Student Services

NYMC Policy on Clinical Elective Requests from Foreign Medical Students

The New York Medical College has student exchange programs with four foreign medical schools:

Tokai University School of Medicine in Japan
The Catholic University of Korea in Seoul
Semmelweis University in Hungary
The Hebrew University School of Medicine in Israel.

Under exchange agreements with these schools, full-time students in good standing in their final year of medical school may be accepted for one or more electives at the College. Electives may not exceed 12 weeks under any circumstances.

The College will not accept elective applications from students from international medical schools, except the four cited above.

All requests for electives from international medical students, from a school affiliated with the College, must be forwarded to the International Student and Scholar Advisor:

Elizabeth Ward, International Student and Scholar Advisor
Administration Building, Room 123
New York Medical College
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914)594-4846
E-Mail: elizabeth_ward@nymc.edu

Requirements for international medical students:

1. Students must be in their final year of medical school.
2. Students must be fluent in English.
3. Electives are generally limited to one four-week rotation.
4. Applications must be received no later than three months before the start date of the elective.
5. NYMC Visiting International Student Health Status Form.

Foreign medical applicants must also submit the following materials before an elective can be approved:

1. A letter from the Dean or other appropriate official of the student’s foreign medical school indicating that the student is currently enrolled, is in good standing, and has permission for the elective at NYMC.
2. The student’s C.V.
3. Passport pages with personal information and passport issuance/expiration dates
4. Medical school transcript
5. Proof of malpractice insurance
6. Proof of health insurance

Visiting foreign medical students are subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to NYMC students. Participation in electives is based on satisfactory performance, English language skills, and behavior. Once an elective is approved, no changes in assignments are allowed.

Visiting foreign medical students are not considered degree candidates at NYMC, and student visas will not be issued to them. New York State requires an application fee of $30 for visiting students doing electives at medical schools in New York. If an international applicant is accepted for an elective, the International Student and Scholar Advisor will advise the student on how to apply for a New York State certificate of eligibility for the elective.

NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS ENROLLED AT FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY FROM THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD FOR MEDICINE

If a foreign medical student is accepted for an elective arranged by New York Medical College, the student and the College must apply for approval for the elective from the New York State Board for Medicine in the New York Department of Education. The New York Department of Education regulates clinical electives in this state.

Before a foreign medical student can undertake an elective in New York State, the New York State Board for Medicine needs to issue a "letter of eligibility" authorizing the elective. Before the State issues a letter of eligibility, the following conditions must be met:

• The applicant must complete a copy of the letter of eligibility application form. An application fee of $30 [check or money order] must accompany each application. The check or money order must be made payable to the New York Education Department.
• An official of the applicant’s foreign medical school must write a letter on behalf of the applicant. The letter should be addressed to Mr. Walter Ramos at the address given below and should indicate:

1. that the applicant is currently enrolled in good standing at ________;
2. the applicant’s expected graduation date;
3. that the applicant has been authorized by ________ to perform an elective in New York State;
4. the exact beginning and ending dates that the applicant has been authorized for a short-term elective in New York State;
5. a statement that academic credit will be granted to the applicant for the elective; and
6. the name of the NYMC-affiliated teaching hospital (if known) where the elective will be performed.

 

Mr. Ramos’ address is:

Mr. Walter Ramos
Executive Secretary
New York State Education Department
State Board for Medicine
89 Washington Avenue
Second Floor, West Wing
Albany, New York 12234
USA

The applicant and his/her foreign medical school must send the following documents to the International Student and Scholar Advisor:

1. A New York State letter of eligibility application form completed by the applicant.
2. The letter from the student’s overseas medical school approving the elective.
3. Proof of malpractice insurance.
4. Proof of medical insurance.

The International Student and Scholar Advisor will obtain a letter of invitation from the clinical department at NYMC that has accepted the applicant. That letter should provide the beginning and end dates of the elective, and information on where and when the student should report on his/her first day. The International Student and Scholar advisor will forward the letter of eligibility application form, the $30 check or money order, the invitation letter from the host department, and the letter from the applicant’s foreign medical school to Mr. Ramos’ office.

When the elective has been authorized by the New York State Board for Medicine, Mr. Ramos will send the letter of eligibility to the International Student and Scholar Advisor for distribution to the admitted foreign medical student and his/her home university.

NOTES:

1. Do not send any documents directly to the New York State Board for Medicine. All information will be forwarded directly by the International Student and Scholar Advisor to Mr. Ramos’ office.
2. Foreign medical students are permitted to enroll in no more than 12 weeks of electives in hospitals located in New York State during any 24-month period.
3. The beginning and ending dates of proposed electives on the above letters must match.

Page updated: June 11, 2012