Visiting Student Requirements
Welcome to UCSF Fresno! As you embark on your final year of medical school, we hope that you will take this opportunity to consider UCSF Fresno’s fourth year elective program. UCSF Fresno invites students who are in good academic standing at an accredited medical school to participate in this exciting program.
Please note: UCSF Fresno utilizes both a Fresno Electronic Application and VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunities) to receive visiting student applications. All students (except 3rd Yr. UCSF students) attending an LCME accredited or AOA accredited medical school will submit application through VSLO first—if your school utilizes VSLO. Secondly, upon acceptance of the VSLO offer, students will be directed to go to the UCSF Fresno Electronic Application to complete a supplemental form and student profile. This 2nd step is vitally important to process all students in a timely manner. If your school does not use VSLO, please use the Fresno application (link provided below).
An approved affiliation agreement must be on file for UCSF Fresno and student’s home school. Agreements are good for 5 years. Attached is a list of current medical schools that have approved agreements on file with UCSF Fresno. If your home school is NOT listed, please download the AAMC Approved Agreement AND the UCSF Fresno Implementation Letter and submit to your home school. The signed document can be returned to the UME Office for completion at fresno-medical.students@ucsf.edu
UCSF Fresno Approved List of Affiliated Medical Schools
AAMC Uniform Clinical Affiliation Agreement – download and forward to home school
UCSF Fresno SOM Implementation Letter – download and forward to home school for signature (word document)
VSLO Visiting Medical Students: To search Fresno electives on VSLO, first select UCSF and then select “Fresno” as the campus (see PDF below). Submit on-line through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Visiting Student Application Service (VSLO) https://vslo.aamc.org/vslo. You will receive notification from UCSF Fresno to submit the supplemental application. VSLO students must complete Fresno’s supplemental application to request Housing and answer additional questions: https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/application.html(Step 2)
How to search for UCSF Fresno on VSLO
Fresno Supplemental Application & Student Profile (electronic): If your school does not utilize VSLO, please apply for electives using the Fresno electronic application: Only students from LCME or AOA accredited medical schools who have accepted VSLO offers or those given special permission may apply. https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/application.html (Step 1)
International/Non-LCME Schools (offshore): Please click here for policy information.
Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Students: Please click here for policy information.
Returning Students: students returning to UCSF Fresno may apply for additional electives anytime by completing Step 2 at the Fresno Application link: https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/application.html. The system will recognize your unique ID for faster processing. Any outdated or expired documents will be requested. All fees apply.
UCSF Students: If you are interested in taking an elective at Fresno, you must apply directly through Fresno. A list of the Fresno elective clerkships is available here: http://meded.ucsf.edu/ume/electives-ucsf-fresno.
UCSF Student Instructions for setting up a Fresno CL Elective:
Apply/Request to UCSF Fresno electives using the online application– STEP 2 & STEP 3: https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/application.html.
Once you have been confirmed for an elective, forward the confirmation email to Wenia Lee at UCSF so she can add it to your MedHub schedule. This step is important because Wenia is not automatically notified.
We are in the process of creating a system for UCSF Bay Area-based students to complete Med 140.01 Acting Internship at UCSF Fresno, which would be scheduled through the same scheduling process as all other Med 140.01 sites; please stay tuned for more details.
Please update all the red areas like capital S on student and add CL and capital E on electives. Add CIEx and add Med Hub in 2nd paragraph.Please note that housing is not guaranteed or automatically assigned for fourth year rotations. Please inquire about housing at: Fresno-CampusLifeHousing@ucsf.edu.
Cancellations/Refunds: Please scroll down to review the cancellation and refund policies.
Attendance Policy: Please discuss requests for time off with the clerkship director or site coordinator of the clinical department where you are rotating. Ordinarily no more than one (1) excused absence is allowed in 4 weeks. During interview season, students will be allowed 1 day per 2 weeks during the elective rotation for interviews.
The following requirements are applicable to all students whether applying
in VSLO or the electronic Fresno Application.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Application Processing Time: all students are given an initial 45 days to complete the entire application process unless a shorter timeframe is approved based on the start date of the rotation. The UME office will notify all students via email about the processing time. Due to the high volume of applications, it is important that all students adhere to the timelines and payment of fees. VSLO students must accept final offers within 1 week and submit fees per the deadlines.
