Selection Criteria
We employ a holistic review process to identify qualified candidates who are prepared to understand and address the unique challenges facing our West Philadelphia community. Applicants who are invited to interview generally exhibit:
- Strong clinical skills
- Excellence in clinical rotations in settings comparable to ours
- Solid fund of medical knowledge
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Commitment to health equity and social justice
- Interest in full-spectrum family medicine
- Passion for clinical areas prioritized in our training program
We seek candidates who not only recognize health inequities and social injustices, however, are also dedicated to implementing actionable solutions to drive meaningful change.
We seek candidates with diverse interests, backgrounds, and life experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions.
We recognize that societal forces of oppression often adversely impact applicants who are underrepresented in medicine. We invite applicants to share any personal, familial or structural barriers that have impacted their trajectory towards becoming a physician in their Personal Statement and/or their Impactful Experience so that we may better understand your lived experiences.
As a result of years of intentional efforts to create a supportive and affirming training environment for members of underrepresented groups, we have seen our residency program become increasingly diverse and more concordant with the community we serve.
We continue to work actively to cultivate greater diversity among our faculty.
Application Requirements
To be considered for an interview, applicants must submit all of the following materials:
- ERAS Common Application
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
- Medical School Transcript
- USMLE Transcript
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- ECFMG Certificate (if graduate of non-US school)
We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or age. We also do not discriminate against applicants based on disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions.
Our program accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Our program sponsors J1 visas.
Visiting Penn for an Interview
Invitations to interview are extended by email after review of application materials. In order to allow time for a complete and holistic review of our applicant pool, we will not offer any interviews until the week of October 20th, 2025.
As an action for equity and to decrease financial impact, our interviews will be conducted in a virtual format.
Candidates wishing to explore other aspects of our program can arrange to do so by attending a pre-application virtual information session, or by contacting our Academic Manager Darcy MacDonald at fampract@pennmedicine.upenn.edu for more information. Additional details for contacting individual residents and faculty will be provided on the interview day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many positions does Penn expect to offer?
We expect to offer twelve (12) spots for the year ahead.
Are there USMLE score requirements for Penn?
In order for an application to be considered, we require that applicants Pass USMLE Step 1, and all applicants should have their USMLE Step 2 CS & CK passed prior to submitting their match list in February/March.
Does Penn have a requirement in terms of year of graduation?
You must have graduated from medical school within 2 years of application to be considered for an interview.
Does Penn accept Osteopathic applicants?
Penn does accept osteopathic applicants, however, Penn does not have Osteopathic Recognition (OR). Because Penn does not look at COMLEX, all applicants should have their USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (CS & CK) passed prior to submitting their match list in February/March.
Does the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Penn offer any observership positions?
We are not able to accommodate observerships at this time.
Residency Address
Darcy MacDonald
Academic Manager
fampract@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
3737 Market Street, 9th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104