Applications to the Pediatric Residency Program are accepted through ERAS starting in July.
Deadline
Applications must be received by Dec. 1, 2025. Interviews will begin Oct. 14 and will conclude Jan. 9, 2026.
University of Iowa Pediatric Residency Program NRMP Program Code: 1203320C0
Application Materials
Please include the following documents with your application:
- USMLE scores
- Dean's letter
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Criteria for Candidacy
U.S. Allopathic Medical School Graduates
- Passing USMLEs with no more than one failure.
- Application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) including:
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation
- Dean’s letter
- Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital
- Personal statement
- Photograph.
- We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter”
Osteopathic Medical School Graduates
- COMLEX Step 1 and Step 2 scores of at least 500 or USMLE Step 1 score of at least 200
- Application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) including:
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation
- Dean’s letter
- Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital
- Personal statement
- Photograph
- We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter”
International Medical School Graduates
- USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores of at least 225 on first attempt. Scores must be available before you can be considered for an interview.
- Passing grade on the CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS on the first attempt.
- Medical school graduation date within the last 5 years.
- Appropriate medical education to train in a large U.S. teaching hospital.
- Previous pediatric residency experiences, observership or clinical experience in the U.S. is strongly preferred.
- Previous degree in U.S., (i.e. MPH) is also desirable.
- Application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) including:
- A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation
- Dean’s letter
- Medical school transcript verifying appropriate medical education to train in a large teaching hospital
- Personal statement
- Photograph
- We do not require a “Chairman’s Letter”
- U.S. citizenship, J-1 Visa, (H-1B may be considered per individual applicant's status as well as meeting the requirement for completion of Step 3)
The Interview
In compliance with institutional, state, and national recommendations, our program will be solely conducting virtual interviews for the 2025–2026 residency NRMP Match cycle. We will not offer in-person interviews or visits to our site.
We will interview approximately 200 candidates for 15 positions beginning October 14 and ending mid-January. Orientation for all new residents begins June 24, so you must be available for that start date and be licensed in Iowa by June 30.
Invitations to interview
Invitations from our program will be extended via Thalamus, enabling you to self-schedule your interview.
What should I expect on the interview day?
Your interview day will begin around 8 a.m. and conclude around 11:50 a.m. (Central Time Zone), on the Zoom platform. The components of your day will include an overview of the program, followed by Q&A with our chief residents, a virtual tour, interviews with the program director and three other faculty members and a current pediatric resident.
Faculty during my interviews were so engaging and interested in me and my learning.
Questions
Please contact peds-res@uiowa.edu.
Pediatric Board Certification
Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process which serves multiple purposes for the trainee and the public.
Certification is:
- One mission of the training program to produce trainees who meet board eligibility criteria
- Distinguishes a physician as someone with a distinct level of expertise
- Provides more opportunities when applying for employment
- Presents resources and tools by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
- A commitment to life-long improvement for providing the best patient care
- Elevates physicians into the ranks of doctors committed to the highest standards of healthcare
For more information visit the American Board of Pediatrics for specifics on board certification requirements.