Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Student Program

Providing opportunities for medical students from historically excluded and underrepresented groups

The Visiting Student Program at the Ohio State University College of Medicine presents you with an exciting opportunity to experience a one-month rotation at one of America's top academic medical centers. The Ohio State College of Medicine has seven health science colleges and is ranked the 13th most diverse medical school in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Our goal is to expose students to a multidisciplinary approach to medical practice, provide experience with common problems, diagnosis and management, teach and refine examination skills, and familiarize students with common procedures. The program provides support to the aspiring physician, with the overall aim to further a physician's ability to better address the unique health issues of our increasingly diverse communities.

You can explore a rotation in a great range of specialties, receive exposure to expert faculty mentors and breakthrough medical research, and experience the richness of academic medicine. You'll have the opportunity to be on the front lines of high-level care provided to diverse patient populations — in hospital and community-based settings — and help diagnose and treat conditions both routine and complex. In addition to active participation on the clinical rotation, students will meet with the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion to facilitate career development and mentoring. 

Overview

The College of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion (COM ODI) offers an Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Student Scholarship (URiM VSS) of $2,000 for fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to participate in visiting student rotations at The Ohio State University. Interested students must first complete the VSLO application before applying.

The goal of the scholarship is to support fourth year medical students underrepresented in medicine participating in an away rotation at The Ohio State University by defraying some of the cost of an away rotation. Applications are reviewed for the 2024-2025 academic year on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility

• Must have completed the American Association of Medical Colleges' Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO)'s application.
• Must be a full-time, fourth-year medical student in good academic standing at an accredited U.S. medical school.
• Identify as being from an underrepresented group in medicine

Scholarship Details

• All application materials, including the two letters of recommendations, are due at least 4 weeks prior to the first day of the away rotation. Applications submitted less than 4 weeks of the first day of the away rotation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Applications will be reviewed once all required documents are received.
• Students can apply to the COM ODI URiM Visiting Student Scholarship before being accepted to their desired department at The Ohio State University.
• Students must have accepted their desired department/specialty offer at The Ohio State University through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) to receive the scholarship funds.
• Scholarship recipients will receive a $2,000 award.
• Scholarship recipients are responsible for making their own housing and travel arrangements.
• Scholarship recipients will meet with the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion for Learners once they begin their away rotation.

Selection Criteria

• Interest in improving the healthcare delivery to rural and underserved areas and populations
• Demonstrated interest in promoting diversity and inclusion
• Good standing in medical school

How to Apply

1. Complete the AAMC’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) application and comply with the requirements listed on the Visiting Students page.
2. Complete the COM ODI URiM Visiting Student Scholarship at https://go.osu.edu/URiMVSS

Timeline:

• Application Deadline: we encourage applicants to submit their application at least 4 weeks before desired away rotation.
• Application review will begin April 8, 2024.
• Scholarship notifications will begin April 29, 2024

Application

The application consists of:

• Applicant basic information
• Interest Statement: In no more than 550 words, describe your interest in Ohio State, including specialty and career aspirations, along with your personal history of activity and future plans to address health disparities.
• Two letters of recommendation that comment on your academic performance and potential to excel in residency. One of the letters should be submitted by an assistant or associate dean from your medical school. PDF versions of the letters should be submitted confidentially by each author via email to COM ODI at odi@osumc.edu at least 4 weeks prior to the first day of the away rotation.

Please note: All submitted information will be used to provide a holistic review of your application. Submitted information will be stored on a password protected hard drive that the College of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion only has access to. Your department of interest will not have access to this application.