Where I come from, very limited minority take Step 1 before graduation. So Step 1 makes a huge obstacle. I think this is the case also in all parts of the world.
I understand that. But since presumably, for the vast majority of students wishing to do an elective in the US, the ultimate goal is a US residency, they will have to take Step 1 at some point in time. Therefore, my point being that it behooves them to know the expectations and start working on the exam before final year anyway.
Mayo, Cleveland and Feinberg require TOEFL(How ironic since ECFMG doesn't require it!)
A bit strange yes, but I can imagine they've had trouble before.
The thing about AAMC is that they list the university hospitals only, *I think*. So when you check these hospitals they tell you that all contacts should be with the office of registrar and not with the course director or faculty member.
Why do you need the permission of an administrative person to contact someone? And you are right, the AAMC only lists rotations at programs with medical schools. However, there are MANY ACGME (ie "Green Book") programs not affiliated with AAMC schools, which are not on the list. Thus, it is not by any means a comprehensive list.
Many of the university hospitals hold the electives at other affiliated community hospitals. Now, I don't know if these community hospitals offer electives outside the university hospital arrangement, *perhaps they don't*. So basically one would be limited with the university hospitals list which technically includes other non-uni hospitals that aren't listed on the AAMC's list. I don't know how valid my understanding is.
Again, the AAMC only lists programs affiliated with a US allopathic medical school. It does not list any affiliated with an osteopathic school (which may or may not be an option for international allopathic students) or hospitals which have residencies but not medical schools. The goal is to do rotations at hospitals which have ACGME residencies; while many also have medical schools, many, especially community programs, do not.
Baylor charges now around 1000$/month for internationals.
Well, that's gone up a bit in the last 7 years, hasn't it?
Hopkins doesn't accept internationals. Just for the record 😀
They never have. UCSF doesn't either. My point is that just because the web site says they don't accept internationals doesn't mean that they rigorous apply that, or that its even true. I will admit that as a former UCSF student and employee I probably had some pull there, but at Hopkins it was a matter of just asking. Same with UVA...I contacted faculty and asked them to sponsor me for an elective. U of Louisville takes internationals, lots of them...we had German students there for 6 months at a time.
Just curious...Dr Cox, Did you buy a malpractice insurance when you were a student?
No. My school's policy covered me in North America (we basically made them get that because they sold us the program with a lot of promises about helping us get back to the US, including doing electives there, which then required med mal good in the US.) Only Baylor made me purchase their policy and health insurance which beyond the $150 app fee, made the total I paid them around $300 or so.
