NRMP Numbers

Requirements, Eligibility, and Selection

Our approach to selecting applicants:

• We take a holistic approach to review applications. We take into account the following characteristics:
  • Diverse life experiences
  • Medical school performance (with a focus on clerkships and in particular the medicine clerkship and medicine sub-internship)
  • Community involvement and engagement
  • Scholarly work
  • Demonstration of leadership qualities.

• We do not have a set USMLE or COMLEX cut-off score; however, most of our applicants score above 235 on USMLE Step 2. We expect that individuals have passed the exams in their first attempt and performed competitively. We do accept COMLEX scores in lieu of USMLE. The minimum required COMLEX score is 600.
  • USMLE Step 2 scores are not required at the time of application but must be completed before starting residency.

• We strongly recommend having one month of clinical experience in a U.S. healthcare system. Tele-rotations do count as clinical experience; however, we do not count observerships or research as clinical experience. 

Requirements:

• We will accept only applications submitted to us electronically through ERAS. If you are an international medical graduate, you must apply to our program through an ECFMG office.
  • We are utilizing program signals for the 2026-27 application cycle
  • We will not accept any applications sent to us in ERAS after 5pm on Thursday, October 1st, 2026.

• We require a chairman's letter and three letters of recommendation, which is a total of 4 letters.
  • Chairman's letter is optional for preliminary applicants.
  • For those applying after serving in the armed forces after medical school graduation, we require a chairman's letter from your time at medical school and strongly suggest one of your letters of recommendation be from your current commanding officer.

• Residents in our program must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or possess the appropriate documentation to allow a resident to legally train at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

• Residents in our program must be vaccinated against all standard vaccine series required to work in a medical environment.

• International Medical Graduates:
  • Must be ECFMG certified at the time of your application or far enough along in the application process that you will receive certification no later than February 1 of the year in which you plan to match.
  • Must complete their Step 3 exams by December 31st, 2026.

Entry Requirements:

The Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado does not discriminate with regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or Veteran status. 

• Certification by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the National Board of Osteopathic Medicine (NBOME), or the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is required. 

• International medical graduates must hold a valid ECFMG certificate, have a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. licensing jurisdiction, or have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.

The University of Colorado School of Medicine recognizes that housestaff enrolled in its program are trainees, not employees. As such, applicants also must be able to meet the conditions of the school’s Houseofficer Training Agreement. Specifically, they must: 

• Be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid U.S. resident alien card

• Possess (or be eligible to obtain) all three of the following:
  • Valid passport
  • Valid 1-94 card (obtained upon entry to the U.S.) that indicates D/S J-1 (Duration of Status for J-1 visa);
  • J-1 visa or H1B visa sponsorship from the ECFMG to train at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Department of Medicine.

• Eligible for a physician training license as granted by the Colorado Medical Board.

• In accordance with the CU GME USMLE, COMLEX, and LMCC Examination Policy, applicants must have successfully completed the USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS) examinations, or the COMLEX Level 1 and COMLEX Level 2 examinations, as evidenced by obtaining a passing grade for the examinations prior to starting a residency.

Selection Criteria: 

• We look for ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity, and the ability to function within parameters expected of a practitioner in the specialty.

• We aim to recruit and retain residents from diverse backgrounds and identities so that our program reflects the community we serve.

• To determine the appropriate level of education for individuals wishing to transfer from another training program, the program director must receive written verification of previous educational experiences and a statement regarding the performance evaluation of the transferring resident prior to acceptance into the program. 

• We will review and select applicants in a manner consistent with provisions of equal opportunity employment and will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally protected status.

• We participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).