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Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP)

Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP) for Department of Radiation Medicine Elective

Fourth-year medical students from U.S. schools may choose to take an away rotation at UC San Diego School of Medicine, especially if they are interested in learning more about our UC San Diego Radiation Medicine Residency program. The Visiting Elective Program provides support for fourth-year students who are underrepresented in medicine and/or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship program provides up to $2,000 and is designed to:

  • Expose fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine or interested in working with underserved populations to an academic training program.
  • Promote student interest in applying to an academic residency training program.
  • Provide faculty and resident mentorship during the clinical elective experience.

Eligibility

Eligible participants are full-time, fourth-year medical students in good standing at accredited U.S. medical schools. Students remain registered at their own schools while participating in the four-week elective at UC San Diego. Students must have applied and be accepted to the desired UC San Diego Department of Radiation Medicine’s clinical elective program through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) before the scholarship is processed, and eligible students need to participate in a Department of Radiation Medicine clerkship.

Application

Before applying to the scholarship, each student must complete an application form through the American Association of Medical Colleges’ Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO)'s Online Application. For more information, please visit the UCSD's Visiting Student webpage. To apply for the scholarship, please send a completed application (link below) and a current transcript with grades to Jessica Bazo (jlbazo@health.ucsd.edu). Applications will be reviewed once all required documents are received.

Selection

Scholarships (up to $2,000 each*, to be used toward visiting student elective fees, transportation costs and lodging) will be awarded for the 4-week elective on the basis of:

  • Interest in pursuing a career in academic medicine
  • Interest in working with underserved populations
  • Leadership
  • Community service
  • Academic achievement as indicated by transcripts and letter of recommendation

*Funds are awarded upon completion of the elective. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.

Deadline: The scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis between July - December.

For further information, please contact:
James Murphy, MD
j2murphy@health.ucsd.edu