Application Process

Family medicine residency programs will begin reviewing ERAS applications Wednesday,  September 27, 2023. 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, fmrp@umn.edu.

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.

  1. Register with the National Resident Matching Program
  2. Review the application criteria and materials needed for application (see below)
  3. Apply separately to each University of Minnesota family medicine residency program in which you're interested through ERAS by December 31.
Interviews
  • Interviews will be conducted virtually.
  • Invites for interviews are sent via ERAS self-scheduler or Thalamus.
  • Programs allow a minimum of 24 hours for invited applicants to schedule their interview before inviting more applicants.  If your desired interview slot is already filled, add your name to the wait list for that day/time.
  • Programs send interview invitations primarily in the first two weeks of October. After interview calendars are filled, we may continue to send invitations until December 31 to join a waitlist and for openings that may come available.
  • Interviews are usually two to six hours on a weekday, and this varies by program.
  • Notify residency administration with interview changes or cancellation within one to two weeks prior to the interview.

Contact us at fmrp@umn.edu or 612-626-0194 to check on the status of your application and with questions.

University of Minnesota Medical School Diversity and Inclusion
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Couples matching

All programs will consider couples match applicants.  View a list of other University of Minnesota residency programs and fellowships. 

Visa sponsorship

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.

Off-cycle or PGY-2 positions

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 fmrp@umn.edu.

  • 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 a non-US medical school graduate

Expand all

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:

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.
  • 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.

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

2024 residency start dates

  • Duluth: June 12 (est.)
  • Methodist: June 10 (est.)
  • North Memorial: June 12 (est.)
  • St. Cloud: June 17 (est.)
  • St. John's: June 12 (est.)
  • UMN Medical Center: June 10 (est.)
  • Woodwinds: June 12 (est.)