The University of New Mexico School of Medicine welcomes visiting medical students to participate in final year elective clerkships. Clerkships for visiting students are coordinated by the Office of Medical Student Affairs.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS:
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine requires all visiting to students to meet the same standards expected of our own students. Medical students are eligible to participate in our program if they meet the following criteria, students must:
Be a current medical student in the final year of medical school.
Be in good academic standing at his/her medical school.
Be enrolled in an LCME or AACOM accredited medical school (US Students Only)
Have completed core clinical clerkships in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Neurology, Psychiatry and General Surgery.
Provide proof of a passing score on USMLE Step 1 (or Comlex for DO Students). USMLE Transcript or a letter from your school verifying your 3 digit score will suffice.
Provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $1 million per occurrence.
Complete a UNM provided Immunization Form.
Provide proof of personal health insurance coverage.
Submit a CV and letter of intent.
Submit a transcript
Meet individual departmental requirements.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
Students from International Medical Schools may participate in our program. Students from "Off Shore" and Caribbean Schools are considered International Students regardless of citizenship. In addition to meeting the above requirements for visiting students, international students must also:
Secure a University of New Mexico School of Medicine Faculty Sponsor and include a letter from this sponsor with the application. Medical Student Affairs does not assist students in securing a sponsor.
Provide proof of proficiency in the English language
International students must pay tuition for any rotations beyond their first four weeks. The amount is $1,749.50 per 4 week block. This amount is due after clerkship approval and no less than 60 days prior to the start of the clerkship.
Caribbean / "Off Shore" Applicants must be current New Mexico residents for their application to be considered. You must submit a copy of your current NM Driver's License. If a PO Box is listed, you must submit proof of a physical address. For a list of other acceptable documents please contact Medical Student Affairs.
Students are considered an International Student if their training, including the basic sciences, occurred at a school outside of the United States.
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Some departments have additional requirements other than those listed above. If you apply to one of these departments, you must also meet these supplemental requirements in order to be considered. If a department is not listed, only the basic requirements apply.
OB/GYN
Proof of passing score on USMLE Step 1, 190 or higher
Must be a student at a US School (No International Students)
Phase II (Clerkship Year) GPA must be 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Do you accept International Medical Graduates
(IMGs)?
No. The Office of Medical Student Affairs does not coordinate experiences for IMGs. If you are an International Medical Graduate, obtained an MD or DO degree and have an US social security number, you may be able to coordinate an experience through UNM's Office of Graduate Medical Education.
How do I apply?
Application Process for students attending an LCME
accredited
school and Osteopathic Student Attending a AACOM accredited school.
If you attend an LCME or AACOM accredited school, you are required to apply using the Visiting Student Application System (VSAS).
The VSAS online application program is coordinated by the AAMC. We will not accept applications outside the system.
For information visit
http://www.aamc.org/programs/vsas/
Application process
International Students.
International students must submit a completed paper application. Incomplete applications will not be processed. International applications must be submitted 60 days prior to requested start date.
To download a paper application packet, click here.
We are not currently accepting applications.
We will begin accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year on April 1.
Students are eligible to apply for clerkships beginning in June and running through the following March. UNM students receive scheduling preference and visiting student applications are not accepted for the first two blocks of the academic year (generally this means April-May). Applications must be submitted 45/60 days prior to requested start date.
We are not currently accepting applications.
We will begin accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year on April 1.
When can I apply? When will you process
applications?
Applications must be received at least 45 days prior to the start date of the first requested clerkship (60 days prior for international students). No exceptions.
Faxed or emailed applications are not accepted.
Incomplete applications and/or applications received within the 45/60 day window will be returned to the applicant.
It will normally takes 14-21 business days for an application to be processed.
An acceptance letter is sent only after approved clerkship assignments have been made and all required documents have been received.
Please keep in mind, applications are reviewed/approved based on merit. Applications are not be processed "first come, first served." Applications will be reviewed/processed weekly.
What rotations are available?
Available clerkships are listed in the UNM Phase III Clerkship Catalog. Please read carefully. The catalog indicates whether visiting students are accepted for a rotation. Redacted information is also available in VSAS.
I would like to complete
core (3rd year) clerkship rotations at UNM. Is this possible?
No, we do not accept students for 3rd year core clerkships. You must be in your final year of school and have completed all the core clerkships to be eligible for our program.
How do I obtain verification for a visiting clerkship I previously completed?
Clerkships are taken for credit at a student's home school only. Credit is not granted by UNM and therefore, UNM cannot provide verification of clerkships and does not maintain visiting student records beyond 1 year past the date of attendance.
