The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery participates in ERAS and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Each year, UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery matches seven first-year residents (PGY-1s) to the five-year program and one to a six-year program with one year of dedicated research. All applications are handled through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Application Requirements
- Personal statement
- Dean’s letter
- Medical school transcript
- Three letters of recommendation (one must be a non-orthopaedic letter, such as internal medicine, family medicine, neurology, research, general surgery, or pediatrics)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- USMLE Step I score
Please do not email or mail additional documents directly to the program. All documents must be uploaded through ERAS.
Application Deadline
The 2025–2026 application due date is Friday, October 10, 2025.
Interviews
The 2025–2026 interview dates are Thursday, January 15 and Friday, January 16, 2026.
Please direct any additional questions to our residency program coordinator, Dan Peterson, at Dan.Peterson@ucsf.edu.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a residency position, applicants must have graduated from, or be currently enrolled in the final year at, a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Applicants must be eligible for employment and graduate medical education training in the United States under UCSF GME policies and must have obtained U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa. Applicants must successfully complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step I. Additional USMLE examinations (Step II CK and CS) must be completed in accordance with UCSF GME requirements prior to matriculation.
Selection Criteria
- Applicants must demonstrate the academic foundation and professional readiness required to successfully complete orthopaedic surgery residency training at UCSF. This includes evidence of:
- Foundational medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and patient care skills
- Engagement in research, quality improvement, education, or other scholarly activities that contribute to the advancement of medicine and patient care
- Commitment to compassionate, evidence-based healthcare delivery across diverse populations and systems
- Applicants should exemplify the character, qualities, and potential to advance the field of orthopaedics and musculoskeletal care. In particular, applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- Leadership — the capacity to guide teams, advocate for patients, and contribute to advancement of the field
- Motivation and Drive — perseverance, resilience, and commitment to excellence, reflected in growth, accomplishments, distance traveled, or obstacles overcome
- Scholarly Engagement — participation and productivity in research, quality improvement, education, or other scholarly activities that advance science and patient care
- Commitment to Education — sustained interest in teaching and mentoring peers, students, and patients, and dedication to lifelong learning
- Service and Outreach — meaningful contributions to communities through clinical work, advocacy, volunteerism, or related activities
- Collegiality and Collaboration — the ability to strengthen the residency and UCSF community through teamwork, respect, and inclusivity
Selection and Appointments
The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery selects and appoints residents in accordance with University of California and GME policy and in compliance with all federal and state laws.
It is the policy of UCSF and its affiliated hospitals that programs do not discriminate against qualified applicants based upon gender, ethnicity, race, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other protected categories. We are committed to promoting community, culture, and engagement within all areas of our Department, including our training programs.
The Department only reviews applications received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Applicants are chosen for interviews based upon holistic review of their ERAS application. Selection is based on aptitude, academic accomplishments, communication skills, and personal qualities. Students who complete sub-internships at UCSF are evaluated based on both their ERAS application and their rotation performance as rated by faculty and residents.
Applicants will be notified by email if they are granted an interview. The Program Director chairs the Residency Selection Committee, which is comprised of faculty and chief residents participating in the interview process. After interviews are completed, committee members submit scores to construct a final rank list that is submitted by the Program Director to the NRMP.
The offer of a residency or fellowship position is not final until the UCSF Attestation Statement (UCSF Attestation Statement) has been completed and reviewed. The form requests information relevant to liability, credentialing, and licensure requirements, including malpractice claims, substance abuse, disciplinary action, and criminal convictions or pending charges. All affirmative responses require detailed explanation. An offer may be revoked or revised following review. Discovery of untruthful or misleading answers may result in withdrawal of an offer or disciplinary action. Eligibility is defined in a separate policy.