How to Effectively Research Pediatrics Residency Programs: A Guide

Understanding the Goal of Program Research in Pediatrics

Researching pediatrics residency programs is not about finding the “best” program on paper—it’s about finding the best fit for you, your training needs, and your long-term career goals. The peds match is competitive but also highly relationship- and fit-driven. A deliberate, organized program research strategy can:

• Improve where you match, not just if you match
• Help you avoid programs that don’t support your interests or learning style
• Give you stronger, more specific answers during interviews
• Reduce stress during ERAS season and interview travel planning

When you think about how to research residency programs in pediatrics, keep three core questions in mind:

1. Can I thrive here clinically and personally?
2. Will this program support my career goals (general pediatrics vs fellowship)?
3. Is the environment one where I will feel supported, safe, and included?

Everything you do in program research—website review, talking to residents, looking at case mix, reading policies—should help you answer those three questions.

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Step 1: Clarify Your Priorities Before You Start Searching

Before you open FREIDA, Residency Explorer, or program websites, take 20–30 minutes to clarify what truly matters to you. Otherwise, you’ll drown in details and lose sight of what you actually need.

A. Define Your Clinical and Career Goals

Ask yourself:

• Do I envision myself as:
  • A general pediatrician (outpatient, inpatient, or combined)?
  • A future subspecialist (NICU, PICU, heme/onc, cards, endocrine, etc.)?
  • A clinician-educator, researcher, or advocate/public health–focused pediatrician?
• How certain am I about pursuing a pediatric fellowship?
• Do I prefer working with:
  • Complex inpatient cases, or
  • Bread-and-butter outpatient pediatrics, or
  • A mix, with emphasis on continuity clinic?

Your answers shape how you prioritize research, case mix, fellowship match history, and program size.

Example:
If you are strongly interested in pediatric cardiology, you may prioritize:

• A children’s hospital with a busy cardiology service
• Strong ICU exposure
• Robust subspecialty electives
• Programs with a track record of sending graduates into cardiology fellowships

If you’re aiming for community general pediatrics, you may prioritize:

• Community-based continuity clinic
• Outpatient experience and procedures
• Practice management and QI projects
• Geographic location where you want to eventually practice

B. Clarify Personal and Lifestyle Priorities

Pediatrics tends to be more lifestyle-friendly than many other specialties, but there is still substantial variation.

Consider:

• Geographic priorities (family, cost of living, where you might want to settle)
• Program size (small, medium, large)
• Call structure (night float vs traditional call; ICU rotations; weekend frequency)
• Support systems (childcare, partner career opportunities, communities you identify with)
• Wellness culture (burnout prevention, access to mental health resources)

Write these down in a simple “Must-Have / Nice-to-Have / Dealbreaker” table. This will anchor your evaluating residency programs process later.

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Step 2: Build a Target List Using Trusted Databases

Once you know your priorities, start building an initial list of pediatrics residency programs to research in more detail.

A. Use FREIDA and Residency Explorer Strategically

Two of the most useful tools for how to research residency programs in pediatrics are:

• AMA FREIDA – Central listing of programs with:

  • Program size, type (university, community-based)
  • Workload metrics (approximate hours, call)
  • Application criteria (visa sponsorship, USMLE/COMLEX requirements)
  • Benefits and salary ranges

• Residency Explorer – Lets you:

  • Compare your metrics (scores, research, volunteer) with previously matched applicants
  • Get a sense of competitiveness and “reach vs target vs safety” programs

How to use them efficiently:

1. Filter by specialty: Pediatrics (categorical).
2. Add filters for:
   • State/region
   • Program type (university, community, hybrid)
   • Children’s hospital presence
3. Flag programs that:
   • Fit geographic preferences
   • Match your competitiveness tier
   • Offer features aligned with your interest (e.g., children’s hospital, research, advocacy tracks)

Create a spreadsheet with columns like:

• Program name
• City/State
• University vs community
• Program size (number of residents per year)
• Children’s hospital? (Yes/No)
• Initial interest (High/Medium/Low)

This becomes your program research strategy dashboard.

B. Check AAP, NRMP, and Specialty-Specific Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

  • Sections and subsections (e.g., Section on Medical Students, Residents & Fellowship Trainees)
  • Lists of residency programs, resources for trainees, and sometimes program spotlights

• NRMP data (Charting Outcomes in the Match, Program Director Survey):

  • Understand overall peds match statistics
  • Gauge how competitive pediatrics is relative to your profile
  • Clarify what factors PDs value (letters, grades, Step scores, perceived commitment to pediatrics)

Use these to calibrate expectations and refine your list size (for many peds applicants, ~15–30 programs is common, but your situation may vary).

