Email this pageInternational Visiting Student Information and Application
Flu and H1N1 Alert
Mandatory University Health Services Fee
All visiting international students must pay a mandatory health fee during their University of Rochester elective time regardless of health insurance from their country of origin.
The mandatory health fee covers the following services:
- Primary care visits with University Health Service (UHS) physicians, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse.
- Time-limited therapy at the University Counseling Center on an individual, couples, or group basis.
- Physician and mental health professional on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- Health Education and health promotion services.
- Public health and disease prevention programs.
The mandatory health fee does not cover health care visits to locations outside the University Health Service and the University Counseling Center. It also does not cover the cost of medications or laboratory tests.
Students must pay the fee during orientation and will not be permitted to begin electives until the fee is paid. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the weekly health fee cost is $11.08US.
Mandatory Flu Shot
The threat of a major H1N1 Influenza outbreak is high. Individuals who have immune or chronic medical illnesses along with all individuals <24 years of age are at high risk.
New York State has passed a law that requires all those in health care to be immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccine AND the H1N1 vaccine if available. There are no options for personal or religious objections to being vaccinated. The vaccine requirement can be waived only for individuals with physician documented conditions which contraindicate giving the vaccine or those with a physician documented allergy that meets the criteria outlined by the CDC.If you received a flu shot or the H1N1 vaccinein your country of origin, you must bring documentation from your physician and it must include the flu vaccine lot number, name of the manufacturer of the flu vaccine, and the date of administration. Any individual who objects (student, staff or faculty) will not be allowed in any clinical setting.
The cost of the vaccine is$20
In addition to the vaccine, other preventive actions are necessary including the following and to reduce the spread of illness, health authorities are encouraging the following:
- frequent hand washing (consider carrying a bottle of alcohol-based cleanser with you at all times)
- cough etiquette, that is, cough or sneeze into a tissue or, if tissue is not immediately available, into your arm or sleeve (do not cough or sneeze into your hand); place used tissues immediately in the waste basket followed by washing your hands
- use of approved disinfectants on shared surfaces, such as doorknobs, desk tops, computer keyboards, telephones, tables, and chairs, etc.;
staying home if you have severe respiratory or flu-like illness
- purchase, carry and use alcohol based cleansers.
Any questions regarding vaccination/prevention or evaluation of symptoms should be directed to UHS at 585-275-2662.
Application Instructions
Students attending foreign medical schools may apply for a maximum of twelve weeks of electives at the associated hospitals of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Only final year medical students are eligible to participate in the electives program. Please allow at least four months to plan and complete the application process.
Procedures for applying: There are two application processes that need to be completed and approved to participate in electives at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Candidates must complete each phase of the University of Rochester Visiting Student Application Process and the New York State Department of Education State Board of Education Review Process. Your failure to complete every phase of both application processes will result in your request to complete electives at the University of Rochester to be denied.
International Visiting Students from Medical Schools outside of Exchange Agreements:
2 students will be accepted per quarter.Applicants must follow the schedule below for applying to the program:
| Quarters | Completed Applications MUST be submitted by: |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2009-December 31, 2009 |
CLOSED |
| January 1, 2010- March 31, 2010 |
CLOSED |
| April 1, 2010-June 30, 2010 | December 31, 2009 |
| July 1, 2010- September 30, 2010 | March 31, 2010 |
University of Rochester Procedures
Visiting Student Application
A complete application consists of the following:
- A completed Visiting Student Application form
- A letter of intent describing your interest in studying at the University of Rochester School of Medicine
- A copy of your curriculum vitae
- A letter of recommendation from your Dean or senior student affairs official
- A completed Certificate of Good Standing with the institutional seal
- Two letters of recommendation from Faculty members from your home institution
- An official transcript from your home institution
- Certificate (TOEFL or equivalent) proving proficiency in the English language
- TOEFL: Minimum score 100
- Individual Minimums for the TOEFL internet-based test:
- A $100 non-refundable deposit (in US funds) payable to the University of Rochester
| Writing | 25 |
| Speaking | 24 |
| Reading | 26 |
| Listening | 25 |
To have ETS send your TOEFL results to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, use school code 1000.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE APPLICATION UNTIL THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER RECEIVES THE $100 deposit in US funds and all of the above requirements have been met.
Once you have been accepted into the program, the following is needed AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO START OF ELECTIVE:
- Proof of malpractice insurance (Note: If your home institution does not provide adequate malpractice coverage you will be required to purchase insurance. The UR requires malpractice insurance with coverage of $1 million USD per claim and $3 million USD aggregate)
- Proof of Repatriation insurance
- A completed confirmation form for J-1/F-1 visa application (if B1 visa application is denied by the consulate)
- A completed Health History Form
- FULL TUITION PAYMENT- see below regarding cost and application fee credit
You will not be able to participate in electives unless tuition is paid in full at least four weeks prior to scheduled start date
Cost
A $375 per week (US funds) fee will be charged for elective courses. Certain elective courses have minimum and maximum week time limits. The $100 deposit will be credited toward the fees due. The total fee must be paid by check in US funds to the University of Rochester at least 30 days prior to the start of the elective(s). If you need to withdraw from the elective, you are required to notify The Office of Student Enrichment Programs at least three weeks before the elective is to begin. No refunds will be issued for requests to withdraw or reschedule electives after the three week window. In addition, refunds will not be given for U of R electives that are started and interrupted or terminated.
