Application Process

UCI School of Medicine/Children’s Health of Orange County Pediatric Residency program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Our application deadline is December 1. Please include the following supportive documents along with your application:

The UC Schools of Medicine have reached a consensus agreement regarding the residency and fellowship interview season for the upcoming academic year: All interviews must be held remotely, even if the candidate lives locally. This policy is in alignment with guidance provided by the Coalition for Physician Accountability, which is composed of key national medical educational stakeholders, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), LCME, AAMC, AMA and the ACGME.

The UCI School of Medicine is supportive of this approach because we must take into consideration the safety and well-being of applicants, physical restrictions and financial barriers to travel, and shifting shelter-in-place orders. To promote an equitable selection process, all applicants should have the same interview experiences and opportunities to interact with the program’s faculty and residents.

If you are applying to one of our combined residency programs (Neurology or Medical Genetics):

• Apply to categorical pediatrics as well. If you have any concerns regarding this requirement, contact our residency office at pedsresidency@hs.uci.edu.
• Check with the combined program you are interested in before applying to determine if they are accepting new residents:
  • Clinical Genetics: noropeza@hs.uci.edu
  • Pediatric Neurology: karen.olson@choc.org

Our program will accept either COMLEX Level 2 or USMLE Step II for DO applicants only.

There are special requirements for international medical graduates (IMGs) who wish to take post-graduate training in California. Further information can be obtained from the Medical Board of California.

All applicants must apply through ERAS. International graduates can apply through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). If you are not a U.S. citizen, please carefully review the information below regarding visa status before proceeding.

• According to new California state legislation, IMG applicants no longer need a PTAL to apply. After the match, all non-licensed physicians will be required to obtain a PTL within 180 days of hire.

• The University of California accepts only J-1 visas. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have proof of your visa or residency status. If you have a current J-1 visa, a current ECFMG certificate is also required.