Health Insurance: Students are required to maintain health coverage from their primary school or it must be obtained within 5 days of arriving in Fresno. Proof of insurance coverage may be required from any student not covered by their home school. UCSF Fresno will accept and process authorization through VSLO.
Immunizations: Students will be asked to submit documentation of immunization status – including current TB documentation. VSLO applicants must have the completed UCSF immunization form uploaded into VSLO.
Malpractice Insurance: Students must provide proof of malpractice coverage with the home school (exceptions for summer program enrollment will be considered). Minimum coverage is $1,000,000 per incident / $3,000,000 aggregate. UCSF Fresno will verify malpractice insurance through VSLO and the minimum coverage limits will apply for all applicants including VSLO.
Board Scores and Transcripts: Please see specific requirements for each department listed below. Submit all documents directly to the clinical department. This should be done prior to initiating the online application/capturing tentative rotation dates.
EM Applicants: Submit your medical school transcripts, USMLE Step 1 score, and a letter of interest in the VSLO portal. For questions, reach out to Marie Martinez: marie.martinez@ucsf.edu or (559) 499-6647.
FM Applicants: Please ensure that your VSLO/VSLO file is current and that the following documents are uploaded for review by the FCM coordinator: CV, USMLE or COMLEX score report and Letter of Interest in FCM. The contact for FCM is Shelby Fallas: shelby.fallas@ucsf.edu.. FCM Program can be reached at (559) 499-6624
IM, Dermatology, & Neurology Applicants: Please submit a copy of medical school transcripts and USMLE board scores, CV, personal statement, including a brief summary of your interest in the program and Central Valley ties along with your VSLO elective applications. Questions can be submitted via email to Christina Soto at Christina.Soto2@ucsf.edu. The IM program can be reached at (559) 499-6490
OB/GYN Applicants: Please submit a copy of medical school transcripts, CV, USMLE or COMLEX board scores, and desired rotation dates directly to the OB/GYN program. Please also submit a brief summary explaining your interest in the program to Jeanette Naranjo at Jeanette.Naranjo@ucsf.edu or by fax (559) 499-6541. The OB/GYN program can be reached at (559) 499-6540.
Orthopedic Surgery Applicants: Please submit a copy of your USMLE or COMLEX board scores. If already uploaded to VSLO, please let coordinator know. Send to Andrew Ranta at Andrew.ranta@ucsf.edu
PEDS Applicants: Please submit a CV and copy of medical school transcripts directly to the PEDS program or be sure to upload in VSLO. Transcripts and CV can be submitted via email to Bree Godoy at Bree.godoy@ucsf.edu. The pediatrics program can be reached at 559-499-6569
PSYCH Applicants: The Psychiatry program can typically accept only 1-4 elective students each year. Before you apply, you must reach out to our coordinator at Fresno-psychiatrymedicalstudents@ucsf.edu and send two items: (1) your CV; and (2) a personal statement that describes your Valley ties and your desire to practice in the Valley. Only students who have sent these items before applying will be considered for an elective.
SURGERY Applicants: Please submit a copy of medical school transcript, USMLE board scores and CV through VSLO/VSLO. Email Sonya Garcia at Sonya.garcia@ucsf.edu for availability. The surgery program can be reached at 559-499-6549. UiM grants available to applicants. Click here for flyer and review information.
VA Hospital: Students completing elective rotations at the VA Hospital (LIFE Program, Dermatology and Endocrinology) must complete a series of forms and fingerprinting as mandated by the government. Students will be notified via email approximately 4 to 6 weeks in advance in order to complete the VA paperwork. Please review this section on VA requirements. All VA forms may be submitted after the application process has begun. (Click here for the VA Hospital requirements page)
UCSF Fresno Scholarship for Visiting Students 2023
The UCSF Fresno is excited to offer a visiting student scholarship opportunity to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are committed to working with underserved populations, or are interested in working with issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our institution was established to meet the needs of the San Joaquin Valley by training and retaining physicians to provide care in our region. It is the mission of the UCSF Fresno medical education program is to provide innovative and excellent patient care while training the next generation of physicians and advancing patient-centered research while serving our culturally diverse and medically under-served patient population. It is our goal to train physicians who reflect the diversity of our surrounding communities.
