Essential CV Building Tips for US Citizen IMGs in Pediatrics Residency

Understanding the Role of the CV in the Pediatrics Match

For a US citizen IMG (American studying abroad), your CV is more than a list of activities—it’s a strategic document that tells programs: “I can thrive in US pediatrics residency.” While ERAS has its own structured application format, many pediatric programs still request a separate CV for away rotations, letters of recommendation, research positions, and sometimes as a PDF upload for the application itself.

Your goals with a pediatrics residency CV are to:

• Show that you understand pediatric practice in the US
• Highlight consistent interest in children’s health
• Demonstrate reliability, maturity, and teamwork
• Help PDs and faculty quickly “see” you as a future pediatric resident

Because you’re an American studying abroad, you must also use your CV to quietly address unspoken questions:

• Are you familiar with the US healthcare system?
• Can you integrate into US training culture?
• Are your clinical skills aligned with US expectations?

A focused, polished CV helps answer “yes” to all of these.

---

Core Structure of a Strong Pediatrics Residency CV

Your medical student CV should be clean, consistent, and easy to scan. Think of a busy program director opening 60 PDFs in one evening. If they can’t find what they need in 30–60 seconds, your CV is working against you.

Recommended Sections (in order)

1. Header / Contact Information
2. Education
3. USMLE / COMLEX Scores (if you include them)
4. Clinical Experience (esp. US clinical experience – USCE)
5. Research & Scholarly Activity
6. Presentations & Publications
7. Leadership & Volunteer Activities
8. Teaching & Mentoring
9. Honors & Awards
10. Professional Memberships
11. Skills & Interests

You don’t need every section, but you must include enough to show a balanced, engaged trajectory. For pediatrics, sections that spotlight working with children and families are especially valuable.

General Formatting Guidelines

• Length: 1–3 pages for a medical student CV; 2 pages is typically ideal.
• Font: Clean and standard (e.g., Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, 11–12 pt).
• Margins: 0.5–1 inch; aim for a well-spaced, not cramped look.
• File Name: LastName_FirstName_CV_Pediatrics.pdf (professional and clear).
• Consistency: Same date format, same style for bullets, same tense usage.

Avoid design-heavy templates; residency CVs should look professional and conservative, not like a graphic design project.

---

Section-by-Section Guide: How to Build a CV for Pediatrics Residency

1. Header & Contact Information

What to include:

• Full name (bold, slightly larger font)
• Current email (professional, e.g., firstname.lastname@...)
• US phone number (if available; Google Voice is fine)
• Mailing address (optional but recommended, especially if you have a US address)
• LinkedIn profile (optional, only if it’s up to date and professional)

Example:

Jane A. Smith, MD Candidate
Email: jane.smith@email.com | Phone: +1 (555) 123‑4567
Current Address: 123 Elm Street, Boston, MA 02115
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janesmithmed

Do not include date of birth, marital status, or photo—these are not standard in US residency CVs.

---

2. Education

For a US citizen IMG, this section must be crystal clear to avoid confusion.

List in reverse chronological order:

• Medical school (include city, country, and expected graduation date)
• Undergraduate degree
• Significant graduate degrees (e.g., MPH, MS, PhD)

Example Entry:

St. George’s University School of Medicine, St. George’s, Grenada
MD Candidate, Expected Graduation: June 2026
US Citizen IMG (American studying abroad)

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
B.S. in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, May 2021

You can briefly add:

• Class rank or decile (if strong and available)
• Cumulative GPA (if meaningful and favorable)

Avoid listing high school; it’s unnecessary at the residency level.

---

3. USMLE / COMLEX Scores (Optional on CV)

Many programs see your scores in ERAS and don’t require them on your CV. However, some mentors and research supervisors like having scores visible.

You may include:

Licensing Examinations
USMLE Step 1 – Pass (First Attempt), January 2024
USMLE Step 2 CK – 245, September 2024

If scores are lower or still pending, you can list simply:

USMLE Step 1 – Pass
USMLE Step 2 CK – Scheduled February 2025

As a US citizen IMG, showing timely completion of exams helps reassure programs about your readiness.

---

4. Clinical Experience (Especially US Clinical Experience)

This is a high-impact section for a pediatrics residency CV, especially for the peds match as an IMG.

