Electives: International Student Guidelines *
***We have met our yearly maximum application limit and are no longer accepting applications for the academic year 2012 - 2013. ***
*Request for electives from international medical students are restricted to those schools with which University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) has an established exchange program. Please contact Dr. Godkin (774) 442-3719 or his Assistant Sherrie Carey at (774) 442-4028 or Sherrie.Carey@umassmed.edu to find out if we have an existing exchange agreement with your school and for consideration of your application.
GENERAL ELECTIVE INFORMATION: UMass will begin accepting applications for the next academic year on April 1st; however, applications will not be considered until May 1st. Priority in scheduling electives is given to UMass students until May 1st each academic year. The Umass International Medical Education Program will begin processing applications on a rolling basis 3 months before the start date of the elective.
Applications without prior authorization from the International Medical Education Program will not be considered. - International students may apply for a large number of Type B or Type C electives if all prerequisites are met.
- Type A electives are not offered to International students.
- Electives are not offered May through August.
- Electives Only Offered to UMass Students are specified in the ‘Electives List’ descriptions and are listed under 'Various Department Based'.
- Application(s) must be received at least three months prior to the start date of the elective.
- A completed application form must be submitted for each elective or change to a previously approved elective.
- A maximum of 8 weeks (4 consecutive weeks per elective) is allowed per student per academic year.
- Elective applications must be processed and approved through the International Medical Education Program to receive credit. Verbal communications with individuals or departments does not constitute acceptance of an elective.
APPLICATION CRITERIA:
- Students must be in their FINAL clinical year of medical school.
- Students complete section 1 and 2 of the UMMS International Visiting Student Elective Application Form.
- Have your dean's office or authorized school official complete section 3 for certification of good standing, etc.
- All documentation must be in English [can be translated by a certified translator].
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY ELECTIVE, THE FOLLOWING MUST BE RECEIVED:
- Completed UMMS International Elective Application certified with official school seal or stamp for each elective requested.
- Two letters of recommendation: one from the Dean/Registrar of your home school, one from a professor / preceptor.
- A $500 non-refundable administrative fee is assessed for each approved four-week elective. Payment should be made payable to: "UMMS Electives" and must be in the form of a cashier's check or money order drawn on a US bank. The administrative fee must be received with in [ 10 ] days of the International Medical Education Program's elective confirmation .
- Transcripts in English with your school seal; transcripts in a foreign language will be returned for translation.
- Proof in English of Malpractice or Professional Liability insurance. If your school does not provide insurance, you can purchase it through UMass Memorial Health Care for $50. If insurance is needed, please request an Insurance Registration Form. You will need to provide a separate cashier’s check or money order drawn on a US bank made payable to UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. before the insurance can be secured for you.
- Proof in English of health insurance coverage, including coverage for emergency evacuation, or repatriation of remains in event of death.
- Complete in English the UMMS Immunization Form and include your lab reports, documenting proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella/Chicken Pox, and Hepatitis B. Also, include an updated tuberculosis skin test within 1 year of elective start date.
- Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL - total score of at least 93 with a minimum 24 for speaking).
- Verification of HIPAA and OSHA certified training (provided in Dean’s Letter or trained by UMMS prior to start of elective).
- Copy of Curriculum Vitae
- Two passport photos (both photos must be certified with official school seal or stamp on the back)
MAIL ALL COMPLETED FORMS TO: Michael A. Godkin, Ph.D., Director, International Medical Education /Department of Family Medicine and Community Health/ Benedict Building/ Room A3-213 /UMass Medical School /55 Lake Avenue North/Worcester, MA 01655-0002
IF YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED
You will be sent an email confirmation containing information detailing your approved elective. In addition, you may request a letter from Dr. Michael Godkin approving your International Visiting Student Elective for Visa authorization.
You are required to bring a short white lab coat, stethoscope and medical student I.D. badge to each rotation.
IF YOUR APPLICATION WAS NOT APPROVED
We make every effort to accommodate elective requests; however, there are occasions when applications cannot be honored. If your elective was not approved, you will be notified by e-mail with an explanation of why your application was denied.
EVALUATION FORMS
Bring your school's
Evaluation Form and give it directly to the coordinator of your approved elective. The International Medical Education Program does not handle evaluations.
The International Medical Education Program does not handle evaluations.
CANCELATIONS OR ELECTIVE CHANGES
If you are unable to report to your approved elective, you must e-mail Sherrie Carey [
Sherrie.Carey@umassmed.edu ] at least 1 month prior to the start date of the elective.
If 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. On rare occasions, a student may need to request a change to their schedule. UMMS's policy regarding scheduling changes is the request must be received in writing via email to: Sherrie.Carey@umassmed.edu at least ONE month prior to the start date of the elective with a valid reason for the request noted. A complete UMMS application form must accompany each elective change. All changes are by mutual consent only. If the request cannot be granted, the student is expected to honor their initial commitment or receive a failing grade for the elective.
HOUSING
UMMS does not provide housing; however, we may have information on available sublets. If you would like a copy of this information, please e-mail
Sherrie.Carey@umassmed.edu. Please note, UMMS does not endorse or verify information on sublets. This information is provided as a courtesy only.
VISA INFORMATION
If accepted for an elective, you must request entrance to the U.S. as a B-1 Visitor for Business or WB Waiver for Business depending on your country of citizenship. Please see the UMMS International Students and Scholars (ISSO) website at: http://www.umassmed.edu/hr/index.aspx for more information. Note: It is not appropriate to enter the U.S. as a B-2 Tourist or WT Waiver for Tourist for this affiliation.
A letter to present at the consulate in your home country and/or at the point of entry to the U.S. will be enclosed with the approval information. If J-1 non-degree visa is required / preferred, you will have to meet additional requirements.
We will work with the International Students and Scholar’s Office to obtain the appropriate documentation if this is necessary.
rev. LD 12/03/09 -- rev. LD 04/05/10 -- rev. 04/28/09 -- rev. jmr 02/25/11 rev. jmr 4/27/11 Rev. jmr 5/25/11 Rev. jmr 01/18/12, Rev. jmr 3/30/12, rev jmr 4/30/12