Visiting Elective Program Scholarship
As a fourth-year medical student, the expenses that arise, such as ERAS application fees, interview prep, and moving, all add up quickly. The UC Davis VEP Scholarship allowed me to take that extra step and do an away rotation at my top-ranking residency program. I was also grateful that this program and its staff went above and beyond by connecting me with mentors and supporting me with other resources, such as meal reimbursement, when the cafeteria suddenly closed. Seeing how well the staff welcomed me helped me make an easy decision during residency match ranking.
Sylvana Marquina, M.D.
VEP Scholar, 2023-2024
UC Davis Health Department of Family Medicine
The Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD) is committed to removing the barriers that limit access and opportunity for medical students from socio-economically educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and are interested in serving communities negatively affected by healthcare disparities. We support learners who are driven to serve where the need for healthcare is greatest and who bring diverse perspectives to the field of medicine.
Whether you are pursuing your medical residency at UC Davis or another institution, we are here to ensure you feel welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout your rotation at UC Davis Health.
Fourth-year medical students from other schools may choose to participate in an elective rotation at UC Davis School of Medicine, especially if they are interested in matching into a UC
Davis residency program. The Visiting Elective Program Scholarship supports fourth-year medical students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving underserved communities and who are exploring a future in medicine that aligns with the mission of UC Davis Health. This scholarship is intended for students whose personal journey to medicine reflects a dedication to health equity, whose experiences show meaningful engagement with underserved populations, and who are interested in practicing in Northern California, particularly in areas with physician shortages.
Students in the program will receive:
- Reimbursement of travel costs to and from Sacramento and must be completed within a week of rotation dates (up to $500)
- Reimbursement of food costs (up to $500)
- Reimbursement of the UC Davis application processing fee ($300)
- Reimbursement of housing expenses (up to $1500)
- Unique networking opportunities with OSRD and student interest groups
Eligibility:
Fourth-year medical students in good standing at accredited U.S. medical schools are eligible to apply for a four-week clinical elective at UC Davis through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) Application Service. While students remain enrolled at their home institutions, medical students accepted for a UC Davis Health rotation are eligible for the Visiting Elective Program (VEP) Scholarship, offered by the Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD). This scholarship provides financial support and mentorship resources.
Please be aware that acceptance into an away rotation and eligibility for a scholarship are separate processes.
Rotation Eligibility: The Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD) does not determine acceptance into away rotations. These decisions are made independently by the host clinical departments, based on their own eligibility criteria and application review processes.
Application Process:
- Apply for your chosen electives in VSLO at aamc.org/vslo. Scholarship applications will only be considered with a complete VSLO application.
- Submit a VEP Scholarship application here. In your application, answer the following questions:
- Describe your path to medicine, providing insight into the pivotal moments and experiences that have influenced your decision to pursue medicine.
- Briefly explain how your work, life, and educational experiences have influenced your commitment to serve medically underserved groups.
- Consider a health disparity that exists within a medically underserved community. What types of healthcare initiatives are you interested in pursuing that could address this health disparity?
- Discuss your interest in joining UC Davis Health and/or serving Northern California, outlining the reasons behind your choice and how it aligns with your professional goal(s). What contributions will you bring to UC Davis Health and/or Northern California communities?
Scholarship Application Timeline:
- The scholarship application cycle opens annually on April 1 with a deadline for submissions of April 30.
- Funding permitting, applications submitted after April 30 may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Selection Process:
Applicants are evaluated with particular attention to their personal journey, commitment to underserved communities, and alignment with UC Davis Health’s mission. The following criteria guide the selection process:
- Personal Journey to Medicine
- Insightful reflection on personal experiences and motivations for pursuing medicine, especially in the face of adversity.
- Commitment to Underserved Communities
- Demonstrated dedication to serving medically underserved populations through lived, academic, or professional experiences.
- Understanding of Health Disparities
- Awareness of specific health challenges in underserved communities and interest in addressing them through healthcare initiatives.
- Interest in UC Davis Health and Northern California
- Alignment with UC Davis Health’s mission and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the region’s healthcare needs.
If selected, applicants will be notified via email on their scholarship award and the reimbursement process for their award.
What are the benefits of receiving a Visiting Elective Program (VEP) scholarship at UC Davis?
