Page 1 of 6: FAQ: Applying for Observership/ Externship

tinkerbell · Credits: 8544 My Scrapbook My Reading List 21 Books

Do your homework first :
Obtain a list of programs on FREIDA on the aamc website. Click on individual programs for the email ids if the program coordinators/ directors and the websites of the universities or hospitals.
Check the websites for information about observership/ externships/ short term research projects.
note down the email ids and contact numbers of the coordinators.
prepare your resume/ cv in the american style. the format is available on the usmleweb website.
now write to the PC/PD to enquire about the observership/ externships.

What are the things to ask:
Formally introduce yourself. Mention any exams taken or pending results. Express a desire to match in their program and why you prefer that program over others...a nd that you wish to get some experience before applying for a residency spot.
Also ask if one is required to pay a fee for the same.
What are the requirements to apply for the position? Steps cleared? malpractice insurance? Favourable visa? Fresh / old graduate?
Do they offer / suggest accomodation?
Is their institution IMG friendly?
If you are interested in externship, ask about the visa requirement...whether they sponsor any?

When to apply :
The best period is April- June. Most programs are accomodating of observers and externs before the applications for the residency pile in. As the number of applications are increasing every year, the possiblity of getting US clinical experience during the interview season ( October to February) will be meagre.. unless pre- arranged.

The wait :
You have taken the first step.. now its their turn to respond. Wait for 2 weeks. Resend the email..Wait another week for the reply. If there is still no reply.. now is the time to call. Do not leave voicemails.. your call will not be returned.

Which places to consider :
IMG friendly program with IMG Residents in the hospital is the safest bet.
Some hospitals like Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) offer observerships to candidates in IM/ PEds/ Ob Gyn.. but they hesitate to offer interviews / residency spots/ good recommendations to the observers.

AshB · Credits: 41733 My Scrapbook My Reading List 6 Books

Wow tinkerbell thats a very useful article. Thanks.

AshB · Credits: 41733 My Scrapbook My Reading List 6 Books

I'd add some more info here..

There are two kinds of observerships, ones that have established observership programs like Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai Medical Center etc. These are very few in number and competition is a way too high. Another type is when you request any individual prof to observe with him and he allows you.

Now established programs are few and tougher to get unless you apply 6-10 months in advance. But individual profs or depts allowing you is relatively easier and more feasible route. There is rarely a fixed funda regarding such observerships. First lets see what a prof would look into while assessing you application:
- Visa status
- Scores, if any
- Your CV ie. any research background specially for a research post
- Does he know you or if somebody he knows has recommended you
- Overall feasibility of you as a prospective residency candidate at their program.. this is the most important thing and all the above factors are assessed in this light.
- Of course, the timing of your application. The sooner the better.

If you apply to profs randomly without even a single step score, in general they won't even consider you once. Out of the certain established programs some might accept your application without scores.

Emailing is the easier option but its always better if you can personally meet a prof. The chances of acceptance are much higher in such cases. Specially the people who are already in US and are looking for USCE in their own city, should try and meet the profs in the nearby programs personally. A prof tends to say yes more to a person who he can talk to in person rather than a faceless email.

Visa is a very important issue. No prof is going to sponsor a visa for a observership post and only rare established observership programs give you a letter for the visa. Hence the best bet is the period when you get to US for CS.

When you email programs, try to convince them as to your suitability as a future resident. That would be the most important factor in your acceptance.

Here's a few from the list around on net, that are known to offer observerships. Since this list is everywhere on the net these are the most difficult to get cos everyone tends to apply to these..

Chandler Medical center, Lexington, KY
Cleveland Clinic, FL
Columbia University(Med)
Cook County, IL
Duke Hospital, Durham, NC
Elmhurst Hospital, Queens, NY
Emory University
Griffin Hospital, CT
Good Samaritan Hospital, IL
Harbor Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Hennepin County Minneapolis, MN
Jackson Park Hospital, Chicago, IL
Maricopa Medical Center
Meridia Huron Hospital, East Cleveland, OH
Mount Sinai Medical Center, FL
Providence Hospital, Washington, DC
Temple University, Conemaugh, PA
University of California, San Francisco, CA
University of Miami, Miami, FL
University of Texas,Houston Medical School, TX
VA Medical Ctr., Washington, DC
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
West Virginia University Hospital, WV
Temple University Hospital

Good luck!

carbamazepine · Credits: 1363 My Scrapbook

thats a very useful post AshB
I m preparing for step I right now and have ample time for the observership
your post has solved a bit of my problems

medisid · Credits: 4735 My Scrapbook

two good post
from two gr8 modd-ies.....

rks · Credits: 478 My Scrapbook

v useful.....

many thanks.

superdockolli · Credits: 603 My Scrapbook

hey, thats awesome information there... thanx!!!

villa_torino123 · Credits: 948 My Scrapbook

great info and very very knowlegable its keeping on my toes i need to get my socks up!!!!thanks ash n tinkerbell

superdockolli · Credits: 603 My Scrapbook

thats hreat infor amtion there tinkerbell and ashB... good work...

i want to find out about CLINICAL ELECTIVES...

in the recent past many of my classmates have gone to US to pursue their clinical electives in various hospitals in various branches...

they had been very secretive about this whole issue and couldnt get to speak about this too them...

whats all this CLINICAL ELECTIVES... is it true that only students who are studying mbbs or doing internship can apply for that???

after we land in US like we search for observrships and clinical externships, can we search for clinical electives and get them???

how much weightage do they carry???

lot many questions i guess, was kinda confused with this clinical electives idea... he he...

doc575 · Credits: 2511 My Scrapbook

hi all,is it possbl to search and apply for observership now,,and without any contacts is there any chance to get any,,though we are ready to pay for it.

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