Timeline - Applying for Pediatric Residencies

The following timeline outlines a few more details about applying for pediatric residencies:

Third Year

As you go through your rotations, begin thinking about the faculty from which you would like to get letters of recommendation. Ask them if they will write you a strong letter of recommendation. If they say yes, make a note and come back to them later. If you decide not to use them for a reference, send them a note thanking them and letting them know your career plans.

January and February
Talk to your career counselors about 4th year electives.
This is usually the first time students interact with the departmental career counselors. We are expecting you! Discuss the options for 4th year, including which electives, whether you should do away electives or if you are still undecided (many people are!), how will you figure out what residency you want to explore.

There are many different perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of each of these opportunities, and it may be helpful to discuss your ideas with your career counselor, College faculty mentor, former medical students, or residents.

A lot of switching around occurs in the early part of 4th year, so don’t despair if you don’t get your first choices. The window for obtaining letters of recommendation usually extends to early October. Keep in contact with the medical student office to see what electives have opened up!

May-June
UW Medicine puts on a Residency Selection Forum and you will receive lots of helpful information about the application process. It is helpful if you can attend, but if not, be sure to access the information posted on the web. This is a time to hear more about pediatric residencies, why different people chose them and what the next step is. See the web links in the Overview section above to directly access this important material.

Fourth Year

July -August
Check the web sites/write away to programs to gather information.
Identify the people who will be writing letters for you and contact them.
Begin your personal statement.
Meet with your career counselor. Discuss your personal strategy to apply to residency programs. Some people meet early and often with their career counselors, some people only once or twice. Make sure you use us as a resource…we are there to help!!!
Talk with residents and visiting students about different programs.
Complete (or schedule an appointment in the Fall to complete) the USMLE part II.
Attend Sherilyn Smith's BBQ with fellow students and residents about various programs.

September
Finalize your personal statement.
Formally contact the people writing your letters (if you haven’t done this). Send them your personal statement, CV, the list of programs to which you are applying (for their own reference), and the official LOR coversheet included on the ERAS disk. Offer to come in and talk to them about your aspirations.
Some programs ask for a chairman’s letter. Dr. Stapleton likes to meet with everyone who goes into peds, but if you need a letter make the appointment early! Send him your personal statement and CV before your meeting.
Continue to talk with people and gather information.
Go to Dr. Stapleton's party to receive tips about interviewing and more information about how to choose a residency program. Ideally, submit your ERAS disk to A300.

October
Your ERAS application should be complete. The sooner you have it done, the sooner you will begin to hear from residency programs. Follow up to make sure that your letters have been sent (you can check the ERAS Web site). Write a polite letter thanking them for the letter.

October - January
Interview and have fun.
Take notes as you go, or all of the programs will seem the same. Form a running rank list and modify it as you go. Write follow-up thank you notes.

February
Talk with your career counselors, friends, other students, and residents about the various programs. This is an important time to talk with your career counselor…make sure that you are thinking correctly about each program, use them to reflect your decision making process. We can’t tell you which program to choose but we are here to help the decision making process easier.

March
Match day and you are on your way!

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