Applicants

All applicants must be eligible for a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in California.
Applications to the Child Neurology Residency Program are submitted through ERAS www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). For information about registering, please visit their website, www.nrmp.org, or call them at (866) 617-5834.

Please note you need ONLY apply to UCSF Child Neurology and do not need to put in a separate application to the Pediatrics programs. Candidates who are offered interviews will be asked to apply to the Preliminary position for Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Pediatrics residency at that time to be placed on that rank list. No application to the UCSF Categorical Pediatrics program is needed. You do not need a separate Personal Statement for Pediatrics. No supplemental application will be required for the Pediatrics programs. 

We recommend 3-4 letters of recommendation with your application from faculty who know you well. Your letters should ideally include at least one from a child neurology faculty member. If you are a Ph.D. student, we recommend one of the letters be from your Ph.D. mentor.

If you are a graduate of a foreign medical school, please also take these additional steps:

Step 1: You must hold a current, valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This is mandatory for an appointment at this institution as well as for licensure in the State of California. Please contact them directly to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and to complete the other steps required for an ECFMG certificate. Their address is: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates; 3624 Market St., 4th Floor; Philadelphia PA 19104-2685; USA.

Step 2: After you have received your ECFMG certificate, and before applying for clinical training at UCSF, please contact the Medical Board of California. They require that you complete their application form and submit various documents and records along with a processing fee. Upon a successful review of your application credentials, your education, and your USMLE scores, the CMB will issue an "Applicant Evaluation Status Letter." This letter enables you to apply for training at UCSF. A copy of this letter should be provided to the UCSF Child Neurology program director. Please write to Medical Board of California; 1426 Howe Ave; Sacramento CA 95825-3236; USA. Tel: 916-263-2499.

1. Minimum USMLE Scores – you must have a passing score
2. US Clinical Experience Requirements – you must have completed a minimum of 4 months of evaluated clinical experience in the US
3. Graduate Year Cutoff – you must have graduated from medical school within the last 5 years
4. Our program will not sponsor trainees for an H1B Visa.

ERAS 2025-2026 Applicant Dates
June 4, 2025 – MyERAS season begins
September 3, 2025 – Applicants may begin applying to ACGME accredited programs
September 24, 2025– ERAS applications and MSPEs are released to residency programs
October 31, 2025 – UCSF Applicant registration deadline

ERAS Web site: http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/

NRMP 2025-2026 Applicant Dates
September 15, 2025 – Applicant registration begins
January 30, 2026 – Applicant Standard Registration Deadline
February 3, 2026 – Rank order list certification deadline
March 21, 2025 – Match Day!

NRMP Web site: http://www.nrmp.org/residency/main-residency-match/

Applicants will be able to submit their rank lists for UCSF Child Neurology linked for one or both positions, in the order desired.

• For Categorical training (2 year of Peds time at SF and Child Neurology training at UCSF, two positions available)

NRMP code: 1062185C0

• For Advanced training (2 years of Peds time at Oakland and Child Neurology training at UCSF, one position available)

NRMP code: 1062185A0 and Oakland Peds Prelim/Child Neurology: 1939320P0

NRMP Website: http://www.nrmp.org/residency/main-residency-match/

Interviews

Applications are reviewed by the selection committee using a holistic process to minimize bias. Interviews will be offered via the ERAS/Thalamus program.  Applicants will have 72 hours to reply before any further offers will be made. Applicants will receive further information on the interviews and presentations via email.

For 2025-2026 Interview Dates for UCSF Child Neurology residency:

2025-2026 Interview Dates for UCSF Child Neurology Residency:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

All interviews will be virtual this season per the UCSF GME and Child Neurology Society recommendation. We offer a joint interview experience over one full day.

Applicants will meet the program directors for both Pediatrics programs, the Adult Neurology program, and the Child Neurology program. They will participate in zoom teaching, an overview of each program, discussions with residents and interviews with the selection committee members. We are utilizing AAMC guidelines to optimize virtual interviews, including recommendations to maximize time with trainees, minimize fatigue and minimize bias.

1. Do you do not need to put an application into the UCSF Pediatric categorical program or the Oakland Pediatrics Preliminary program when you initially apply? NO

Once you schedule an interview with us, we will have you put an application into the Oakland preliminary position. This is required for the two programs to generate the linked rank order list together. No separate application is needed for the SF Pediatrics program as our relationship as a categorical 5-year program allows us to generate a single rank list.

2. Do you do not need a separate Personal statement for Pediatrics? NO

3. Do you do not need to do the Supplemental application for Pediatrics? NO

4. Why do all applicants attend the presentations about both Pediatrics programs?

You will have an option to rank only one program, or both, depending on your preference. Both of our affiliated Pediatric residency programs are excellent. Each program has its own personality, and we hope you will learn enough to see which fits your personal and educational goals. Additionally, the Child Neurologists in the San Francisco and Oakland Children’s hospitals are all UCSF Neurology faculty and are available for mentorship and academic projects throughout your residency. We also hope you can learn about the opportunities for elective time at Oakland during your Child Neurology residency years.