Break it into subheadings if helpful:

• Pediatrics Clinical Experience
• Other Clinical Experience
• US Clinical Experience (USCE)

What to Include

For each rotation or experience:

• Site name, city, state, country
• Department or specialty
• Dates (month/year)
• Your role (e.g., clinical clerk, sub-intern, observer)
• 2–4 bullet points highlighting responsibility and achievement

Example:

Pediatrics Sub-Internship, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Student Sub-Intern, September–October 2025

• Managed a personal census of 4–6 inpatients under supervision, including daily SOAP notes and family updates.
• Presented new admissions on morning rounds and formulated assessment/plan with attending feedback.
• Participated in family-centered bedside rounds, demonstrating clear communication and empathy.
• Collaborated with residents to coordinate complex discharge planning for medically fragile children.

For non-US rotations, be explicit about your level of responsibility and supervision. Programs want to know you’ve had meaningful, hands-on involvement.

Highlighting Pediatrics Interest

As someone aiming for pediatrics residency:

• Prioritize pediatric sub-Is, core pediatrics rotations, NICU, PICU, newborn nursery, peds ED in your listing.
• If you did electives in related fields (pediatric neurology, developmental pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology), group them under a pediatrics-focused subheading.

Example Pediatric-Focused Subheading:

Pediatrics Clinical Experience (US & International)

• Pediatrics Sub-Internship – XYZ Children’s Hospital, USA
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine Elective – ABC Medical Center, USA
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Rotation – University Hospital, [Country]
• Core Pediatrics Clerkship – University Teaching Hospital, [Country]

This structure visually reinforces your long-standing interest in pediatrics.

---

5. Research & Scholarly Activity

Even if you don’t plan an academic career, some research or scholarly involvement strengthens any pediatric applicant’s profile, especially a US citizen IMG competing in the peds match.

What Counts as “Scholarly”?

• Original research (clinical, basic science, education, QI)
• Case reports or case series
• Quality improvement projects
• Curriculum development projects
• Systematic reviews, structured literature reviews

List in reverse chronological order. For each:

• Project title or descriptive name
• Institution, location
• Mentor’s name (optional but helpful)
• Dates
• Your role
• 2–3 bullets on what you actually did

Example:

Resident Communication Training and Parent Satisfaction in a Pediatric Clinic
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Mentor: Sarah O’Neill, MD | June 2024–Present
Role: Student Research Assistant

• Conducted chart reviews and patient/parent surveys for 120 clinic encounters.
• Assisted in designing resident communication skills workshop based on parent feedback.
• Co-authored abstract submitted to the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting.

If you have limited research, that’s fine—focus on quality and relevance to children, families, communication, or systems of care.

---

6. Presentations & Publications

Programs look here for evidence of completing scholarly work and communicating findings.

Separate into subheadings if you have enough items:

• Peer-Reviewed Publications
• Abstracts & Posters
• Oral Presentations

Format consistently; for example (APA or AMA style, just stay consistent):

Smith J, O’Neill S. Improving parent satisfaction through structured resident communication training. Pediatrics. (Manuscript under review).

Smith J, Patel R. Case report: Late-presenting congenital hypothyroidism in a 4-year-old immigrant child. Poster presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference; October 2024; Washington, DC.

If you have no publications yet:

• Include posters, local presentations (e.g., medical school research day), QI presentations to department.
• Emphasize pediatric or child health topics when possible.

---

7. Leadership & Volunteer Work: Showcasing Commitment to Children

For pediatrics, your non-clinical experiences can be just as important as your clinical ones. Programs want to see you enjoy working with kids and families.

Types of Experiences to Highlight

• Volunteering at children’s hospitals or camps
• Mentoring youth or tutoring children
• Organizing health fairs at schools or community centers
• Leadership roles in pediatric interest groups
• Advocacy work involving children’s health or welfare

Example Entry:

Co-President, Pediatrics Interest Group
St. George’s University School of Medicine | August 2023–May 2025

• Organized monthly pediatric grand rounds-style sessions with visiting US pediatricians.
• Coordinated a mentorship program pairing pre-clinical students with pediatric residents in the US.
• Led a committee of 10 students to plan annual pediatric health fair serving >200 local children.

Volunteer, Children’s Literacy Program
Community Center, Brooklyn, NY | Summers 2022–2024

• Tutored elementary school children in reading and homework.
• Developed simple health education modules on nutrition and hygiene for children aged 7–10.

As an American studying abroad, showing sustained involvement with US-based organizations (even during breaks) reassures programs about your connection to US communities.

