Introduction:
Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) welcomes medical students interested in applying to our Visiting Student Program. Interested students must be in good standing and their final year of an LCME accredited medical school. Students attending an Osteopathic medical school are eligible to Baystate Medical Center and Maine Medical Center, only. Additionally, all students must be fluent in English. Visiting applicants should refer to the VSAS website.
All students from LCME accredited medical schools will apply for TUSM electives using VSAS. The application process will begin on April 15, 2012. A $75.00 non-refundable processing fee is assessed for each approved rotation.
Students who are interested in participating in Baystate Medical Center programs should refer to their website.
All electives are four weeks in duration and are available to eligible, qualified students, space permitting. Variation of clerkship (off-date scheduling) will not be accommodated. Please note that TUSM requires an official transcript (on official transcript paper, with an accompanying seal), issued by the Registrar.
Visiting students are limited to no more than two (2) four-week rotations (8 weeks in total). While participating at Tufts University School of Medicine, students will retain enrollment at their home institution. Students are not officially enrolled at Tufts University Medical School.
International Students:
Enrollment opportunities for International Medical Students are very limited and granted on a space available basis to highly qualified students from schools where we have a current existing relationship. Subsequently, we cannot guarantee availability or enrollment. Additionally, TUSM and its affiliates do not allow "observerships". Students attending international medical schools, regardless of citizenship, must submit their preliminary application to the Office of International Affairs. A $75.00 non-refundable processing fee is assessed for all applications.
Application Process and Guidelines:
All applicants are required to have the Visiting Student Immunization Form completed and signed by a Health Care Professional. Questions regarding these requirements should be directed to the Student Advisory and Health Administration office.
International medical school applicants will continue to submit their preliminary applications to the Office of International Affairs.
Applications will be reviewed two to three months prior to the requested clerkship, and applications received prior to six months of the start of the rotation will not be considered. International students will be scheduled for Blocks 8-12, only. Please refer to the Fourth Year Calendar for a complete list of Blocks and dates. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Please note: Students will not be scheduled for a rotation if we are unable to determine from the official transcript that all of the prerequisites have been met. Due to the large volume of applicants, phone inquiries regarding availability cannot be addressed.
Once scheduled for a rotation, the assignment is final and no changes will be considered. If you are unable to accept the rotation, we must receive written notification at least 6 weeks in advance. This communication must be sent to the Registrar’s office directly.
Housing:
TUSM does not provide temporary housing for visiting students. Please note that short term housing in and around Greater Boston is difficult to find and expensive. Thus, we urge students to secure accommodations well in advance of their arrival.
Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts has a limited number of housing options available to ex-clerks. These arrangements are on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
Policies and Additional Information:
Visiting students are subject to the same rules and regulations as Tufts medical students. Violation of any school policy may result in immediate withdrawal from the clerkship. School policies are delineated in the Tufts University School of Medicine Student Handbook. Please be sure to also read the Visiting Student Honor Code.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory on all rotations and students are allowed two excused absences for illness, board examinations, etc. Students must, however, obtain permission from the clerkship director for any absence falling outside of the aforementioned excused absences. In addition, all students must make up any missed time, at the convenience of the clerkship director. Should a student become ill, they must communicate that to the clerkship director, informing them that they will not be able to attend the clerkship for that day. In the event that the student cannot reach the clerkship director, the student must contact the Registrar's Office and the Registrar will notify the department.
Dropping a Clerkship:
Clerkships may be dropped up to 6 weeks in advance of the scheduled rotation. Requests must be submitted, in writing and emailed to the Registrar's Office: medical_registrar@tufts.edu.
Thank you for your interest in the Tufts University School of Medicine Visiting Student Program and we look forward to the possibility of having you as an ex-clerk.