Does getting visiting student clerkships depend on GPA?

[medstu123]

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Hello,

I am an MS2 wanting to do a dermatology elective at the end of my MS3 year (my med school allows 1 elective during MS3). I am thinking either Harvard or UCSF, but I want to ask if GPA matters in the application process, or is it just based upon space (first come first serve)?

 

[2012mdc]

Hello,

I am an MS2 wanting to do a dermatology elective at the end of my MS3 year (my med school allows 1 elective during MS3). I am thinking either Harvard or UCSF, but I want to ask if GPA matters in the application process, or is it just based upon space (first come first serve)?

This is just my experience but I recently applied to and was accepted to a rads rotation at UCSF.

They accepted me before my transcript had been uploaded and shortly after I uploaded the required immunization forms. I applied shortly after the new catalog for 2011-2012 was up and it seems that it was a first come first serve deal. I do not know what role if any having AOA on my CV played.

 

[the alchemist]

This is just my experience but I recently applied to and was accepted to a rads rotation at UCSF.

They accepted me before my transcript had been uploaded and shortly after I uploaded the required immunization forms. I applied shortly after the new catalog for 2011-2012 was up and it seems that it was a first come first serve deal. I do not know what role if any having AOA on my CV played.

I know that when I applied to Harvard for a rotation, they required a transcript. And the fact that the previous poster is AOA also would tell you that his/her GPA is high since s/he couldn't have gotten nominated for AOA w/o being ranked in a minimum %ile of his/her class. So my guess is that if they're asking for your transcript, that your GPA does matter if they have limited spots for when and for the specialty you are asking for. But you can always call them up to ask if GPA has any bearing in approving you for a rotation at their hospitals.

 

[Dirt]

You should probably double check but I think every US med school requires you be in your final year of med school for visiting rotations.

 

[cpants]

Can't speak for derm specifically, but in my experience this is school specific. They can require as little or as much as they want. I've seen requirements as little as a letter of good standing from your school and as much as cv, transcript, statement, and multiple letters of recommendation. The vast majority are first come, first serve, with application requirements designed to prove you are a student at an accredited school, you're vaccinated and insured.

 

[plauto]

I just applied to do an away oto rotation (not to a fancy place like Harvard...don't really care about names...) and they asked me for CV and step I report.

 

[DrBowtie]

I've seen lots of step 1 screening.

Also as someone else pointed out you may need to be a 4th year for the away. There is also something to be said about having a "practice" rotation at your home program so you don't get laughed out of the big dog places when you show up clueless.

 

[kirurgilaakari]

You should probably double check but I think every US med school requires you be in your final year of med school for visiting rotations.

Not true. Depends exclusively on the school. You will find that MANY institutions will accept third year electives.