Mustafa Sahin shows a neurology scan to child on a computer monitor
Mustafa Sahin, MD, PhD, Department Chief

We receive many applications and conduct a holistic review of each applicant in collaboration with our Pediatrics partner programs. This process is time intensive. In accordance with national Pediatrics specialty guidance, we will not send out interview invitations prior to October 6, 2026; however, a substantial portion of interview invitations are likely to be sent after. We will not release more invitations than interview spots available. The timing of an interview invitation does not reflect an applicant’s priority.

To ensure an equitable process for all applicants, and in accordance with national consensus recommendations, the Boston Children’s Hospital Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Training Programs will hold all recruitment activities virtually. We are committed to providing applicants with extensive opportunities to get to know our residents, our faculty, and our facility.

The Department of Neurology trains seven new child neurology residents and at least one neurodevelopmental disabilities resident each year.

In the 2027 Match, incoming residents can apply for the following types of positions:

  • A Combined Neurology and Pediatrics Residency, also known as the Categorical Program (six positions, NRMP program code 1259185C0): this program includes a two-year general pediatrics residency in the Boston Combined Residency Program (BCRP) and a three-year child neurology residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. The general pediatrics residency is done through the Boston Combined Residency Program at Boston Children’s Hospital/Boston Medical Center. Application review and interviews will be conducted by both the BCRP and Child Neurology programs to provide the applicants a holistic experience to learn about the outstanding pediatrics and child neurology training experiences here at Boston Children’s.
  • We offer a second option for Boston Children’s Child Neurology applicants, with a two-year general pediatrics training at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (MFCH) at Westchester Medical Center (one position, NRMP Code MFCH 1259185A0; Prelim 2157320P2) . Candidates pursuing this option must submit an application separately to MFCH. About MFCH: MFCH is the only pediatric referral center between New York City and Albany, and is the premier tertiary care center for the children of the Hudson Valley. Located a few miles north of New York City, it serves a large, diverse catchment area that includes urban, suburban, and rural environments, and children from every background imaginable. MFCH has trained residents as part of the American Board of Pediatrics Child Neurology Pathway for many years and is excited to partner with Boston Children’s Hospital to create a single pathway. Learn more at this link.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Categorical Position (one position, NRMP program code NDD: 1259186A0 and Baystate: 1286320P1 ): includes a two-year general pediatrics residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., and a four-year NDD residency at Boston Children’s. Note: If you choose this option, you must also apply separately to Baystate. Interviews will be conducted by both programs in order for applicants to learn about the advantages and opportunities in training at both sites.

Matching

Matching will be done through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Your completed application will be forwarded to the Child Neurology Residency Selection Committee for review. Categorical child neurology or neurodevelopmental disabilities candidates will also spend a day interviewing with program leadership at the BCRP or Baystate respectively. The matches will be simultaneous with the general pediatrics match.

Interviews

In the 2027 Match, in accordance with national consensus recommendations, all interviews will be conducted virtually. About 30 to 40 candidates will be invited to interview by the Resident Selection Committee and will have opportunities to meet virtually with several clinical and research faculty, as well as current neurology residents. Recruitment activities will include recorded informational videos, an orientation session with our chief residents, a series of interviews, Q&As with residency program leaders, and opportunities to interact formally and informally with our faculty and our neurology residents.

If you are invited for an interview, we will try to arrange for you to meet with clinicians or researchers in your area of interest. For MD/PhD applicants and those with significant research background and interest, we will work with the Boston Combined Residency Program to arrange additional sessions to meet with scientists in specific fields of interest and discuss research and fellowship opportunities at Boston Children’s and Harvard Medical School. Please let us know if there is anyone you would like us to schedule you to meet.

Our application review process takes approximately six weeks from date on which we receive applications, and interview invitations are sent once review is completed. Please note that applicants from the same school may be invited at different times. We expect to have issued all this year’s interview invitations by mid November 2026. We will let applicants know if they will not be interviewed by that date. We receive late applications after the deadline, but interviews are only rarely granted to those who apply late unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case please alert us by email.

PhD Applicants will be asked to attend a second, research focused interview day.

As some dates are customized for specific interviewees (e.g., research-oriented applicants, neurodevelopmental disabilities), you may receive an interview invitation to a specific date. Certainly, if that date doesn’t work for you, just let us know, and we will find an alternative. Our policy is that we do not send more invitations to interview than we have interview slots available. We do not read applications in any systematic order, and we issue invitations for interviews when enough applicant information is available for us to decide.

For specific questions about the child neurology residency, please contact the residency program director, Miya Bernson-Leung, MD, EdM, at miya.bernson-leung@childrens.harvard.edu.

For specific questions about the neurodevelopmental disabilities residency, please contact the residency program director, Elizabeth Barkoudah, MD, at elizabeth.barkoudah@childrens.harvard.edu.

For general questions about the application process, please contact Stephanie Hansbury at 617-355-7819 or stephanie.hansbury@childrens.harvard.edu.