The best residency programs in the US offer exceptional opportunities to train with top specialists, providing new doctors the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. With numerous programs available across the country, selecting the right residency program – between the most competitive and least competitive residencies - can be a daunting task. We have put together a list of the best residency programs in the US, highlighting their key features, strengths, and what makes them stand out in the field.
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The Best Residency Programs in the US
According to the NRMP (National Resident Matching Program), there are almost 40,000 different residency programs in the US, spanning several institutions, specialties, and sub-specialties. This is a record-setting number, and sorting through all these positions is not easy to do if you’re not sure what you’re looking for.
Below you will find a list of our top 10 best residency programs in the US based on student satisfaction and reputation; the specialties they are known for will be listed as well.
Top 10 Residency Programs in the US
1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Top Specialties: Internal Medicine, Neurology, Surgery
Program Highlights:
- Extensive clinical training with cutting-edge research opportunities.
- Rotations at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
- Strong focus on mentorship and evidence-based medicine.
- Interdisciplinary teamwork across various specialties.
2. Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Top Specialties: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry
Program Highlights:
- Diverse clinical experiences at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
- Emphasis on holistic patient care and integrating clinical practice with research.
- Strong community engagement and outreach programs.
- Access to cutting-edge medical technology and research facilities.
3. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Top Specialties: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery
Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive training with rotations in urban, rural, and underserved areas.
- Focus on patient-centered care and community health.
- Renowned for research in various medical fields.
- Strong commitment to serving diverse populations.
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine
Location: San Francisco, California
Top Specialties: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology
Program Highlights:
- Dynamic and fast-paced training environment.
- Extensive experience in one of the busiest emergency departments.
- Emphasis on rapid decision-making and teamwork.
- Advanced trauma care and innovative research opportunities.
5. Stanford University School of Medicine
Location: Stanford, California
Top Specialties: Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery
Program Highlights:
- Rigorous training with extensive research opportunities.
- Collaboration with leading experts at Stanford Health Care.
- Focus on innovation, patient safety, and continuous learning.
- Access to cutting-edge medical technologies.
6. University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) School of Medicine
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top Specialties: Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Surgery
Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive training with a strong focus on clinical practice and research.
- Rotations at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital.
- Supportive learning environment.
- Emphasis on mental health research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
7. Yale School of Medicine
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Top Specialties: Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
Program Highlights:
- Diverse clinical experiences with a focus on holistic patient care.
- Integration of clinical practice with cutting-edge research.
- Strong mentorship and supportive learning environment.
- Emphasis on community health and global health initiatives.
Curious about the most and least competitive residencies?
8. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Top Specialties: Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery
Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive clinical training with a focus on advanced anesthetic techniques.
- Strong emphasis on research and continuous learning.
- Access to state-of-the-art medical facilities.
- Collaboration with top medical professionals and researchers.
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top Specialties: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine
Program Highlights:
- Strong focus on serving diverse populations and community health initiatives.
- Extensive clinical training with a commitment to patient-centered care.
- Emphasis on primary care and preventative medicine.
- Opportunities for global health rotations.
10. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top Specialties: Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Oncology
Program Highlights:
- Renowned for comprehensive clinical training and research opportunities.
- Strong focus on pediatric patient care and community involvement.
- Access to cutting-edge pediatric medical technology.
- Emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork and innovative treatments.
How To Get into the Best Residency Programs in the US
You can use the BeMo Residency Match Calculator to see how you stack up against various residency programs. The calculator takes your degree type and USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 scores to see whether you have a weak or strong chance to match to over 20 different specialties, including some on this list.
You have to enter your USMLE scores to use the Residency Match Calculator, which should signal to you how important all your standardized test scores from your MCAT scores to the USMLE and COMLEX-Level 1 (for DO graduates) scores are when applying for residency programs.
What do residency program directors look for when deciding who to admit? Here are some areas to pay attention to.
1. Write Multiple Drafts of Your Personal Statement
Writing and perfecting your residency personal statement is something essential since it is one of the main documents you need to submit to ERAS
In the US, you don’t have to write a new personal statement for each program you apply to (ERAS only lets you submit one statement per program), but you can create as many as you want to practice. Once you have written many drafts of the same essay, you will be able to nail down your voice and keep a consistent tone throughout, signifying how much time and effort you put into it. If you struggle with writing or just want to craft the most compelling essay possible, consider residency personal statement editing.
Residency personal statements are not the same as medical school personal statements, and you should know the difference before you start writing one. A residency personal statement focuses on why you are pursuing a particular specialty, like pediatrics or thoracic surgery, and what your goals are within this field. It also asks you to articulate why you are choosing the program you are choosing and what stands out about it to you. These content requirements are much different than a medical school personal statement where you recount your personal reasons for why you want to become a doctor.
2. Create an Excellent Residency CV
A residency CV is one way to enliven your application. You can use your residency CV to illustrate how diverse and multidimensional you are by listing extracurriculars for medical school or including information about internships, research, and academic and non-academic achievements.
You should create and maintain a medical student CV for your time in medical school and add to it periodically as you gain more experiences and complete more core competencies. This way your CV stays up-to-date, and admissions officers can see how you have progressed over the years, rather than judging you solely by your test scores and transcripts.
