Pediatric Residency Program – How to Apply
2026–27 Application Season Update
Our interview days will be conducted virtually.
The CU pediatric residency program works diligently to review each application thoroughly and in a holistic manner. This requires quite a bit of time for our reviewers to complete the task. The majority of invitations to interview with us will not be sent until after mid-October, with most being sent out by the end of October. Thank you very much for your patience.
We are excited to share information about our residency with you and get to know you! Please reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or ideas at [email protected].We look forward to meeting you!
Application Process
Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service, and we participate in the National Residency Match Program. The NRMP program code for the Categorical Pediatrics program is 1076320C0.
When applying to the University of Colorado Pediatric Residency Program, please consider the following requirements:
- We are a competitive program and receive over 1,100 applications each year.
- We only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS).
- Please do not mail, email or fax any applications
Your ERAS application must include the following minimum requirements:
- CV
- Dean's Letter or MSPE
- Medical School Transcript
- Personal Statement
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation. A maximum of four are acceptable. We do not require a letter from your Chair of Pediatrics.
- USMLE Step I or COMLEX Scores
- Successful scores on USMLE Step II or COMLEX 2 are not required for the initial application or extension of an invitation to interview, but are required by January 15, 2027. If you are not uploading your Step II or COMLEX 2 scores during the initial application, you must upload them prior to January 15, 2027 for your application to be considered for our rank list.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 is our application deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered if received after this date. If you experience extenuating circumstances that prevent you from submitting your application by October 5th, please reach out to [email protected].
Our holistic review of each application takes time. Therefore, most of our interview invitations will not be sent out until after October 15, and we may continue to send interview invitations throughout the month of October.
Interview Day
Interviews will be held virtually on Monday and Tuesdays morning, and Thursday afternoons, end of October through December. We will limit the number of candidates per day to provide a more personal experience.
We are planning some virtual social events throughout the interview season so that applicants will have the opportunity to meet with residents on a more casual level. Details will be sent to you once your interview date is scheduled.
Physician-Scientist Track
In addition to the Categorial Pediatrics residency program, students may elect to apply to our Physician Scientist Track. Applicants can apply to one or both programs. The Physician Scientist Track was created for applicants who have substantial research experience (usually a MD/PhD), and who intend to continue engaging in research during residency. Applicants that match into our Physician Scientist Track will be prioritized for candidacy in the American Board of Pediatrics Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP) or Integrated Research Pathway (IRP) if they choose to pursue one of those. To apply to our Physician Scientist Track, the NRMP name is Pediatrics/Phys Scientist; NRMP Program code : 1076320C1
We offer interview opportunities more specifically geared toward physician-scientists. Applicants interested in careers that involve basic science or translational research will participate in a regular interview day, but will have the additional opportunity to meet with research faculty to discuss mutual research interests and learn more about the research community on our campus.
Physician-scientist informational sessions with faculty and current physician-scientist residents in our program will occur in November and December.
Are you interested in doing an externship in Colorado?
Our fourth-year student program welcomes students from over 130 LCME accredited medical schools from across the U.S. Like most medical schools, we use the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS), which is an online application service developed by the AAMC for senior "away" electives. Please check with your institution to see if they use this service. In order to register for a rotation with our program, you will need to submit a request through VSAS.
- Students doing an externship at our hospital are not automatically offered interviews. The decision to offer an applicant an interview is made upon review of their application.
- Both Allopathic and Osteopathic students may apply for an externship experience.
- Any applicant who applies to VSAS also needs to complete our supplemental application form: University of Colorado Externship Supplemental Application
International Applicants
We welcome and encourage all who are interested to apply to our program. We carefully review all complete applications for consideration of an interview offer.
Applicants must be ECFMG certified by our application deadline.
- Applicants must demonstrate excellent spoken and written English as well as the ability to work in a modern, complex medical center.
- We do not consider applicants that are 3 or more years past the end of their training (medical school, internship, residency or fellowship), if they have not worked clinically within the last 3 years.
- We must receive your Step 2 score by January 15, 2027.
- The University of Colorado sponsors J1 visas through the Graduate Medical Education Office and the ECFMG. In some situations, we’ll consider sponsoring H1B visas. To be considered for an H1B, applicants must pass and submit their USMLE Step 3 score prior to January 15, 2027.
- We expect international medical graduates applicants to have exceptional academic records and to have at least 4 months of prior clinical experience in accredited US or Canadian medical centers, preferably involving in-patient pediatrics.
- At least one letter of recommendation should come from a faculty member you worked clinically with at an accredited US or Canadian medical center.
Questions regarding IMG status or previous experience are unable to be answered due to the tremendous volume of applications we receive.