Eligibility: To qualify for this scholarship, you must
- Be entering your final year of medical school (graduating 2024)
- Identify as a student from a Disadvantaged Background**
- Be in good academic standing.
Requirements for the UCSF Fresno clinical electives must also be met. https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/medical-student-programs/list-of-elective-rotations/
Prior to the start of your rotation, passed Step 1 of the USMLE or Complex (inquire with clinical program)
Contact individual clinical program for specific additional requirements
** Family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds AND/OR from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have demonstrably presented barriers to navigating admissions or access to medical careers.
This scholarship supports students by reducing the costs related to the clerkship travel, application/tuition fee and housing expenses. Scholarship awardees will receive reimbursement for the below expenses upon submission of receipts.
Student Housing
- Up to $1000 for travel (transportation) costs
- Application/Tuition fees
on the website: https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/medical-student-programs/visiting-student-requirements/
ELECTIVE APPLICATION PROCESS & ROTATION FEES
UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program welcomes eligible fourth year visiting medical students from all U.S. accredited institutions for a wide variety of electives. A fee is charged for the application processing and program tuition. UCSF Fresno charges according to institutional reciprocity (i.e., whether the application is from a student attending a medical school where there are also opportunities for UC students to pursue elective opportunities). In addition, each clinic program accepts applications based on capacity to accommodate visiting student.
- Elective Application and Tuition Fees:
Elective Fees: All visiting students (except UCSF & SJV PRIME students) are subject to an elective application fee of $300 and some students will pay additional tuition of $740. Please refer to the attached list of schools whose students will be charged the reduced fee of $300 only. If your school is not listed, you must pay the additional tuition of $740 due 30 days prior to rotation. UCSF Fresno Accepts the following forms of payment
All major credit cards are accepted through our secure portal.
Check or money order payable to UC Regents and mailed to the address below
Application Processing Fee $300– All visiting students due at the time of application or for VSLO upon acceptance of the offer. The fee of $300 is for each 2 or 4 week rotation per student.
Tuition Fee $740 (4 week) or $220 (2 week) – The tuition fee will be due 30 days prior to rotation. If student’s home school is to pay the tuition fee, please inform the UME staff at fresno-medical.students@ucsf.edu
See list of schools excluded from tuition here
Housing Fees: If space is available, a student may request single room occupancy through the Campus Life office and rates will be discussed at the time of the request. The current rate for single room is $650 per 4 week timeframe. For paying students only, email: Fresno-CampusLifeHousing@ucsf.edu to inquire about special housing/room arrangements. If housing is not available in our student apartments, the Campus Life Housing program will provide a list of alternate housing sites. Students are responsible for making alternate housing arrangements and covering all costs. Housing fees are due at the time of application to secure your housing spot.
UCSF Fresno Accepts the following forms of payment:
- All major credit cards are accepted through our secure portal.
- Check or money orders are also accepted
The secure online payment link will be provided by a UCSF Fresno coordinator upon department approval of the rotation(s).
Make check payable to UC Regents and mail to the following address;
Undergraduate Medical Education Office UCSF Fresno
155 North Fresno Street, Suite 251
Fresno, CA 93701
International/Offshore Students: Please click here for policy information.
Cancellation Policy:
Students must notify the appropriate clinical department of any cancellation. Students should also notify the Undergraduate Medical Education Office by phone (559) 499-6523 or email fresno-medical.students@ucsf.edu to notify of cancelled rotation(s).
Housing Cancellation: A four-week cancellation notice is required for a refund. Refunds are not automatically approved or processed. Students must request a refund in writing via email and provide a current mailing address. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to process the refund if approved.
Application Fee Refund: Application processing fees are non-refundable if student cancels the elective application. In the event the elective is cancelled or not accepted by the clinical department after student is approved and has paid, a partial refund of the enrollment fee may be granted at the discretion of the UME office. All refund requests must be in writing.
Welcome Orientation:
All first-time visiting students must complete an orientation on day one with the Undergraduate Medical Education Office. Returning students will not need to repeat orientation but may be required to “check in” with UME office to get ID badge, updated computer codes, pager or parking pass. All students will be notified via email regarding orientation requirements. This email will also include information on where to pick up housing keys and where to report on the first day. https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/orientation.htm