- Access to mentorship and experience at UC Davis School of Medicine residency programs
- Reimbursement for travel, food, and lodging for rotation, reduction of the cost to obtain experiential learning during medical school
- Experiencing Sacramento and gaining a better understanding of the diverse communities and resources available
- Engaging in networking opportunities with faculty, residents, and staff at UC Davis School of Medicine
When is the next rotation?
Visit https://health.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/registrar/visiting.html for upcoming rotation and application deadline dates.
Does applying for VEP rotation before or after residency application affect my chances for residency with UC Davis Health?
No.
I have questions about a specific department of interest, who can I contact?
For questions regarding day to day activities and learning outcomes, contact the departmental coordinators in their respective departments. To see available residency programs, visit https://health.ucdavis.edu/gme/residency_programs.html
Do I have to apply for both elective rotation and scholarship?
Yes, you will need to apply for your chosen electives in VSLO at aamc.org/vslo. Your scholarship application will not be considered without a complete VSLO application. Fill out the VEP scholarship application at apply.pathways.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Where can I find which residency departments offer a VEP rotation?
Visit VSLO at aamc.org/vslo.
Can international students apply for the VEP scholarship?
International students are not eligible, per the Visiting Medical Student eligibility of enrollment policies: https://health.ucdavis.edu/mdprogram/registrar/visiting.html
2024 - 2025 Award Recipients:
2023 - 2024 Award Recipients
2. Shirley Cheng, University of Hawaii Burns School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Surgical Oncology
3. Emmanuel Brito, UC Riverside School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Orthopedic Surgery
4. Devra M Asah, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Surgery Trauma
5. Grace Jun, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Urology
7. Kathy Le, UT HSC San Antonio Long School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Otolaryngology
8. Andres Armijo, Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Surgical Oncology
9. Grant Akalonu, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Psychiatry
10. Aldana Garcia, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, UC Davis Health Dermatology
11. Xinna Chen, A.T. Still University - School of Osteopathic Medicine, UC Davis Health Emergency Medicine
2022 - 2023 Award Recipients
1. Tien Nguyen, Washington State Univ Elson S - Washington State-Floyd Tri-Cities School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Pediatric Surgery
2. Grace Wei, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, UC Davis Health Dermatology
3. Serena Choi, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Ophthalmology
4. Morgan Haynes, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Dermatology
5. Yen Luu, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Dermatology
6. Bilal Karim, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, UC Davis Health Child Neurology
7. Ky Ngo, University of Washington School of Medicine - U Washington-UW, UC Davis Health Surgery
8. Shadi Shams, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, UC Davis Health Child Neurology
9. Jasper Shu, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, UC Davis Health Anesthesiology
10. Nancy Abarca, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, UC Davis Health Neurology
2021 - 2022 Award Recipients
1. Desiree Morris, Kerkorian SOM UNLV, UC Davis Health Dermatology
2. Edgardo Alonso, UCSF SOM, UC Davis Health Internal Medicine
4. Kristine Vo, U of Hawaii - Burns SOM, UC Davis Health Otolaryngology
5. Linda Kerandi, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, UC Davis Health Psychiatry
6. Raymond Martinez, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, UC Davis Health Hematology/Oncology
7. Jennifer Cortes, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, UC Davis Health Combined Family Medicine–Psychiatry
8. Ashkan Khosravi, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, UC Davis Health Rehabilitation Medicine
9. Philomena Nwanze, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, UC Davis Health Combined Family Medicine - Psychiatry
Departmental Scholarship Availability
Not all departments currently offer scholarships for their Visiting Elective Program (VEP). The departments listed below have their own established scholarship programs for visiting students, and award amounts and eligibility criteria varies.
If you apply for both a department-sponsored scholarship and the VEP Scholarship through OSRD, you may only receive one award per rotation. All scholarship decisions, including availability, eligibility, and selection are made by the individual clinical departments.
- Emergency Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
For more information on applying to a fourth-year elective at UC Davis Health, visit the Office of the Registrar's Visiting Medical Students page.
OSRD collaborates with individual residency and fellowship programs to showcase how each program promotes diversity, equity and inclusion as part of the larger UC Davis Health community. Many programs participate in OSRD's annual Graduate Medical Education Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Open House, and some programs hold Diversity Day events concurrent with interviews. If you are an applicant interested in one of these programs, please reach out to the residency or fellowship program directly.
If you are a representative from a UC Davis residency or fellowship program, please visit our Info for GME Programs page.
Welcome to our new UC Davis residents and fellows! We are so excited to meet you. Check out some of the resources available to you on our Current Residents and Fellows page.