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Step 3: Deep-Dive into Program Websites and Public Information

Once you have a preliminary list, the real work of evaluating residency programs begins. Your goal is to move beyond brochures and buzzwords to understand what day-to-day life is actually like.

A. Read the Program Website Critically

Key pages to scrutinize:

1. Curriculum and Rotations

   • Structure by PGY year
   • Inpatient vs outpatient balance
   • PICU/NICU time and level (Level III vs IV NICU, PICU complexity)
   • Emergency department exposure
   • Community vs academic sites
   • Elective time and flexibility

2. Continuity Clinic

   • Where is it? Academic clinic, FQHC, private practice, community hospital?
   • How often do residents attend (half-day per week vs more)?
   • Patient population (underserved, suburban, mixed)
   • Does clinic feel like an important teaching site or an afterthought?

3. Subspecialty and Fellowship Opportunities

   • On-site pediatric fellowships (NICU, PICU, cards, heme/onc, GI, etc.)
   • Access to subspecialists for mentorship
   • Ability to do subspecialty electives or away rotations

4. Educational Structure

   • Morning report, noon conference, board review sessions
   • Simulation lab access
   • Scholarly project requirements
   • Opportunities to teach medical students and participate in curriculum design

5. Wellness and Support

   • Formal wellness initiatives (protected time, retreats, counseling)
   • Leave policies (parental, sick, mental health)
   • Backup coverage (e.g., jeopardy system)
   • Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

Red flags:

• Outdated website (especially schedules from many years ago)
• Very little information about curriculum or wellness
• Lack of transparency about call schedules or hours

B. Examine Faculty and Resident Profiles

The people shape your training environment.

Look for:

• Faculty interests: Are there mentors aligned with your interests (e.g., global health, medical education, advocacy, QI)?
• Leadership stability: How long has the Program Director and Chair been in place?
• Resident background and diversity:
  • Varied medical schools and regions?
  • Representation of IMGs, DOs, and different demographic groups?
  • Resident leadership roles (chiefs, advocacy leaders, QI champions)

Resident bios or “Why I chose this program” sections often highlight program culture and strengths. Patterns you may notice:

• Many residents mention supportive faculty → likely a strong teaching culture
• Emphasis on work-life balance and community → may signal a healthier schedule and environment
• Focus on research, top fellowships → program likely prioritizes academic productivity

C. Investigate Hospital and Community Context

For pediatrics, the setting is critical:

• Does the program have a free-standing children’s hospital, a children’s hospital within a larger adult hospital, or a general hospital with a pediatric wing?
• What is the catchment area? (Are kids coming from a large region with complex pathology, or is it mostly local bread-and-butter?)
• Are there affiliate sites (community hospitals, suburban clinics) that residents rotate through, and how far away are they?

Also research the surrounding community:

• Patient demographics (urban vs rural, socioeconomic diversity, language needs)
• Public health issues (asthma prevalence, obesity, lead exposure, etc.)
• Local resources (schools, cost of living, partner job market, safety)

This context deeply shapes your patient population and advocacy opportunities.

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Step 4: Analyze Objective Outcomes and Culture Signals

Beyond websites, you can use other signals to understand program quality and fit.

A. Fellowship and Job Placement

If you’re fellowship-leaning, study where graduates go:

• Does the website list recent graduates and their:
  • Fellowship matches (NICU, PICU, cards, EM, etc.)
  • Institutions where they matched (local vs national vs “top tier”)
  • General pediatrics positions (academic vs community, hospitalist vs outpatient)

Patterns matter more than prestige alone:

• A program that consistently places residents in the types of roles you want is a strong fit.
• If you want outpatient community peds and most grads go to fellowships, make sure general pediatrics is still valued and supported.

If data isn’t on the website, consider politely asking current residents during interviews or virtual open houses.

B. Board Pass Rates and Educational Focus

Pediatrics is board-heavy, and ABP pass rates can hint at educational quality.

Look for:

• Board pass rates over multiple years (one bad year can be a fluke; trends matter)
• Program investments in:
  • Formal board review
  • In-training exam preparation
  • Protected educational time (no pages or clinical duties during noon conference)

Ask yourself: “Will this program help me feel confident as a pediatrician, not just get me through residency?”

