C. S. Mott Children's Hospital

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Selection Policy

Department of Pediatrics
Division of Neurology Residency
Selection Policy - 2006

Applicants to the University of Michigan Pediatric Neurology Residency training program will be at different stages of training, depending on when they apply. Except for unfilled positions within 6 months of the start of training, all applications must be submitted to the Child Neurology matching program. All applicants must use the uniform application form provided by the SF match.

Candidates may be fourth year medical students in good standing at US or Canadian medical schools, or individuals who will have successfully completed two years of US or Canadian Pediatric residency training prior to the beginning of Pediatric Neurology residency.

Candidates must be able to meet the following criteria, prior to beginning their Pediatric Neurology training:

• Successful graduation from a medical school in the United States or Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, successful graduation from a medical school outside the United States or Canada that has a valid ECFMG certificate, or successful graduation from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.
• Successful completion of two years of Pediatric training in an ACGME-accredited residency program in Pediatrics or one year of  Pediatric residency and one year of Internal Medicine residency training.
• Completion of USMLE Steps I and II or equivalent COMLEX exams; we prefer to have results of USMLE II prior to the submission of ranking lists.

All candidates must meet the following criteria:

• A minimum of three letters of recommendation from academic faculty referees who are familiar with the candidate’s qualifications
• A medical school dean’s letter
• For candidates who are already in a pediatric residency program, one of the recommendation letters must be provided by their residency program director.
• Applicants must be able to provide official transcripts from their medical school; in addition, if candidates are accepted, successful completion of the credentialing process includes primary source verification, for individuals who hold ECFMG certification.
• Candidates must hold proper work authorization and be able to provide proof of citizenship, permanent residence, green card, Visa documentation (J-1) or other qualifying authorization.

Only applicants who would be eligible for ABPN certification at the end of their training will be considered.

Selection

The Division of Pediatric Neurology within the University of Michigan participates in the Residency Match program run by the San Francisco Matching Program.  All interested candidates must apply for residency training slots through the match program.

The  program selects from among eligible applicants on the basis of their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity (ACGME Institutional Requirements II. A.2.a.).

The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age marital status, sexual orientation, disability or Vietnam era veteran status (Source: Bylaws of the Board of Regents, Chapter XIV, Sec. 14.06.) Selection shall be without reference to country of medical school origin.

The program director reviews all completed applications that are submitted through the SF match. The program director will prioritize offering interviews to individuals with strong academic potential - based on review of academic records, USMLE scores, other standardized medical examination scores, reference letters, and other accomplishments. The program director will solicit a review from an additional faculty member prior to making a decision to reject any applicant. All applicants will receive an email response within one week.

Selected candidates will be offered two interview dates. If the candidate is unwilling to accept either of the dates offered, the program director will decide if special arrangements should be made to accommodate the candidate. If the candidate is invited to interview for Pediatric residency here, whenever possible, interviews for Pediatric Neurology will be scheduled in conjunction with scheduled Pediatric interviews.  

Criteria for interview invitations:

• Candidate must be in good standing at medical school or in residency.
• Candidate must meet eligibility for hiring at University of Michigan, including eligibility for work visa if non-US citizen.
• Candidate must demonstrate strong communication skills in submitted written materials.
• Candidate reference letters must be uniformly supportive.
• Average USMLE part 1 and 2 scores (or equivalent COMLEX scores) must be >/= 200.
• Exceptions will be considered, particularly for individuals who have out-standing references from senior academic medical faculty.

Candidates who do not meet  training requirements or who cannot be eligible for ABPN certification will not be offered interviews. If candidates do not provide 3 academic references,  a “Dean’s letter”, or a letter from the director of their pediatric residency training program (if applicable), then the application is rejected. Candidates may be asked for additional information or references prior to a final decision.

Pediatric Neurology candidate interviews take one day, and include meetings with a group of individuals described below. The Division does not provide travel costs.

• at least 4 pediatric neurology faculty members

• at least 1 adult neurology faculty member

• 1 pediatric neurology resident

• 1 adult neurology senior resident

• for candidates not interviewing for UM pediatric residency, a pediatric senior resident

Each individual provides a written evaluation of the candidate.

Among eligible applicants, ranking criteria will include: ability, aptitude, academic credentials, interest in our training program, communication skills and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity.  The program will not discriminate with regards to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

In January, applicants are ranked by consensus of the Pediatric Neurology faculty.

This policy is in compliance with the Institutional Policy on House Officer Selection.