Technical Standards Policy
All applicants accepted to the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry must be able to meet the School’s technical standards. Students are asked to review the standards and to sign a form certifying they have read, understand, and are able to meet the standards.
The School of Medicine is prepared to provide reasonable accommodations to students who are accepted by the School and who have physical and learning disabilities (e.g.: mobility impairments, chronic illnesses, dyslexia and other learning disabilities). The University will review the information in order to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made. The University reserves the right to reject any requests for accommodation, that in its judgment would involve the use of an intermediary that would in effect require a student to rely on someone else’s power of selection and observation, fundamentally alter the nature of the School’s educational program, lower academic standards, cause an undue hardship on the School, or endanger the safety of patients or others.
Questions regarding the Technical Standards Policy should be directed to Dean Brenda D. Lee, at brenda_lee@urmc.rochester.edu or (585) 273-4322
Religious Observance
In order to be in compliance with New York State Education Law 224-a, the University has adopted the following statement regarding respect for students’ religious beliefs.
“As provided in New York Education Law Section 224-a, students who choose not to register for classes, attend classes or take exams on certain days because of their religious beliefs will be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or to make up the work requirements or exams they miss, without penalties or additional fees.”
If the requested accommodations in effect require or result in students not participating in required educational experiences, a review committee will be convened to evaluate the reasonableness of the requested accommodations and if granting such will substantially alter the depth and integrity of the educational requirements for University of Rochester electives.
Please see the attached form if you will require religious observance accommodations.
Area(s) of Interest
On the Visiting Student Application, indicate the specialty or subspecialty area(s) and the specific electives desired. Be sure to indicate alternate choices, since not all electives are offered at all times. Enrollment in most electives is limited, and priority is given to University of Rochester students first. It is to your advantage to give alternate choices and send in the application as soon as possible. The billing invoice and other materials will be sent to you.
New York State Education Department Application Procedure
Letter of Eligibility
All materials submitted to the New York State Education Department must be in English, and accompanied by a $30 fee (in US funds) for each letter of eligibility.
The following materials should be submitted to the following address:
Mary Pressley Smith
New York State Education Department
State Board of Medicine
89 Washington Avenue
2nd Floor, West Wing
Albany, NY 12234 USA
The Office of Student Enrichment Programs will provide you with the application form which you will need to complete with the following information:
- The teaching hospital (e.g., Strong Hospital, Park Ridge Hospital)
- The dates of your elective(s) (maximum of twelve weeks)
- The specialty area of the elective(s) (e.g., General Surgery, Internal Medicine)
- Whether or not you have previously completed any elective (s) in New York State [If you have, name the hospital, dates, specialty, and supervising physician(s)]
- you will also need to attach a copy of the acceptance letter from The Office of Student Enrichment Programs
In addition, a letter from your home institution must be sent in English indicating:
- Your matriculation status stating that you are currently enrolled and in good academic standing
- Your expected date of graduation
- Authorization by your school to undertake electives in New York State
- That academic credit will be granted for the clerkship
Other Important Information
Housing
Please note that the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry does not provide travel, housing, or living expenses for international visiting students. You are responsible for finding your own housing for the duration of your stay. Housing inquires should be directed to the Residence Director, University Apartments, Towne House, 1325 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620. Telephone number: (585) 275-5824. Fax number: (585) 442-7941. Please be aware that the Housing Office at the University does not guarantee housing.
Medical Student Honor Code
The University of Rochester School of Medicine has implemented an Honor Code for medical students in the Class of 2008 and forward. The honor code is designed to educate our community about professionalism and to deal with violations of these expectations while maintaining due process for students. NOTE: The Honor Code exists in conjunction with other University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, and regulatory policies. The Honor Code is not in lieu of, nor does it replace or supersede existing University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, and/or regulatory policies and procedures. In addition, the Medical Student Promotions and Review Board (MSPRB) retains the right to review professionalism, behavioral and other student cases directly, (independent of the Honor Code process) where health and safety concerns exist and in instances, determined by the MSPRB, to be egregious violations of the Medical School’s professionalism standards.
Miscellaneous
Questions, correspondence, and completed applications should be sent to the following:
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Student Enrichment Programs
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 601
Rochester, NY 14642 USA
Tel. (585) 275-4172 Fax: (585) 273-1016
E-Mail: cristina_morganti@urmc.rochester.edu
