Application Process

Submit the following application materials for the eight University of Minnesota family medicine residency programs.

• Personal statement with the following:
  • What excites you about family medicine
  • Your experiences that influenced your decision to become a family physician
  • Future practice goals
• Medical school performance evaluation (MSPE)
• Transcripts from all medical schools attended
• Curriculum vitae that includes the following:
  • In the description of an experience, add details such as average number of hours spent (daily, weekly, etc.) and if it varied. 
  • If listing an ongoing experience, include details about the expected end time.
• Three recent letters of recommendation. Prefer letter from a family physician.
• USMLE and/or COMLEX transcripts
• Photograph of yourself

Applicant Criteria for Family Medicine Residency Programs

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for an interview with one or more University of Minnesota family medicine residency programs.

Required

1. Graduated from medical school or have patient care experience (which may include an appropriate preparation for residency program) within five years of application. Medical schools must appear in one of the following directories:

• American Osteopathic Association
• Liaison Committee on Medical Education
• World Directory of Medical Schools and be accredited by an accrediting agency that is officially recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)

2. Qualified to begin work by mid-June.

3. Be eligible for a Minnesota Board of Medical Practice license

• View license eligibility and requirements

4. Meet the following USMLE or COMLEX exam requirements:

• Passed each USMLE or COMLEX exams (Step 1/Level 1, Step 2-CK/Level 2-CE) within three attempts.
• USMLE / COMLEX transcript updated in ERAS upon receipt of each step/level exam results.
• USMLE Step 3, COMLEX Level 3, or equivalent pathway to be passed within five years of Step 2 / Level 2 or before the end of residency training.
• The first USMLE / COMLEX exam taken within eight years of starting residency or completed the SPEX exam within three attempts.

5. Have verified U.S. clinical experience.

6. International medical school graduates have ECFMG certification

• Current international medical school students be certified with the certification issue date before the first day of orientation.
• Past international medical school graduates certified for interview selection.

Visas

• Duluth, Methodist, North Memorial, St. John's, Woodwinds, and UMN Medical Center sponsor J1 visas.
• St. Cloud and Willmar do not sponsor J1 visas. Candidates with pending permanent residency must obtain permanent residency by training start date.
• All programs do not sponsor H visas.

Exams

• USMLE Step 2 CK or COMLEX Level 2 CE results are not required for current students, but preferred for interview selection. There is no minimum score requirement.
• To be considered for ranking, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit Step 2 CK or Level 2 CE results. 
• Applicants are expected to submit Step 2 CK or Level 2 CE results as soon as the score becomes available.

Duluth

• Exhibit strong interest in full-spectrum, rural family medicine
• Include at least one letter of recommendation from a family physician