In Pediatrics, you can impact the trajectory of a child’s life from newborn to toddler to adolescence and early adulthood. We have broad opportunities, spanning preventative counseling, procedural interventions, subspecialist expertise and community advocacy. Students should consider this specialty if you:

• love working with families, especially children of all ages
• would feel comfortable setting kids up for success in their lifelong health journey
• are interested in navigating unique treatments for young patients 

It is recommended to take electives that focus on disease processes that a student will see a lot of in residency such as Cards, Pulm, Endo and Nephrology. Note that outpatient pediatrics electives are quite different from the inpatient side. We also recommend infectious disease for all specialties. Finally, many students in this path enjoy taking a med/peds outpatient elective.

The main Sub-I that we recommend for this specialty is Pediatrics.

Most students don't do away rotations in Pediatrics due to limited spots. However, it can benefit those interested in specific programs, increasing chances of interviewing and matching there. It's recommended that only students set on matching in a specific geographic area or program do away rotations.

Research and poster presentations can enhance competitiveness in Pediatrics, but they're not necessary for everyone. Residency Directors consider various qualities, including community service, advocacy, and leadership. Quality matters more than quantity, and undergraduate research counts. It doesn't have to be Pediatric-specific.

• General Pediatrics: 3 years
• Med-Peds: 4 years
• Triple Board (Peds, Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry): 5 years

Plan to secure three letters of recommendation: one from a pediatrician, one from a Sub-I level supervisor, and one from a physician familiar with your clinical ability. If you have a research mentor and plan to continue research in residency, consider obtaining a fourth letter from them. Some Pediatric Residency programs may also require a Chair Letter, so be sure to review program application requirements carefully.

• The FREIDA database can help you identify available programs
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website can some useful information
• The AAP also has a good podcast on career development called Pathways to Pediatrics.
  

The mentoring coordinator, Ellia John (eajohn@iu.edu), facilitates connections with available mentors within the department. If a specific mentor is desired, assistance can be provided, although specific faculty availability cannot be guaranteed.

Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2):
During Phase 1, students are encouraged to focus on building a strong foundation in core concepts to facilitate disease management in later phases. Addressing knowledge gaps early can alleviate stress during clerkships. Early participation in patient encounters helps refine history-taking and physical examination skills. Involvement in the Pediatric Student Interest Group and local community events enriches the understanding of pediatrics, irrespective of intended specialty.

Phase 2 & 3 (Years 3 and 4):
For Phase 2 and 3, students are advised to consider scheduling their Pediatric Sub-I early in Year 4 to secure a recommendation letter reflecting clinical readiness for residency. Alternatively, an inpatient Pediatric elective can offer a similar experience. Exploring electives aligned with interests and areas for improvement, such as outpatient Peds Cardiology or Pediatric Diabetology, is recommended. Electives in other specialties, like Child Psychiatry or Global Health rotations, can broaden understanding of pediatrics. The Honors Experience provides in-depth exposure to a sub-specialty through inpatient, outpatient, and research components.