International Student FAQs

Please see Required Documents for Visiting Student Elective Program. Applications must be submitted through AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) website https://students-residents.aamc.org/attending-medical-school/article/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/

No, students are not allowed to re-apply once they have submitted an application and have been declined.

In most cases, applicants are notified no later than 2 months prior to the desired elective rotation.

Four (4) months prior to the desired elective rotation, however, we suggest students submit their applications six (6) months in advance. Applications submitted after the four (4) month deadline will not be considered.

Yes

The School of Medicine does not have a TOEFL code. Please upload a copy of your TOEFL scores through the AAMC VSLO application.

Visiting international students need B-1 Visa status. Please read this document: United States Visa Information.

Unfortunately, you are not eligible if you are a U.S. resident or citizen, attending medical school outside of the U.S. (Please note: Puerto Rico is part of the U.S.)

Unfortunately, the roster is always changing, so we cannot determine what seats are available. We encourage you to apply for the electives you plan to make a career in.

You can find a complete listing of clinical electives offered at YSM on the Medical Education webpage: https://medicine.yale.edu/md-program/curriculum/advancedtraining/clinicalelectives/electivecataloglisting/

Please click on the individual electives to see the full elective descriptions and learning objectives.

No. Students may only take up to three (3) different elective rotations. However, the electives must be in different sub-specialties, the elective may be taken within the same department.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to give this information, as elective schedules can change on a daily and weekly basis.

No. Visiting students must apply for clinical electives in accordance with the Yale rotation schedule.

No, these are clinical electives and do not satisfy core clerkship requirements.

No, applicants must be an active medical student in good academic standing for the entire duration of their elective. Applicants must be returning to their home institution to complete studies.

YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OBSERVERSHIP POLICY:

Due to the impact on patient experience and Yale medical student education, Yale School of Medicine does not allow observerships* (outside of the medical student curriculum) within our clerkship, elective, or sub-internship settings. Faculty may arrange with their department and Yale-New Haven Hospital (or other Yale clinical sites) for individuals to observe in other settings, accompanied by designated faculty members or clinicians, with the department and clinical site being responsible for ensuring that immunizations, infection control, HIPAA training, background checks, and any other site requirements are satisfied. These observers are not covered by YSM malpractice and cannot receive University or student ID's for this purpose. Such observations are generally limited to 5 days. Individuals requesting clinical experiences within our elective and sub-internship settings and teams must apply for an approved clinical rotation through the Office of International Medical Student Education (if attending a medical school outside of the US) or the Office of Student Affairs (if attending a medical school in the US).

*Observerships are periods of time of one or more days in which an individual who is not a Yale student attends patient care team rounds or observes communication with patients, physical examination, and/or procedures in the clinical setting. The observer has no direct communication or physical contact with patients.

The following schools have active affiliation agreements with Yale School of Medicine:

• Instituto Technologico de Santo Domingo
• Makerere University
• Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
• University of Ghana
• University of West Indies
• Xiangya Medical School

There are payable applications fees to the AAMC, however, Yale School of Medicine also charges a processing fee of $200 USD.

The tuition for a four-week clinical elective for students from international schools for Academic Year 22-23 is $4,120 USD. The tuition for eight weeks is $8,240 USD. The tuition for twelve weeks is $12,360 USD. Tuition is subject to increases with every new academic year. This typically happens in July.

Credit Card. Yale will make an exception if credit card payment is not possible. We will accept a certified bank check made out in U.S. dollars to Yale University.

Please bring your passport along with any requested paperwork or required documentation. Students are required to have their physical passport when they arrive for orientation.

The dress code on the wards is professional attire. Men should wear button-down shirts and ties, and women should wear dress pants or skirt. Students can bring a white coat to wear on the wards or purchase a white coat at a nearby bookstore. Please note that in the U.S. medical students wear short white coats – you must have a short white coat, long ones are worn by residents and fellows and will not be permitted for students.

Yes, 80 Hour Work Week Policy: In an effort to address the effects of fatigue and sleep deprivation on learning, patient care and student well-being, Yale Medical School has adopted the following policy for all clerkships and elective rotations:

• We will follow the AGCME duty hours requirements for interns as outlined in YSM's policy: https://medicine.yale.edu/education/ppgg/curriculum/Medical%20Student%20Work%20Hour%20Policy%20_281562_153_35660_v4.pdf
• Work hours are limited to time spent in the hospital caring for patients and attending related educational activities. Calculation of work hours should not include time spent completing write-ups or study time during non-hospital. As an example, a student who comes to the hospital at 7am and stays until 10pm will have 15 hours of work time. A student could then go home and read to prepare for rounds the next day. This time at home reading is not considered part of work hours. In such a case the student would have 10p to 7a duty free (no direct patient care responsibilities or required educational in-hospital activities) before the next duty period.

Yes, Yale’s Office of Global Health Education and Visiting Student Programs does require all international visiting elective students to provide proof they are fully vaccinated. You may apply if you are not fully vaccinated, as long as ypu provide proof of first dose and date of second dose which must be before you arrive at Yale.

Yes, you are required to bring your own double-masked PPE for any activity outside the clinical setting. You will receive specific PPE for clinical activities during your orientation, which will be included in your elective fees. You will be required to use this hospital issued PPE at all times in the clinical setting.

Yes, you must have health insurance which covers any necessary hospitalization or doctor’s visit due to illness or injury. Proof of insurance is a requirement and must be provided before an accepted student will be approved to enter the clinical setting.