Fellowship Programs in the Clinical Disciplines

General Principles and Policy

The admission and selection process for the fellowship Program at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) aims to identify candidates who demonstrate the potential to excel in neurology training. This process is aligned with the program's mission to develop skilled, competent, and compassionate neurologists capable of meeting the needs of patients and the healthcare system.

The selection policy is guided by principles of transparency and fairness, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated equitably based on clear and consistent criteria. Access to postgraduate training organized by the residency match at IAU is conducted through a defined and transparent process, open to eligible graduates of Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia (MOE) accredited medical schools and international medical schools.

Terms and Definitions

• Candidate: An applicant who has met the necessary prerequisites for program training and seeks admission.
• Selection Criteria: A set of attributes, skills, and qualifications used to evaluate and rank candidates for admission.
• Selection Committee: A group of faculty members and program representatives responsible for assessing candidates and making admission decisions.
• Interview Scoring System: A structured method for evaluating candidates during interviews, using a standardized scoring template.
• Best Practices in Application and Selection (BPAS): A framework that ensures the selection process adheres to the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and effectiveness.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the IAU CBD program, candidates must meet the following criteria

1. Accredited Medical School
   Candidates must have graduated from a medical school accredited by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia (MOE) or from an international medical school recognized by the relevant medical education authority.
2. Licensing Examination
   Candidates must have passed the Saudi Licensing Examination (SLE) or an equivalent medical licensing examination recognized by the relevant authorities. With in the past two years of application.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   Candidates must submit a detailed CV outlining their educational background, clinical experience, research activities, leadership roles, and any other relevant achievements.
4. Recommendation Letters or References
   Candidates must provide at least three recommendation letters or references from supervisors, mentors, or faculty members. These letters must be written within one year of the application date and should attest to the candidate's clinical skills, professionalism, and suitability for the neurology program
5. Personal Letter (Personal Statement)
   Candidates must provide a personal letter to addresses his/her motivation for choosing the specialty, their career goals, and their reasons for applying to the specific residency program. It may also highlight personal experiences that have shaped their interest in the field and how they can contribute to the program.The personal letter gives the selection committee insight into the candidate's personality, values, and aspirations. It allows candidates to articulate their journey into the specialty and demonstrate their commitment and fit for the program.
6. Application Deadline
   All processes must be defined by January 1 of the calendar year to ensure proper implementation can occur, as per the IAU website .
7. ACLS , ATLS and BLS courses for surgical specialities ( General surgery, Orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, Otolarnygioloy and Obstertric and gynicology). 

Notification/Invitation

The program will notify all applicants through IAU website and send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview. 

Details Regarding the Interview Process

Interviews are preferred to be conducted in person (face-to-face) to allow for a more comprehensive assessment of candidates. However, for those who are unable to attend in person due to geographical or logistical constraints, a virtual interview option will be made available.

All selected applicants will participate in 10-20 minute structured interviews, each consisting of one resident and three faculty interviewers. Time for potential technical troubleshooting is built into the schedule, and telephone interviews will only be considered as a backup if technical issues cannot be promptly resolved within the additional time.

A structured rating scale with pre-defined behavioural anchors will be used by each interviewer to independently score each candidate’s performance. The total score of each candidate across all interviews and interviewers will be used to generate a rank order list, which may then be adjusted by consensus to address issues of program priority and diversity.

Candidates will also be invited to an informal, welcoming virtual reception to meet current residents and learn more about the program and its culture.

Admission Assessment

As part of the admission process, candidates will undergo an assessment of basic skills  of the selected program at the level expected of a general physician. This assessment will evaluate core clinical competencies and foundational neurological knowledge. To proceed in the selection process, candidates must achieve a passing score of 60% on this assessment. This is considered a supportive criterion that complements the overall evaluation of the candidate.

Some program will depend on the SMLE result  that will constitute 60% of the over all mark.

File Review Process

• Review Team Composition: The Resident Selection Committee comprises faculty members from the program committee.

Evaluation Criteria

*Extracurricular Activities: These are activities outside the candidate's formal academic and clinical responsibilities, such as community service, sports, artistic pursuits, volunteering, student organizations, or other personal interests.

**Leadership skills: refer to the candidate's ability to guide, influence, and inspire others within a team or organization. This can include roles like being a team leader in a clinical setting, organizing events, leading research projects, or holding positions in student organizations.

***Reference letters are written by mentors or supervisors who have observed the candidate's clinical work and professionalism. They provide an external, objective assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, reliability, and interpersonal abilities, using specific examples.

****Personal letters (or personal statements), written by the candidates themselves, describe their motivation for choosing the specialty, career goals, and reasons for applying to a specific residency program.

Elective Requirements

Interview Evaluation Criteria

sample questions for evaluating candidates

Optional Clarifications

• Further Information: Interviewers may seek clarification on any information included in the candidate's application.

External Information Consideration

• Interactions: Consideration of social interaction during program events, communication with administration, and social media presence.

Ranking Process: 

The ranking process for the program involves a detailed evaluation of candidates based on their CV, academic performance, reference letters, personal statement, extracurricular activities, and leadership experience. Candidates are scored using standardized rating scales, and the Resident Selection Committee, which includes faculty and resident representatives, reviews these scores. The committee assesses each candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and fit with the program’s goals, such as diversity and alignment with the program’s culture. An initial rank order list is created based on these evaluations and adjusted through committee consensus if necessary. The process is conducted with transparency and fairness, adhering to conflict-of-interest guidelines and ensuring all steps are documented. The final rank order list is submitted to the matching service, aligning with deadlines and guidelines. This rigorous process ensures the selection of candidates who are both academically qualified and well-suited to the program’s values and objectives.

• Unprofessional Behaviour: Candidates exhibiting unprofessional or inappropriate behaviour may not be ranked.
• Interview Attendance: Candidates who do not attend the interview or whose performance is not competitive may not be ranked.

The ranking is based on comprehensive assessment, ensuring that it reflects the program’s goals and priorities, including program diversity and alignment with the mission.