---

8. Teaching & Mentoring Experience

Pediatrics is a teaching-heavy specialty: teaching parents, children, medical students, residents, and interdisciplinary teams. Highlight any structured teaching roles:

• Problem-based learning (PBL) facilitator
• Anatomy or clinical skills tutor
• Peer mentor program leader
• Workshop leader for medical students or community members

Example:

Peer Tutor, Clinical Skills
St. George’s University School of Medicine | January 2023–Present

• Taught weekly small-group sessions on pediatric history-taking and physical exam to pre-clinical students.
• Provided formative feedback on communication skills, including interacting with standardized pediatric patients.

This shows comfort with communication, feedback, and leadership—core qualities in pediatrics.

---

9. Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Be selective and prioritize medically or academically relevant recognitions, especially those tied to pediatrics, service, or leadership.

Examples:

• Dean’s List
• Clinical honors / clerkship distinction
• Pediatric rotation awards
• Service or leadership awards
• Research prizes

Example:

Pediatrics Clerkship Honors – St. George’s University School of Medicine, 2024
Awarded for outstanding clinical performance, professionalism, and family-centered care.

---

10. Professional Memberships

Memberships show engagement with your field. For pediatrics:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Medical Student Member
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• Specialty or interest groups related to children’s health

Example:

Professional Memberships

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Medical Student Member, 2023–Present
• American Medical Association (AMA), 2022–Present

If you’ve attended AAP conferences or participated in committees, note that under activities or leadership.

---

11. Skills & Interests: Humanizing Your CV

Programs want residents who relate well to children and families. This is where you can subtly reinforce that.

Skills

Focus on professional skills:

• Languages (esp. Spanish or commonly spoken languages in your target region)
• EMR experience (Epic, Cerner, etc.)
• Basic research tools (SPSS, R, REDCap, Qualtrics)
• Pediatric life support (PALS) if obtained as a student

Example:

Skills

• Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational), Haitian Creole (basic).
• EMR: Epic, Cerner (student-level proficiency).
• Certifications: BLS, PALS (exp. 2026).

Interests

Choose interests that are authentic but also consistent with pediatrics:

• Working with children (e.g., coaching youth sports, music lessons)
• Family-oriented or teamwork activities
• Hobbies that show resilience, discipline, or balance

Example:

Interests

• Coaching youth soccer and organizing weekend clinics for children ages 6–10.
• Children’s literature and storytelling.
• Long-distance running and mindfulness meditation.

---

Tailoring Your CV as a US Citizen IMG in Pediatrics

1. Emphasize “US Citizen” Clearly but Professionally

As an American studying abroad, many programs may initially assume “IMG = visa issues.” You can subtly clarify your status in your CV:

• In your Education section (as shown): “US Citizen IMG (American studying abroad).”
• In your ERAS application and personal statement as well, for consistency.

You don’t need a separate “Citizenship” line on the CV unless requested, but making this clear once in a natural way helps.

2. Showcase US Clinical Experience (USCE)

For the peds match, programs want reassurance that you’ve:

• Functioned in US hospital environments
• Worked directly with US residents and attendings
• Understood US documentation, teamwork, and patient expectations

Prioritize:

• US pediatrics electives and sub-Is
• US primary care or family medicine with significant pediatric exposure
• Peds ED or urgent care experiences

Use your bullets to show:

• Ownership of patient care tasks
• Communication with families in the US context
• Experience with multidisciplinary teams (nurses, social workers, nutritionists, etc.)

3. Address Perception Gaps Through Experience

Some PD concerns about IMGs include:

• Communication style differences
• Understanding of US medical culture
• Adaptability to US training systems

Counter these through:

• Teaching roles (shows communication and leadership)
• Volunteer work in US settings (shows cultural familiarity)
• Long-term commitments instead of many short, scattered activities

On your residency CV, highlight continuity: one or two major commitments over years rather than 15 micro-involvements.

4. Align Experiences With Core Pediatrics Values

Pediatrics values:

• Advocacy for children and vulnerable populations
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Empathy and patience
• Resilience in emotionally demanding situations

Make choices about what you include (and how you describe it) with these values in mind. For example, if you volunteered in a general homeless shelter, frame your bullets to emphasize work with families or children when accurate:

• Assisted families with young children in accessing vaccination clinics and school physicals.
• Helped coordinate transportation for pediatric appointments.

---

Practical Residency CV Tips: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Don’t Just List—Describe Impact

Weak bullet:

• Volunteered at children’s hospital.

