ELECTIVE INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS

GUIDELINES:  The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) only accepts requests for electives from students at other schools of medicine with whom we have an established exchange program.  When a student is approved for an elective at UMMS, it is expected that the student will honor that commitment for the entire duration of the elective.  It is required that all visiting students must be covered by malpractice or professional liability insurance as well as health insurance.  A maximum of 8 weeks (4 per elective) is allowed per student per academic year. 

Priority in scheduling electives is given to UMMS students up until May 1st of each academic year.  After this date, electives are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis for either UMMS students or students from other accredited schools of medicine.  A new application form must be submitted for each elective or for any changes in dates of electives that have already been approved.   Incomplete applications will be returned to the student.

Applications, immunization forms and descriptions of all electives available at UMMS and our affiliated hospitals can be found on our website:  http://www.umassmed.edu/studentaffairs/electives .  Only Type B or C electives are available to foreign medical students. 

DEADLINE / FEE:  Applications must be received at least two months prior to the proposed date of elective.  A non-refundable application processing fee of  $65.00 per four week elective must accompany your application .  Check or money order must be drawn on a US bank and should be made payable to: University of Massachusetts Medical School.

APPLICATION CRITERIA:  Students must be in their final clinical year of medical school.  Complete section I and give it to your appropriate school official for certification of good academic standing, health and malpractice or professional liability insurance coverage and the placement of you school seal over a recent photograph of yourself. 

Please Include:
*Two Letters of Recommendation (one from the Dean/Registrar to include Step 1 Score and one from professor/other)
*An Application processing fee of $65.00 per 4 week elective.
*Transcript with your school seal.
*Proof in English of Malpractice or Professional Liability insurance
  (Certificate of insurance in a foreign language will NOT be accepted.)
*Proof in English of Health insurance coverage, including coverage for emergency evacuation,or repatriation of remains in event of death.
  (Certificate of insurance in a foreign language will NOT be accepted.)
*Proof of Immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus/Diphtheria Booster, Hepatitis B,
  updated TB)
*Proof of proficiency in English (score greater than  600 on Test of English as a Foreign
  Language)
*Verification of HIPAA Certification (provide in Letter of Good Standing from Dean or be
  trained by UMASS)
*Verification of OSHA Certification (provide in Letter of Good Standing from Dean or be trained by UMass.
*Copy of Curriculum Vitae
*Sumbit two Passport photos

UMMS will not approve any elective without "all" above instructions / credentials being met. 

*Please note that you should only expect to begin an elective if you have received a notice of approval and have met all the above requirements.

HOUSING /MISCELLANEOUS:  UMMS does not provide housing for visiting students.  Please remember to bring your own short white lab coat and medical student I.D. Badge .  They are required in the hospital.

ELECTIVE EVALUATIONS:  It is the responsibility of the visiting student to hand carry or have their medical school send an elective evaluation form to the Coordinator of the approved elective.

APPLICATION APPROVED:  If you have been approved to do an elective at UMMS or one of our affiliatedhospitals, you will receive a copy of your application form with the name of the approved elective, the contact person you should report to and the time period the elective is approved for.  Verbal communications with individual departments does not constitute acceptance to any elective.  You are not approved for any elective without the approved copy of your application form.

If you are unable to report to your approved elective or have any questions about this application process please contact: Mick Godkin michael.godkin@umassmed.edu  or TJ Roy teresa.roy@umassmed.edu 

APPLICATION NOT APPROVED:  If you have not been approved for an elective you will receive a copy of your application accompanied by a letter explaining the reason the elective was not approved.

MAIL ALL ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS TO: Michael A. Godkin, Ph.D.
                                                        Director, International Medical Education
                                                        Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
                                                        UMass Medical School
                                                        Benedict Building, Room A3-213
                                                        55 Lake Avenue, North
                                                        Worcester, Ma 01655


  Revised 05/26/05