Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility requirements

Observers must meet all the following requirements prior to participating in an Observership Experience. These include:

• ECFMG certification (active or inactive status is acceptable but must have achieved the certificate once.)
• Passing scores on USMLE exams. Step 3 is welcome but not required.
• Year of graduation within five (5) years prior to the start of the observership (preferred).
• Completion of the relevant “Observership Experience Agreement.”
• Submission of vaccination status and titers.
• Comprehensive evacuation/repatriation/medical insurance for the duration of the Observership Experience.

Application process

1. IMG observers submit an application.
2. Documents needed for application:
   • Medical school transcript
   • USMLE score report
   • Current curriculum vitae
   • 1 letter of recommendation
   • Personal statement: 200 words
   • ECFMG certificate
   • Valid U.S. visa, permanent residence or U.S. citizenship
3. Areas of interest (floors/clinic and date availability for the observership program.)
4. Upon receipt of all required documents, the Observership program leadership team will review the applications and make appropriate assignments based on our selection criteria and the availability of preceptors.
5. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
6. Observership fee based on length of observership (inpatient or outpatient floors, resident clinic—No ICU*):
   • Four weeks: $1,500
   • Two weeks: $750
   • $250 fee upon acceptance into program
   • You will receive instructions on how to submit your fee after you have been accepted in the program.

*Depending on the availability of spots you can be assigned only floors, only clinic or both. For example if you requested 4 weeks of floor but there is no availability, you maybe be assigned 2 weeks of floors and 2 weeks of clinic or any other combination. 

Note: Only complete applications will be reviewed. Additional information may be necessary and requested upon initial review.