Pediatric Fellowship Support

Planning to apply for Pediatric Fellowship? Let us help you!! We highly recommend you let us know your future plans early so we can connect you with mentors, discuss projects, and review timelines. 

Basics:

• So many fellowship options! Here is a list of ABP certified Pediatric Subspecialties
• And know there are many more!! Certain fellowships are not ACGME accredited/ABP certified but may be exactly what you want.
  • Non-certified Pediatric Fellowship examples include: General Academic, Health Equity, Global Health, Urgent Care, Quality Improvement, Environmental Health, Healthtech/Digital Medicine, Clinical Informatics, LGBTQ+ Health, Neuromuscular Medicine, and more.
  • Local non-certified fellowships are often added to the Local Job Opportunities list found on the Job Search Support page
• Read through this sound advice from the AAP regarding fellowships
• Search your specialty(ies) of interest on this NRMP site to be linked to helpful resources/sites (note again, this list is not a complete list of options)
• Most pediatric subspecialties use ERAS for the application and NRMP for The Match. Here's the application timeline per their website.
  • In general, for most specialties...
    • ERAS opens in early June (end of your 2nd year)
    • Specialty programs begin reviewing files in mid-July (beginning of your third year)
    • Interviews generally take place from September through November (of third year)
    • Rank List is then due mid-November
    • and Match Day is end of November (winter of your third year)!
    • Fellowship begins in July, about 1 year after the initial application began
  • The above timeline is true for specialties listed here. Of note - you can click within that list to see a list of specific programs within each field (e.g. where the Pedi ID programs are, or Adolescent Medicine, etc).
• EXCEPTIONS to this timeline!!
  • The non-certified specialties have their own unique schedule that just have to be looked at on their websites. They may have limited seats and rolling admissions, so you should express interest early and not delay submitting your application. 
  • Other common options that have a different timeline include: Sports Medicine and Child Psych  (<-- click to learn more)
  • Please triple check this, as the "usual" times written below likely will not apply!
•  Finances - of note, applying in ERAS does cost money. See the current fee structure here. And, if your program uses NRMP for The Match, that will also have an associated cost.

Intern Year:

• Explore options, talk to mentors within areas of interest, and arrange for electives during first or second year
  • Things to consider might include: love of subject material, the "bread and butter" cases within that specialty, the things you don't like about a job (to help rule things out!), lifestyle considerations (e.g. shift work, nights/weekends, outpatient clinic, inpatient care --it is OK to ask your mentors about this!), procedures, future job opportunities in geographical areas of interest, finances, academic/research expectations
• Join an AAP Section for the specialty(ies) you are considering
• Engage in a project of some sort. You'll want to demonstrate academic interests on your application which will come up before you know it. 
• If you are interested in a non-certified specialty (i.e. like those listed above), write down the timeline that you will need to follow. Review this at your semiannuals so we can help you plan.

Second Year:

• For many specialties, you'll need to make your final decision by the end of the year (April-June). If that doesn't feel right, consider a gap year plan.
• Again, make sure you've engaged in a project or 2 of some sort.
  • Reach out to mentors within areas of interest to help coordinate research opportunities/conferences you can attend to present. Make use of the resident research $$ to offset costs. Think of projects that have a reasonable timeline so you can ideally have published or "in review" work on your CV, or projects that might lead to multiple posters/presentations.
  • Reach out to residents that have gotten grants/written IRB proposals/presented work for helpful tips and tricks
  • Try to have a "research group" that you can cross publish with - for exampe, have a few residents who work together on multiple projects and publish with one another. This can boost your CV in a short timespan.
• Buff up your CV! You'll want to add to your projects, posters, teaching, etc. Demonstrating a passion for your chosen field will go far.
  • Keep a running list of activities over time (for example, in your ILP) so that sitting down to do this isn't too daunting
  • Check out this CV Template
  • and Dr. Scot Bateman's talk on CV Development
• Plan a list of programs to which you'd like to apply. Review it with your mentors as well as residency leadership.
• In the spring (April/May), request recommendation letters - ideally giving your writers 4-8 weeks of leeway. Letter writers will often ask to see your updated CV and a personal statement draft so good to have those ready/drafted. 
  • Most programs require a letter from your residency program director - let Mike know early, too!!
  • It takes ERAS about 5-7 days to process uploaded letters - ask your writers to submit them at least a week before programs gain access to your application to prevent your application from being slightly incomplete on day 1.
• For some choices, you might want to consider an away elective. Talk to leadership, Monick, and the chiefs if you think this might be you! You'll need time/schedule coordination to plan.
• Networking can be helpful.
  • Try and attend a conference that’s specific to your area of interest to network and have program directors get to known you before you apply.
  • Keep your eye on the AAP website as there are many fellowship seminars leading up to application season where you can meet program directors and fellows prior to the application cycle. That’ll help your name look familiar when they see your application. These seminars are not always well attended so it’s a great way to get to know leadership in a smaller setting and ask questions that you may have. People will start recognizing you quickly. 
  • The UMass network of alumni is large!! Ask leadership to connect you with prior UMass residents training in your chosen field. This can give you an earlier sense of what programs are like and if they might fit you well.

Third Year:

• Submit your application at the start of the year (usually early/mid July)
• Interviews in the fall. Let leadership or your mentors know if you would benefit from some practice/support!
• Match Day for most programs is end of November - so quick!
• If someone unfortunately does not match, please talk to leadership so we can troubleshoot with you. There may be unmatched openings to consider or other opportunities! We are here to support you, always.
• Depending on your fellowship start and need to move, make sure your end-of-the-year residency schedule gives you the buffer that you need. Talk to the chiefs if you need help with this!