C. Workload, Schedule, and Support

Work hours and culture are just as important as prestige.

Investigate:

• Call schedule (night float vs 24-hour call; weekend frequency)
• Typical patient census on inpatient teams
• Availability of:
  • Advanced practice providers
  • Sub-interns and students
  • Ancillary staff (respiratory therapy, phlebotomy, social work, case management)
• Systems for backup coverage if someone is ill or has a family emergency

Clues to seek:

• Residents openly talking about feeling supported during emergencies
• Clear wellness initiatives with actual structure (not just buzzwords)
• Alumni or resident testimonials about “feeling like a family” or “never feeling alone on difficult cases”

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Step 5: Use People and Networks to Get Insider Perspectives

No matter how polished a website looks, nothing replaces talking to people who have firsthand experience.

A. Leverage Your Home Institution

If your medical school has a pediatrics residency or strong pediatrics department:

• Talk to:
  • Pediatric attendings
  • Chief residents
  • Graduating seniors in pediatrics
• Ask:
  • “Which peds programs do you think might fit my goals?”
  • “Do you know anyone at [Program X] that I could reach out to?”
  • “What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of [Region/Program Type]?”

Faculty often have informal networks and can offer candid insights you won’t find online.

If you do not have a home pediatrics program, consider:

• Away rotations (VSLO/VSAS) at programs of interest
• Mentorship through national groups (e.g., AAP, SNMA, LMSA, AMWA) that can connect you with residents elsewhere

B. Reach Out to Current Residents and Recent Graduates

Talking to current residents is one of the most powerful ways to refine your program research strategy.

You can often find contact information via:

• Program websites (resident emails or leadership contact forms)
• Social media (Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn) for residency programs
• Virtual open houses and info sessions

When reaching out, be respectful and specific. For example:

“I’m a fourth-year medical student interested in pediatrics and considering applying to your program. Would you be willing to share what you see as the biggest strengths and challenges of your residency, and what type of applicant tends to thrive there?”

Targeted questions to ask:

• “How would you describe the culture among residents?”
• “How approachable and supportive are the attendings?”
• “Do you feel the program is responsive to resident feedback?”
• “What does a tough day look like? What does a great day look like?”
• “If you could change one thing about the program, what would it be?”

Patterns across multiple residents’ responses are more telling than one-off comments.

C. Attend Virtual and In-Person Events Thoughtfully

Many pediatrics programs now host:

• Virtual open houses
• Meet-the-residents nights
• DEI-focused info sessions
• Subspecialty interest nights (e.g., primary care, global health)

Treat these events as data-gathering opportunities, not auditions:

• Observe how residents interact with each other and faculty
• Note whether questions about wellness and call are answered transparently
• Pay attention to inclusivity and respect in discussions

Take brief notes after each session while your impressions are fresh. This will help during rank list season.

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Step 6: Compare and Organize Programs Using a Structured Approach

By now, you’ll likely have more information than you can easily remember. Converting this into a structured comparison is the last key step in evaluating residency programs effectively.

A. Build a Comparison Spreadsheet or Scorecard

Create a table for each program with key variables, such as:

• Core details
  • Location / region
  • Program type (university / community / hybrid)
  • Class size
• Clinical training
  • Children’s hospital type
  • NICU/PICU level
  • Balance of inpatient vs outpatient
  • Patient diversity and volume
• Career development
  • Fellowship match strength (especially in your areas of interest)
  • Research opportunities and protected time
  • Teaching and leadership opportunities
• Culture and wellness
  • Resident satisfaction (based on conversations)
  • Support systems and wellness resources
  • DEI commitment and representation
• Logistics
  • Call schedule and workload
  • Cost of living and salary
  • Family/partner considerations

You can assign qualitative ratings (e.g., 1–5) or just color-code (green/yellow/red) based on your preferences. The goal isn’t mathematical precision, but clarity.

B. Revisit Your Priority List

Return to your original “Must-Have / Nice-to-Have / Dealbreaker” list and check:

• Which programs clearly meet your must-haves?
• Which programs cross into dealbreaker territory (e.g., location you can’t tolerate, excessive call, lack of subspecialty exposure you need)?
• Are you overemphasizing prestige at the expense of well-being or fit?

For the peds match, strong letters, a clear commitment to pediatrics, and a convincing narrative of fit often matter more than chasing only the “top-name” programs.

