Medical Student Information

Prospective applicants and rotating medical students

Whether you are a current or prospective student at the University of Pittsburgh SOM or a visiting medical student researching elective rotations, we hope you find the content on this page useful.
For students interested in rotating with the Department of Urology, please visit the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs.
- The School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs coordinates all visiting student needs.
- Call or email our program coordinator, Marie Radziak, with additional questions or concerns regarding your application.
  - University of Pittsburgh
    Department of Urology
    3471 Fifth Ave #700
    Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  - thompsonkl2@upmc.edu
  - 412-692-4860

As the only urologic residency program in a large city with 5 university hospitals, including freestanding Children's and Women's hospitals, a Veteran's Hospital, a cancer center, and a busy University hospital, residents have exposure to an outstanding variety of pathology and surgical volume. Basic science and clinical research opportunities are limitless with 6 months of dedicated research time and an array of full time urologic basic science laboratories.
The University of Pittsburgh residency program offers a diverse training experience encompassing every aspect of urology. All urologic subspecialties are covered by expert faculty, most of whom are fellowship trained. We strive to promote patient care and resident education foremost.
Residents rotate through nine to twelve months of general surgery, with critical care (200+ ICU beds) and transplant exposure (Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute) that are second to none. In an era where robotic and minimally invasive surgery has become more and more prevalent, we still offer a very strong experience in major open surgery side-by-side with laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques. Most importantly, our graduating residents are well trained to pursue their future careers, with an exemplary track record of placement in the jobs and fellowships of their choice.

We are looking for medical students with a proven record of outstanding intellectual achievement, manual dexterity, and the ability to work well with colleagues and patients. We believe that one’s accomplishments before and during medical school show what is to come with regard to a career of inquiry and contribution to medical science.

In order to select candidates who best match the above criteria, both the program director and chairman read each application comprehensively. Factors that are strongly considered include USMLE scores, medical school quality and reputation, letters of recommendation (especially those from respected faculty at top programs), and evidence of leadership or outstanding life achievements. However, no one issue makes or breaks our decision to interview or rank a student.

This is an exciting but competitive time to enter the field of urology. We feel that the best students show their interest early on during medical school by actively participating on service and working on a clinical project with a mentor.
Always follow through on the tasks to which you are assigned, but push yourself to think like and take on the responsibilities of those senior to you. One cannot advance through their career in medicine unless they master the tasks and responsibilities of the third year medical student, surgical intern, mid-level resident, etc. However, crucial skills can be adopted along the way by modeling yourself after positive role models.
During the interview season present yourself honestly and show your true personality. Respectfully and tactfully engage with everyone you meet during interview functions, as you never know when you’ll next cross their paths during your career. Most importantly, RELAX! We want to meet the true version of the person we potentially could be working with for the next four to six years.
When making your rank list, remember to consider where you felt the most comfortable with both the residents and the city. Choose programs where you will enjoy living and working. Also consider which programs will provide you the resources to achieve your long term career goals.