Application Process
Family medicine residency programs will begin reviewing ERAS applications in September. In accordance with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommendations, the University of Minnesota family medicine residency programs request applicants signal their most interested programs regardless of their home institution or where they completed clerkships.
Contact us with any questions at 612-626-0194, [email protected].
How to apply
We embrace candidates from diverse backgrounds and life journeys, acknowledging that an array of viewpoints and experiences leads to more robust solutions and enhanced outcomes. Incorporate your unique perspective in the personal statement and share your narrative during the interview.
Applying as soon as possible is strongly encouraged because interview calendars fill up fast, and programs have waitlists.
- Register with the National Resident Matching Program
- Review the application criteria and materials needed for application (see below)
- Apply separately to each University of Minnesota family medicine residency program in which you're interested through ERAS by December 31.
- Rank each program individually with the NRMP with the following program code(s):
- Duluth 1334120C7
- Methodist 1334120C0
- North Memorial 1334120C1
- St. Cloud 1334120C
- St. Johns 1334120C3
- Willmar Rural 1334120C8
- Woodwinds 1334120C4
- UMN Medical Center 1334120C2
- Interviews are held virtually, and invites are sent through Thalamus. If the program offers options such as on-site tours or virtual social events with residents, the details will be in the interview invitation.
- Invites go out mainly in the first two weeks of October but may continue until
December 31. Interviews last between two to six hours on weekdays depending on the program. - You have at least 24 hours to schedule your interview once invited. If your preferred date/time is booked, sign up for the waitlist.
- Please inform the residency administration one to two weeks in advance if you need to change or cancel your interview.
Contact us at [email protected] or 612-626-0194 to check on the status of your application and with questions.
University of Minnesota Medical School Diversity and Inclusion
Learn about programs leading diversity and inclusion. View diversity statement. Report discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
All programs will consider couples match applicants. View a list of other University of Minnesota residency programs and fellowships.
We do not sponsor H-1B visas. The J-1/J-2 physician visa, sponsored by ECFMG, is the preferred visa status for foreign national trainees in all University of Minnesota graduate medical education programs.
Please note: St. Cloud and Willmar do not sponsor employment visas. Candidates with pending permanent residency must obtain permanent residency by training start date.
Applicants must meet the criteria to be considered for possible off-cycle or PGY-2 positions. Contact programs directly for potential openings.
Submit the following materials by e-mailing [email protected].
- Personal statement, including reason for off-cycle start or change in residency
- Curriculum vitae
- USMLE and/or COMLEX transcripts, which verifies number of attempts on each exam
- Three letters of recommendation written within the last year
- Medical school transcript
- Medical school performance evaluation/dean's letter
- Current or previous program director's contact information
- List of rotations completed at current or previous residency
- ECFMG Certification, if international medical school graduate
Application Materials for Family Medicine Residency Programs
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
Application criteria for all programs
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
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 or be able to provide a documented medical reason for exceeding 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.
- 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.
Program-specific application criteria
Duluth
- Exhibit strong interest in full-spectrum, rural family medicine
- Include at least one letter of recommendation from a family physician
2025 residency start dates
- Duluth: June 16
- Methodist: June 10
- North Memorial: June 11
- St. Cloud: June 16
- St. John's: June 11
- UMN Medical Center: June 11
- Willmar Rural: June 16
- Woodwinds: June 11
2026 residency start dates
- Duluth: June 15
- Methodist: June 9
- North Memorial: June 10
- St. Cloud: June 15
- St. John's: June 10
- UMN Medical Center: June 10
- Willmar Rural: June 15
- Woodwinds: June 10