C. Decide Where to Apply—and Be Honest with Yourself

After this structured program research strategy, you should be able to:

• Identify:
  • A set of “reach” programs (more competitive than your stats, but worth a shot)
  • A core group of “target” programs (good fit and realistic)
  • A few “safety” programs (where you are highly likely to match and would be comfortable training)

Reality-check this list with a trusted advisor or mentor. They may catch gaps, such as:

• Too few programs in total
• No genuine safety options
• Overemphasis on a single city or coast, making match outcomes less predictable

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Step 7: Use Your Research During Interviews and Ranking

The point of all this work isn’t just to choose where to apply; it’s to help you interview and rank wisely.

A. Tailor Your Interview Preparation

Use your research to:

• Ask specific, thoughtful questions:
  • “I noticed your curriculum includes a longitudinal advocacy track; how have residents used that to build community partnerships?”
  • “I saw that most of your grads who pursue NICU have matched into strong programs—what kind of mentorship supports that path?”
• Demonstrate that you understand the program’s strengths and are aligned with its mission

This signals genuine interest and helps interviewers envision you there.

B. Reality-Check Impressions After Each Interview

Right after each interview day (virtual or in-person), jot down:

• What surprised you—positively or negatively?
• Did residents seem:
  • Tired and disengaged, or
  • Honest, reflective, but still supportive of the program?
• Did your impressions match or conflict with your pre-interview research?

Sometimes a program looks perfect on paper but feels off during the interview; other times, a “backup” program becomes a top choice after you see the culture and people.

C. Final Rank List: Align Data with Gut Feeling

When it’s time to make your rank list:

• Revisit your spreadsheet and notes
• Reflect on:
  • “Where would I be happy if this were the only program I matched at?”
  • “Where do I feel I can grow into the pediatrician I want to become?”
• Use both:
  • The objective data you gathered
  • Your subjective sense of fit from interviews and resident conversations

In pediatrics especially, your well-being and sense of community directly affect your ability to care for children and families. Let that guide your final decisions.

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FAQs: Researching Pediatrics Residency Programs

1. How many pediatrics residency programs should I research and apply to?

Most applicants should research more programs than they ultimately apply to, then narrow down. Many U.S. MD applicants to pediatrics apply to roughly 15–25 programs; DOs and IMGs often apply more broadly (25–40+), depending on competitiveness. Your exact number should be based on:

• Your academic profile (scores, grades, MSPE)
• Strength of letters and experiences
• Visa needs (for IMGs)
• Geographic flexibility

A mentor or dean’s office advisor can help tailor this number to you.

2. What if a program doesn’t list board pass rates or fellowship outcomes?

Lack of data doesn’t always mean poor outcomes, but it does limit transparency. You can:

• Politely ask during interview days or virtual sessions
• Ask current residents: “How does the program support board prep?” and “Do graduates feel prepared for board exams and next steps?”
• Look for indirect evidence:
  • Presence of fellowships at that institution
  • Visible scholarly work by residents

If a program resists sharing any outcomes or seems vague, consider that a soft red flag, especially if you’re fellowship-leaning.

3. How can I tell if a program is truly supportive of wellness and not just using buzzwords?

Look for concrete structures, not just slogans:

• Protected wellness time or retreats actually built into the schedule
• Backup call or jeopardy systems to cover sick residents
• Easily accessible mental health resources
• Residents who can candidly describe:
  • Times when the program stood by them during personal crises
  • How leadership responds to feedback about workload or burnout

When multiple residents independently describe real support—not just pizza parties—you’re more likely seeing authentic wellness culture.

4. I’m not sure if I want a fellowship. How do I choose programs that keep both options open?

Choose programs that:

• Provide broad, solid general pediatrics training
• Offer exposure to a range of subspecialties through electives and conferences
• Have at least some track record of graduates going into fellowships
• Support scholarly projects even if you don’t aim to be highly research-focused

During interviews, ask: “How does your program support residents who are undecided about fellowship versus general pediatrics?” A program that encourages exploration and offers flexible mentorship will keep your options open while you refine your goals.

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By approaching the peds match with a deliberate, organized approach to how to research residency programs, you transform an overwhelming process into a thoughtful search for the place where you can become the pediatrician you want to be. Use these steps, adapt them to your priorities, and let both data and your instincts guide you to the right pediatrics residency fit.