Visiting Elective Scholarship

About the Visiting Elective Scholarship Program 

The UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine is committed to fostering a healthcare workforce capable of effectively serving our diverse patient populations, providing culturally responsive care, and addressing healthcare inequities. The UCLA Emergency Medicine Visiting Elective Scholarship Program provides financial support to fourth-year U.S. medical students who demonstrate a clear commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion within healthcare and who wish to complete a UCLA Emergency Medicine Sub-Internship (EM 320.01). The program aims to encourage students to apply to the UCLA Emergency Medicine Residency Program by introducing them to our vibrant clinical and academic environment.

Eligibility: All fourth-year U.S. medical students dedicated to promoting equity and inclusive practices within healthcare are encouraged to apply. Candidates who have demonstrated experience in or commitment to addressing healthcare inequities and providing care to under-resourced communities are particularly encouraged.

Our clinical emergency medicine clerkship at UCLA includes rotations at both our University medical center (Ronald Reagan-UCLA) and our County hospital (Olive View-UCLA). We offer a 4-week elective designed for fourth-year medical students pursuing careers in emergency medicine.

The clerkship offers a rigorous and enriching clinical experience at a prestigious academic medical center and an active county hospital. Participants will have the opportunity to serve as primary providers for acutely ill patients, actively engage in trauma care and resuscitations at our Level 1 trauma center, perform various procedures, and participate in weekly educational conferences.

Who should apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a fourth year medical student.
  • Plan to match into Emergency Medicine.
  • Be in good academic standing at an accredited US medical school.
  • Meet all standard VSLO application requirements for the EM320.01 elective.
  • Be able to rotate at UCLA between April 2025 – October 2025. Please note for the April and May blocks you’ll need to apply via VSLO and select the 2024 – 2025 academic year. For all other blocks, please select the 2025 -2026 academic year.

EM320.01 rotation offerings to visiting students:

  • April 21 - May 16, 2025
  • May 19 - June 13, 2025
  • June 16 - July 11, 2025
  • July 14 - Aug 08, 2025
  • Aug 11 - Sep 05, 2025
  • Sep 08 -Oct 03, 2025
  • Oct 06 - Oct 31, 2025

Application Deadline

  • Deadline to apply is March 15th, 2025. Please note we review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit as soon as possible.
  • Application materials are required on VSLO at least 60 days prior to the desired rotation start dates.

Application Process

  • Please review UCLA eligibility requirements. If you can submit all required documents, then please send your CV, unofficial transcripts, step scores, indicate which months you would like to rotate, and write a 1 page personal essay indicating why you are applying for this scholarship and why you are interested in rotating at UCLA Ronald Reagan | Olive View (300 words or less). Please send via email to Clerkship Coordinator, Nathalia Rodriguez, at nathaliaerodriguez@mednet.ucla.edu.
  • If accepted, you must complete the VSLO application for the UCLA Ronald Reagan/Olive View Emergency Medicine Clerkship.

The scholarship of $3,000 is a reimbursement intended to defray travel expenses such as transportation and lodging. Scholarship funds will be awarded after submission of appropriate receipts.

Participation in this program guarantees an interview for our residency program, but does not guarantee a position.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Clerkship Coordinator, Nathalia Rodriguez, at nathaliaerodriguez@mednet.ucla.edu