Stronger:

• Volunteered weekly at pediatric oncology playroom, engaging children in age-appropriate activities to reduce anxiety during chemotherapy sessions.

Focus on what you did and why it mattered.

2. Avoid Overloading With High School or Unrelated Achievements

As an applicant for pediatrics residency, your CV should feel focused on your growth as a future physician. You can safely leave out:

• High school awards
• Non-medical jobs unless they show important transferable skills (e.g., long-term work in childcare)
• Very old, unrelated activities that don’t add to your narrative

3. Be Completely Honest and Verifiable

Program directors sometimes call supervisors or search titles. Ensure that:

• Dates are accurate
• Titles of roles and positions are correct
• You truly performed what you describe in your bullets

Never inflate your role (e.g., don’t call a 2-week observership a “sub-internship”).

4. Use Strong, Clear Action Verbs

Start bullets with words like:

• Managed
• Coordinated
• Led
• Collaborated
• Conducted
• Developed
• Organized
• Taught
• Implemented

They convey initiative and responsibility.

5. Get Feedback From People Who Know the Match

Especially as a US citizen IMG, ask:

• A US-based pediatric faculty mentor
• A current pediatrics resident (especially one who was a US citizen IMG)
• Your school’s career services or advising office

Ask them specifically:

• “Does my CV read like a pediatrics applicant?”
• “Are there any red flags or confusing parts?”
• “What would you move higher or lower for impact?”

6. Maintain Multiple Versions of Your CV

Consider having:

1. Master CV (3–5 pages) with everything you’ve ever done
2. Pediatrics residency CV (2 pages) tailored for peds programs
3. Research-focused CV for specific academic or research opportunities

Update your master CV continuously; use it to “select and cut” for your peds match CV.

---

Putting It All Together: Example Prioritization for a US Citizen IMG in Peds

Imagine you are a US citizen IMG with:

• Two US pediatric electives
• One home-country pediatrics rotation
• Some research in pediatric communication
• Volunteer work with children in the US over summers
• Peer tutoring experience

Your CV priority order could look like:

1. Education
2. US Clinical Experience (Pediatrics)
3. Other Pediatrics Clinical Experience
4. Research & Scholarly Activity (Peds-focused)
5. Presentations & Posters
6. Leadership & Volunteer (Children-focused)
7. Teaching & Mentoring
8. Honors & Awards
9. Professional Memberships (AAP, etc.)
10. Skills & Interests

This structure instantly signals: “I am a pediatrics-focused applicant with relevant US experience and commitment to children’s health.”

---

FAQs: CV Building for US Citizen IMG in Pediatrics

1. How is a residency CV different from my ERAS application?

Your ERAS application is structured and limited in how you present experiences. Your CV is:

• Freer in formatting and section order
• Useful for emailing to mentors, letter writers, and potential research supervisors
• Sometimes requested as a PDF upload in ERAS or by individual programs

Use the CV to create a coherent pediatrics narrative that may not be as obvious in the rigid ERAS layout.

2. Should I list all my USMLE scores on my CV?

It’s optional. Programs see them in ERAS. Many applicants:

• Include scores if they are a strength and taken on time
• Omit specific numbers if they are lower, instead writing “Pass”

For most US citizen IMGs, it’s reasonable to list “Pass” at minimum to show timely progression.

3. How can I strengthen my CV if I’m late to deciding on pediatrics?

Focus on adding peds-relevant experiences now:

• Electives or sub-Is in pediatrics, NICU, PICU, or pediatric ED
• Pediatric-related research or QI projects
• Volunteering or mentoring children during breaks in the US
• Joining the pediatric interest group or AAP as a student member

Then, emphasize these experiences prominently on your CV, even if they are relatively recent, while still being honest about dates.

4. Do I need research to match into pediatrics as a US citizen IMG?

Pediatrics is generally less research-heavy than some specialties, but as a US citizen IMG, some scholarly work helps you stand out and shows initiative. You don’t need a long list of publications; even:

• 1–2 posters
• A meaningful QI project
• A well-described case report

can significantly strengthen your profile—especially if they involve communication, chronic disease management in kids, or system-level improvements in pediatric care.

---

By applying these structured residency CV tips, prioritizing pediatrics-focused experiences, and clearly presenting yourself as a US citizen IMG with both US and international strengths, you can build a compelling, polished CV that supports a successful peds match.