Can you help with visa status/information?
No, our office does not assist with securing a visa. Please contact UNM's Office of International Programs at http://www.unm.edu/~oips/ for more information.
Can you confirm there are spots available for the rotation/dates I want?
Medical Student Affairs is unable to confirm whether there are spots available for certain rotations and time. Please submit an application and a determination will be made at that time.
Are there any fees or tuition for this program?
Yes. All students must submit a $125 processing fee. If you are scheduled into a clerkship, this fee is non-refundable.
Visiting students are required to purchase Blood and Body Fluid/Needlestick Insurance to cover costs associated with treatment in the event of an academic-related exposure. Coverage is effective during the period of rotation at UNM. The cost is $30.
These fees are mandatory and apply to all visiting students, regardless of time spent in the hospital, OR, etc.
International students must pay tuition for any rotations beyond their first four weeks. The amount is $1,749.50 per 4 week block. This amount is due after clerkship approval and no less than 60 days prior to the start of the clerkship.
Students may not switch their courses/dates once approved. If a switch is absolutely necessary, a $20 course change fee applies.
All fees are non-refundable.
How many rotations can I complete?
Visiting students will be scheduled for a maximum of two rotations totaling no more than 8 weeks.
My clerkship dates don’t match up with UNM’s. What
should I do?
We prefer that you complete rotations on UNM's schedule.
Can I change my rotation
dates once I've been accepted?
Changing rotation dates after an acceptance offer has been made is very difficult. Please apply with the dates you intend to come. A request to change dates also requires a $20 course change fee.
Is there required training prior to my arrival?
Visiting students are required to complete certain
online training courses. After a visiting student is accepted into a
clerkship and prior to arriving in
Do I need to complete the immunization form, or can
I just send a form from my school/personal records?
You must complete the UNM issued immunization form. Do not send a form from your school and do not send personal immunization records. There are no exceptions.
If you have questions regarding our immunization form, please contact the Student Health Center at 505-277-3136. Medical Student Affairs is not able to answer questions relating to health records.
I’ve submitted my application and have not heard
back, what’s going on?
From the date applications are received it generally takes 14-21 business days to receive approval. Please be patient. We are unable to expedite or fast track applications. Please plan your schedule and submit your application accordingly. Remember, an incomplete application can delay processing, so be sure to submit all the required paperwork.
I’m an international student and require a Faculty
Sponsor. What should I do?
Faculty sponsors are required for international students. They serve as a mentor while the student is rotating at UNM. Most international applicants have been recommended to UNM’s programs by a faculty member, and choose that person as their sponsor. The sponsor must submit a letter or email to the Office of Medical Student Affairs confirming their commitment to be a sponsor. MEDICAL STUDENT AFFAIRS DOES NOT ASSIST IN SECURING FACULTY SPONSORS.
I’m an international student. Is USMLE Step 1 really
required?
Proof of a passing score on Step 1 is required to be eligible for our program. No exceptions. Proof from your school that you have passed the basic science curriculum will not be accepted in lieu of a Step 1 score.
I’m interested in residency at UNM and would like a
recommendation on which clerkships provide the best “audition” experiences.
The Office of Medical Student Affairs cannot make recommendations as to which rotations serve as good “audition” rotations. Please refer to the Phase III catalog.
My school doesn’t provide $1 million in malpractice
coverage. Can I purchase coverage through UNM?
No. We are unable to provide coverage for visiting students (both domestic and international). You must secure coverage on your own. Check with your school’s Office of Student Affairs to see what kind of programs they may offer. Many schools offer the option to upgrade coverage for away rotations.
Does UNM provide housing for accepted visiting
students?
No. Housing, meals, transportation, etc. is entirely the student’s responsibility. As a visiting student you are not eligible for housing in UNM dorms. The Office of Medical Student Affairs keeps a list of short-term housing options which is sent upon request. Most options range from $350-$600 a month.
What if I need to cancel my rotation?
All cancellations should be made in writing to the Office of Medical Student Affairs either through mail or email. Notification of cancellation must be received at least 45 days prior to the start date of the clerkship. If notification is not received, the student's school will be contacted. Fees are non-refundable.
Who should I contact if I still have questions?
Please email the Office of Medical Student Affairs. Our office makes every effort to process applications in a timely manner. While applicants are welcome to check on their application status, we respectfully ask that repeated emails/inquiries be kept to a minimum. Disrespectful and unprofessional inquiries will not be tolerated.
This information was last updated on 1/20/12