Learn how to get electives and clinical experience in the US and Canada as an IMG and add them to your CV if you have the added challenge of applying for residency with a degree you earned outside the two countries.
3. Find Out All You Need to Know About the MSPE
The MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation) is another essential component of any residency application. But, again, the format and structure of your MSPE is determined by the school you are applying to, so the best advice would be to find out as much as you can, as early as you can, about the specific requirements so that you can prepare.
4. Get Strong Letters of Recommendation
ERAS letters of recommendation are different from medical school recommendation letters since applicants have to enter their referees’ information into the MyERAS portal and send a request form to their letter writers seeking the latter’s approval. Once the letter is ready it can be uploaded to your online file and sent to your program of choice.
But the content requirements are key as well. The letters should focus on the strengths you demonstrated during medical school that set you apart from other candidates. You should ideally ask for letters from former professors or other instructors, anyone who had a supervisory role over you and can attest to your competency and professionalism.
5. Nail Your Residency Interview
If and when you get invited for your residency interview, you’ll have to be prepared. Practice residency interview questions in the weeks and months leading up to your interview! You’ll want to know enough information about the program and reflect on what you have to offer. Practice answering the most common interview questions, such as the “tell me about yourself" question, the why should we choose you?” residency interview question, the what are you looking for most in a residency program interview question, and the how will you contribute to our program residency interview question.
“I found that the most important piece to residency interviews is having a natural conversation. There is a lot more in common between you and the people you are talking to then when I had medical school interviews. I made sure to know my 2-3 key talking points, but focused on just having a good conversation with my interviewer. This is really important when you are talking to a resident, as the most important thing to them is making sure you would mesh well into the program.” - Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore, Psychiatry
You can also prepare for your interview by participating in mock interviews. These will simulate the actual interview environment you’ll be experiencing and give you the confidence and practice you need for the actual interview. Understanding what residency program directors look for can also help you prepare for your interview.
If you need help preparing the various components of your residency application, consider reaching out to a consultant. Here’s what one of our former students had to say:
"Thank you to everyone on the team for assisting with my residency application and interview preparation. Their guidance in reviewing my CV, personal statement, and interview prep was instrumental in securing my general surgery residency at St. Luke's University Hospital. The feedback on my CV format and content, as well as the ideas for structuring my personal statement, were incredibly helpful. The team responded quickly and efficiently, helping me feel confident and prepared for my interview. I highly recommend their services for any medical school or residency preparation." – Erin, St. Luke’s University Hospital, former BeMo student
FAQs
1. How should I choose my residency program?
Choosing your residency involves multiple steps, so you should start thinking about it in your second or third year. As to how to choose a medical specialty, which will ultimately determine the residency you select, you should reflect on what you want to achieve as a physician. Do you want to work with children? Do you want to help people with spinal cord injuries? Do you want to give someone a new heart? Many reasons go into how people choose a specialty, but you should go with what feels right for you.
2. Should I choose the most competitive or least competitive residency program?
Your desire to pursue a particular field or specialty should decide which residency program you choose, not whether it is competitive or not. With that said, it’s not out-of-the-ordinary to consider competitiveness when deciding, but you should focus more on which path will ultimately bring you the most personal and professional satisfaction.
3. Should I get professional residency application help?
Applying for a residency can be overwhelming, especially for already-harried medical students. If you are thinking about a residency prep company to help you navigate the application process, then you should vet them thoroughly before hiring them so you know you’ll get your money’s worth.
4. What are the qualities of a residency program I should look for?
You should examine each residency’s offerings carefully to make sure they match your professional interests and your personal criteria. The American Medical Association gives five main areas that all applicants should consider when choosing a residency program: perceived goodness of fit, reputation of program, work-life balance, location, and quality of residents in the program.
5. What are the ERAS application requirements?
The ERAS application requirements include uploading letters of recommendation, personal statements, official transcripts, and your MSPE or Dean’s Letter. There are also application fees based on how many times you apply. The more you apply, the higher the fees.
- 10 programs per specialty - $99
- 11–20 programs per specialty - $19 each
- 21–30 programs per specialty - $23 each
- 31 or more programs per specialty - $26 each
6. Can I apply to a residency program as an IMG?
Yes, international medical graduates (defined as anyone with a medical school degree from an institution outside of Canada or the US and not accredited by any US licensing body) can apply for residency programs in the US if they register with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to be certified to take the USMLE exams. Applicants must submit all their foreign medical school information to be verified, so they can get ECFMG certification.
Once certified, applicants must also prove they are eligible to apply for residencies in the US by providing all the necessary documentation.
7. Is there any difference between applying as a DO or MD graduate?
An MD vs a DO graduate will have different outcomes when it comes to matching because MD students are often matched with the most competitive programs. But DO graduates are always in demand in the programs that are the least competitive because they are more in-demand and require many doctors to fill their ranks. Specialties like internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics are all primary care specialties, which are the easiest programs to match with since the demand is greater.
8. Should I only apply to the “best” residency programs in the US?
No, you should apply to the programs that match your personal criteria for what you want to get out of your resident years. Spending up to five or seven years in a program you chose simply for its prestige or competitiveness will end up hurting you more than anyone else.
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