Applying for residency

Penn students applying for a residency in Internal Medicine have been highly successful in the Match. The Department of Medicine is dedicated to helping students through the residency application process. Once students decide they are interested in a career in Medicine, they are assigned to a Department of Medicine faculty advisor who helps guide each student through decisions regarding course selection, residency applications, and residency program selection decisions However, we encourage you to reach out to a member of the advising team at any point if you have any questions.

Department of medicine faculty advisors

Headshot of Ashok Linganna, MD, MSEd Ashok Linganna, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
Email: Ashok.Linganna@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Headshot of Keith Hamilton, MD Keith Hamilton, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Email: Keith.Hamilton@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Internal Medicine residency application requirements

  • Students wishing to apply for Internal Medicine residency should complete the following courses by August 31st of the year in which they are applying.
    • A sub-internship through the Department of Medicine
    • At least one additional elective in the Department of Medicine
  • Students who receive a “Pass” or “High Pass” in the Internal Medicine Clerkship must take a four-week Internal Medicine elective prior to taking their sub-internship.
  • It is strongly recommended that students take the Externship in Outpatient Medicine or enroll in an outpatient specialty elective prior to graduation. Outpatient experience is important since one third of Internal Medicine residency training and most of medical practice occurs in the outpatient setting.
  • It is strongly recommended students take an Intensive Care Unit elective prior to graduation to gain experience in caring for critically ill patients.
  • Students should have taken and passed Step 1 and Step 2 prior to submitting an application for residency.
  • The Department of Medicine will write a Chair’s letter for each student applying in Internal Medicine. Students should obtain two to three additional letters from individual faculty members with whom they have worked clinically or in scholarship or service activities.
  • Internal Medicine residency programs are looking for diversity in their applicants. Applicants must distinguish themselves either through participation in original research, community service, or leadership activities.
  • Students should set up a meeting with a member of the advising team in July or August prior to submitting their applications. At this meeting, the following information will be reviewed: transcript components, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and research, personal statement, and program list and signaling.