Electives Policy

Background

Electives are designed to allow medical students the opportunity to explore a variety of specialties not typically offered in the traditional MS3 clerkships (foundational electives) or to pursue a specific specialty at a higher level (advanced electives) in order to be better prepared for residency training.  In addition, electives provide an opportunity for students to study areas of medicine for which they may never receive formal instruction so as to allow for a broad medical education. The following  policy applies to the electives at VCU School of Medicine.

Policy

Guidelines

Objectives

  1. To encourage further development of basic science interest.
  2. To provide an opportunity for intensive development in a specific area of clinical interest.
  3. To extend the understanding of medical practice by exposure to medical care programs both in the United States and abroad.
  4. To provide an opportunity to stimulate further in-depth study of elective programs already initiated by the student.

Guideline Policies

Catalog

Please click link below to visit the M4 Electives Catalog

M4 Electives Catalog

Visiting Students

Opportunities

VCU School of Medicine uses VSAS, the Visiting Student Application Service, to receive visiting student applications. Applications must be submitted through VSAS. To apply, please complete and submit a VSAS application for the preferred electives and dates.

VCU School of Medicine students have first priority for elective experiences; visiting medical students from other US accredited schools are then considered. Due to the recent increase in class size, the VCU School of Medicine is no longer able to accept applications from international medical students.

In addition to completing the VSAS application, the School of Medicine requires the following information in order for your application to be complete:

  • Recent picture
  • Dean's Letter of good standing
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Proof of passing USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Exam (no exceptions)
  • Proof of HIPAA training
  • Proof of health insurance (a copy of your health insurance card will suffice)
  • Current transcript
  • Completion of the VCU immunization form (VCU Health Sciences Certificate of Immunization)
  • Letter of recommendation (optional)

For more information on visiting student electives, please contact Hayley Mathews at hayley.mathews@vcuhealth.org or (804) 828-9798.

For more information on VSAS, please visit www.aamc.org/vsas

International Students Policy

VCU School of Medicine is not accepting applications from international medical students for elective experiences. If there is any change, this website will be updated.

VCU School of Medicine is not accepting applications from international medical students for elective experiences. If there is any change, this website will be updated.