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MD Program

Application Process

Overview

Applications to UNC’s Visiting Student Program are accepted on a semester/term basis. MD and DO students from domestic medical schools are invited to apply through the AAMC’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) Program.

We recommend that you submit more than one elective request with your application. If your first elective request is denied, we may be able to grant acceptance for an alternate elective request. But we will only place you in an elective and block for which you have submitted an elective request. If you wish to be considered for an alternative elective or month, please submit separate elective requests for each month and course.

Application Process

The Academic Calendar is split into the 2 terms; Spring (March to June), and Fall (July to December). Each term will have a dedicated Application, Decision, and Notification/Scheduling Cycle associated with it. Ensure that you are submitting your application during the appropriate cycle. Also, be sure to review the Application Materials listed below.

Application Cycle

March through April

Note: Applications will not be reviewed during these dates, so there is no incentive for applying early. Be sure to submit your application before the final day of the cycle as late applications will not be considered.

Decision Cycle

After the application cycle, UNC will spend one (1) month reviewing applications for acceptance and generating the scheduling for the term.

Students will assigned a statuses of either:

  • Accepted: Students are fully accepted to the program and will be added to the schedule based on course availability and student preference.
  • Denied: Students have not been accepted into the program and will not be scheduled for a rotation during the current term.

Notification/Scheduling Cycle

April through May

Once the Decision Cycle has concluded, Students who have been accepted will receive offers for scheduling rotations.

Denied students cannot be scheduled for the current term for which they received the denial but are welcome to apply for other terms as long as they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Application Materials

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Current medical school transcript
  • USMLE Step 1, COMLEX-USA Level 1 or equivalent exams (see above) score transcript
  • Letter(s) of recommendation from a faculty member(s) at your home medical school or from faculty/physician(s) who have observed you during other clinical visiting electives.
    • Letters should include relevant examples of the applicant’s clinical knowledge and abilities
    • Letters should demonstrate the student’s competency with a clinical environment and showcase a commitment to learning.
    • Letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead and dated/signed.
    • Domestic students must upload 1 letter. International students must upload 2 letters.
  • Personal Statement In a brief statement (one single-line page, 12-point font), please address:
    • Your personal growth in medicine since starting medical school
    • Your educational and professional interest in UNC School of Medicine
  • Elective/Departmental/Campus Specific Requirements
    • The University of North Carolina School of Medicine prides itself on the ability to offer a variety of clinical areas for potential 4th-year electives. While the Visiting Student Program has a general set of requirements for acceptance, some departments, individual electives, and campus locations require extra materials (personal statements, Step scores, etc.) to be included with the application to be considered for scheduling.