORY) Academic Year Starts
    During the months of February & March 2025
    June 09to June 13, 2025
    June 16, 2025

    For further inquiries and clarifications, please check our FAQs​ and do not hesitate to contact us at the Office of Graduate Medical Education.​


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