Visiting Elective Scholarship Program

The Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP) supported by the Department of Emergency Medicine was established to encourage fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to apply for the UCSF Emergency Medicine rotation (EM 140.01). The scholarship program provides up to $2,000 for each recipient.

The scholarship program is designed to:

  • Expose fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to an academic emergency medicine training program
  • Promote student interest in applying to an emergency medicine residency training program

The clinical emergency medicine rotation at UCSF is four weeks in length and is available, space permitting, to U.S. visiting medical students.  Three weeks of the clinical rotation is located at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in San Francisco.  One week of the rotation is at UCSF Medical Center, a nationally recognized tertiary care hospital.  In addition to required rotation didactic sessions, clerkship participants have the opportunity to attend UCSF EM residency conference sessions and grand rounds. VESP participation is not affiliated with the emergency medicine residency match program and participation in the scholarship program does not guarantee a residency program spot.

 

ELIGIBILITY

  • Fourth year U.S. visiting medical students whose racial or ethnic identities are underrepresented in medicine, students who identify as LGBTQ, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, and/or students from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g. family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds).
  • Student must be in good academic standing at an accredited U.S. medical school
  • Requirements for the UCSF School of Medicine’s clinical electives must also be met:
    • 4th year standing
    • Completion of core clerkships in Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and OB/Gyn

 

SELECTION

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of:

  • Academic achievement (as indicated by transcripts, etc.)
  • Leadership experience
  • Interest in serving underserved populations

*Funds are awarded upon completion of the elective and receipts must be submitted for reimbursement. Scholarships are to be used toward visiting student elective fees, transportation costs, and lodging.

 

APPLICATION

  1. Completed VESP application 
  2. Completed VSAS/VSLO application to the UCSF Emergency Medicine Clerkship (EM 140.01):

 

Applications will be considered ONLY for the following clerkship blocks:

  • June 5 - July 2, 2023
  • July 3 - July 30, 2023
  • July 31 - August 27, 2023
  • September 4 - October 1, 2023
  • October 2 - October 29, 2023

 

DEADLINE

Scholarship applications must be received by April 27, 2023. VESP recipients will be announced by May 5, 2023.  If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact Sandra Lieu and Corey Carpenter.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

UCSF Department of Emergency Medicine's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Website

UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach