The Subsidized Visiting Elective Program (SVEP) provides financial assistance and support to medical students who self-identify as Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) so that they may gain clinical exposure within any of our departments during a one-month elective at Boston Medical Center, affiliate hospital of Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Students accepted into SVEP will be reimbursed up to $2,500 for travel, housing, and Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) registration fees. They will also have the opportunity to meet with URiM faculty, residents, and fellows.
Eligibility Criteria
SVEP is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Are currently enrolled full-time third-year medical students applying to senior electives
- Are currently enrolled at an LCME-accredited U.S. institution
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Self-identify as underrepresented per the U.S. Census and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino/a, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and and Pacific Islander
How to Apply
This process requires two separate applications: the Subsidized Visiting Elective Program (SVEP) application, which awards the financial support, and the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) application, which allows students to register for an elective at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
SVEP Application
A complete SVEP application requires:
- A completed Subsidized Visiting Elective Application (PDF)
- Official medical school transcript
- Resumé or CV
- One letter of recommendation
Applications are due June 16. Please send your completed SVEP application form and resumé/CV directly to Shawnda Walker, URiM Program Manager, by email to Shawnda.Walker@bmc.org or by mail to:
Shawnda Walker, URiM Program Manager
GME/Office of Minority Physician Recruitment
960 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02119
All official transcripts must be mailed to the above address or sent electronically directly from the registrar's office. Within two weeks after submitting a completed application and all supporting documents, each SVEP applicant will receive an email notifying them of the status of their application.
VSLO Application
Acceptance into SVEP does not guarantee a clinical rotation. Students should create an account and log in to the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) platform. Once logged in, students can view the available blocks for rotation within their program of interest.
VSLO applications are managed by the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Registrar’s Office. Please contact them directly with questions about the VSLO application process and rotation details.
The Registrar’s Office will notify each applicant of their VSAS/VSLO application status.
Admitted Students Please Note: All visiting students must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Proof of vaccination can be sent to BMC Occupational Health by emailing OccHealth@BMC.org before your arrival.
Important Dates and Notes for Interested Students
Students Enrolled in U.S. Medical Schools
The 2024–2025 elective catalog will open to applications from visiting students enrolled in U.S. medical schools on March 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. All interested applicants must apply using VSLO.
The first block open to applications from visiting students begins on June 17, 2024. Students may be accepted for a maximum of four weeks of elective time at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
International Medical Students
Rotations for international medical students at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine are currently closed. Information regarding rotations for the 2024–2025 academic year will be available at a later date. For more information, contact Ana Gregory at anagreg@bu.edu.