Interviews and FAQs

Applicant Selection
UMN MedPeds invites a limited number of applicants for interviews, based on complete application materials submitted through ERAS. We will contact you about the status of your application once your materials have been reviewed. If you are selected to interview with UMN MedPeds, you will be able to self-select your interview date on a first-come, first serve basis via Thalamus.

Interview Process Details
The UMN MedPeds program has a tradition of hosted dinners by current residents the night before each interview day. These dinners provide a wonderful opportunity to meet current residents and their families/significant others without the pressure of having MedPeds faculty or staff around.
Since we are interviewing virtually, we are offering an optional social event via Zoom, which will be hosted by current MedPeds residents who will be gathered together at a resident host's home. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of these Zoom social events when it is convenient, preferably the night before your scheduled interview, so you have a chance to meet our wonderful residents and ask them about life in our program. If you are unable to attend the night before but want to sign up for another night, please do so! More information on how to sign up is shared during the interview invite process.

On interview days, applicants meet with MedPeds program leadership, categorical (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) leadership, interview with MedPeds faculty, and get additional face time with residents and other individuals in the UMN MedPeds sphere. We also set aside time for informal conversation about what it's like to live and work in the Twin Cities.

Post-Interview Communication Policy
There has been a significant national discussion around how residency programs communicate with applicants after the interview day. APDIM and AAIM have released a joint policy statement and accompanying rationale.

In order to decrease ambiguity and stress around post-interview communications and maintain a level playing field among all applicants and programs, we've chosen to enact the following policy:

• Applicants are free to ask questions of whomever they wish, and will get a direct reply from that person. These inquiries are neither expected nor factored into the ranking process.
• The program will not send out individualized communications to a given applicant. The only communication applicants will receive from us will be those that go out to all applicants.

Since this policy will apply to all program-initiated communications after the interview day, it is important to know that lack of contact does not imply lack of interest in a given applicant. Rather, we will uphold the spirit of the match and rank applicants based on merit and best fit for our program. We hope that applicants will do the same when creating their own rank lists.

Beyond the Interview
We understand that this is a big decision in your life and to get the best sense of a program you may want to go beyond the interview day. We are proud of the many aspects our program has to offer and understand that it is not always feasible to show an individual every aspect of the program during your initial visit. If you are interested in making special arrangements in order to view the program to a greater degree, such as staying an extra night with a resident and participating in hospital rounds the next day, please e-mail mpchief@umn.edu or call (612) 624-0990.  

Questions?
If you have any questions about interview days, please contact MedPeds program coordinator Erica King at medpeds@umn.edu.

About Intern Orientation

How many intern positions are available?
We match 10 residents per year.

When does orientation start?
Typically, intern orientation begins during the second week of June.

When is my first day on rotations?
Typically, June 23 or June 24. We offset the early start by setting aside one week of protected vacation time for interns at the close of intern year.

What would I need to complete before residency starts?

• ACLS and BLS certification
• Institutional GME onboarding requirements, via RMS checklist
• Any MedPeds-specific requirements, as communicated to newly-matched interns

Is relocation assistance available?
Yes. The University of Minnesota Relocation Assistance Program is available to help ease the transition of moving into a new community. They provide information on moving companies, housing, child and elder care, school systems, diversity, community resources, and job search services for spouses and partners.

About Life in the Twin Cities

Do most residents rent or buy homes?
The rent vs. buy percentages vary by residency class, as well as the percentage of residents living in Minneapolis as opposed to St Paul.

As far as rentals are concerned, there are many options throughout the Twin Cities ranging from individual homes, duplexes, small complexes, and high-rises. The Minneapolis StarTribune tracks average rents and vacancy rates within the Twin Cities metro area.

Rental and neighborhood info resources include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Padmapper
• Apartments.com
• Trulia
• Zillow
• Minneapolis-St Paul Neighborhood Profiles

If you are interested in buying a home in the Twin Cities, some of the closest and best resources are fellow residents and staff. Please do not hesitate to ask colleagues for realtor recommendations and their experiences buying or selling in the Twin Cities.

What is living in the Twin Cities like?
The Twin Cities are a vibrant place to live and work - there is truly something for everyone in the metropolitan area. It is home to six professional sports teams, a myriad of fine arts institutions and festivals. Its food scene is rife with a plethora of farmer's markets, co-ops, food trucks, distilleries, breweries, fine dining, and terrific international cuisine. Minneapolis and Portland run head-to-head annually on best urban bike access.

Residency Miscellany

What is the vacation/PTO policy?
Per residency year, MedPeds residents get 24 days of PTO and 4 additional professional development/advocacy days. PTO is used for conference and fellowship interview travel, sick time, personal vacation, volunteer or advocacy work, and dedicated intern vacation time. PTO balances do not roll over from one residency year into the next.