What do I need to do to apply?
The following materials are required for a completed application to the Tulane Pediatrics Residency Program:
- Application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)
- MSPE (Dean's letter) and Official Medical School Transcript
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty who know you well through clinical work, research, advising, or other meaningful experiences.
- At least one letter should be from a pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist who has worked with you clinically and can speak directly to your clinical performance.
- A departmental or chairman’s letter is NOT required unless that individual knows you well enough to provide a meaningful recommendation.
- Passing score on USMLE Step I and/or COMLEX Step I
Notes:
USMLE/COMLEX Step II is not required for application, but a passing score on USMLE/COMLEX Step II must be documented prior to our rank list lock (early February). We do not rank applicants without a passing Step II.
We understand that some applicants have needed to repeat USMLE or COMLEX Steps for various reasons. Exam scores are only one part of our review of academic metrics, and we do not exclude individuals with previous USMLE/COMLEX failures.
Please do not hesitate to submit your ERAS application on the initial release date – we will send out invitations before some components (e.g. the dean’s letter) are in the file.
Applications received after October 15 will not be considered.
Applicants to our StARR (Pediatrician-Scientist) Pathway must also apply to the Categorical Pediatrics Program.
How do we review applications?
We receive well over 1,000 applications each year for our 9 intern positions (8 categorical and 1 pediatrician-scientist). The primary criteria by which we select applicants for interviews is our ability to help them reach their career goals. Please thoroughly review our website to see if your career goals align with our program’s training mission before applying. There is no singular way to become an exceptional pediatrician.
The Tulane Pediatrics Residency Program values a holistic review process to understand each applicant’s background, experiences and unique talents that can add to the richness of our program. As such, we incorporate rolling interview invitations beginning early October – we will invite applicants as we review their applications, so some will receive their invitations sooner than others. The order in which you receive your invitation is not indicative of the “strength” of your application – it is simply a product of our comprehensive review process. Unfortunately, we get more applications than we can extend interviews, so we only invite as many as we can interview.
What do we look for in an application?
Probably our most common question! This is difficult to answer, as we are more interested in a person’s story than specific attributes. We highly value the richness of our program – each of our residents is an individual with a set of values, experiences and life lessons that we can all learn from! All of us have experienced set-backs and successes – we are most interested in your journey and growth over time. We are all more than a set of metrics.
We look for applicants that demonstrate the motivation and work ethic to achieve their career goals. Applications are reviewed for evidence of:
- Seeing opportunities where others see challenges
- Experience working outside of their comfort zone
- Persistence in working on difficult problems
- Proactiveness in addressing problems that arise
- Focus on intellectual curiosity, academic advancement & resilience
What does the interview day look like?
Interview days are held on Thursdays from November through January. All interviews are scheduled through Thalamus and conducted virtually via Zoom. When interview invitations are released, we use a 24-hour scheduling delay in Thalamus so that all applicants have time to review the available dates before scheduling opens. Each applicant selects their preferred date. If your preferred dates are full, please add yourself to the waitlist for any days you are available. Interview days change rapidly during the season, so this will ensure you are able to secure an interview date with us that works best for you.
Your interview session begins with a Program Director Welcome followed by a “Nuts & Bolts” session with the Chief Residents. These sessions are designed to give you a better understanding of our program culture and logistics.
You will then have four interviews: one with the program director, one with an associate program director, one with a faculty member and one with a current resident. This is to ensure you have exposure to the full breadth of the individuals you will be working with during your training. We believe this gives us the most comprehensive view of all that makes you the incredible applicant you are!
All of our interview day sessions are designed to be informal but informative – please use your time with us to ask questions or gain clarification on the aspect that makes Tulane and New Orleans a formidable place to train!
How do we rank applicants?
Your educational background, academic metrics (i.e. exam performance), engagement in your community, personal statements, and your journey (professional and personal growth) are all factored into our final rank list. Interviewers score and make notes immediately after the interviews based on your response to interviewers’ questions. No single attribute outranks the others - again, we are all more than metrics!
We do NOT rank applicants based on:
Race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability
Participation in optional elements of the interview experience
Post-interview communication or thank you notes
What happens after the interview?
Please reach out to us if you have questions that arise after your interview day – we want you to make an informed decision about your training. We will direct your question to the best person to answer it!
We do not expect or track thank-you notes or thank you emails from applicants – we know you are appreciative because you took the time to meet with us! In the spirit of Tulane, please take the time you would have spent writing us a thank you note and do something meaningful for yourself or your community instead. Take a walk, pick up litter or bring a meal to a friend!
Please note that during recruitment season, we get an abundance of emails expressing interest in our program both during the application process and following interviews. Please recognize that we may not be able to respond to all emails, unless there is a specific question, nor does email correspondence factor into our interview invitations or rank list.
Applicants are encouraged to attend a resident-led social event during interview season. These events provide an opportunity to talk directly with our residents and hear about their experiences in the program and life in New Orleans. Our Residents really are the BEST part of training at Tulane!
We will also offer an in-person Second Look opportunity in February, with dates announced later in the interview season. Second Look is entirely for the benefit of applicants and is not part of our evaluation process. We participate in the NRMP Rank Order List Lock program, so our rank list will be in and locked. Attendance is completely optional and cannot affect your position on our rank list. We recognize this day does not always work for everyone – if you find yourself in New Orleans at any point and would like to see our facilities or meet some of our residents, please reach out.
What if I am Couples Matching?
If you are participating in the Couples Match, please provide the name of your match mate and the residency program to which he/she/they is/are applying in the space indicated on your ERAS application.
What if I am an International Medical Graduate?
Highly qualified individuals from medical schools outside the United States and Canada are invited to apply for pediatric residency with us.
The applicant must also have passed both USMLE Steps I and II. There is no minimum USMLE score, but we do require a passing score.
Preference is given to those within five years of medical school graduation, however there is no strict cut-off for maximum number of years since medical school graduation.
Preference is given to those with experience in the US healthcare system (including observerships) but this is not required.
Applicants must be ECFMG certified.
At this time, we only sponsor J-1 visas.
We do not offer observerships or externships.
What if I have questions?
Meghan Howell, MD
Program Director, Tulane Pediatrics Residency Program
210 State St., Bldg 1, Suite W-122
New Orleans, LA 70118
Email: mhowell2@tulane.edu
Jessica Mason
GME Program Administrator II, Tulane Pediatrics Residency Program
210 State St., Bldg 1, Suite W-122
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504-988-5458
Email: jmason8@tulane.edu