Planning Your Fourth Year and Beyond
Resources for students planning or entering the fourth year at UND.
These resources will help students plan a successful future by offering information
on resume building, application process, interviewing, and more.
- Fourth-Year Elective Choice Form (This is campus specific, please contact your home Campus Admin to obtain this form)
- Limitations to Specialty Electives policy 4.7
- Electives and Elective Guidelines
- Suggested 4th year Electives Based on Anticipated Specialty
- Electives by Specialty
Away Elective Procedures:
Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO)
VSLO is the centralized application process many schools use for visiting medical student rotations.
International Electives through VSLO
International Electives through VSLO is the standardized application process for international electives offered through AAMC (Similar to VSAS for domestic away rotations). International electives through AAMC may also be found in VSLO. For more information, contact Dr. Zelewski.
International Elective Procedure
Accepted Electives for Credit
- UND sponsored electives (ie: Australia)
- VSLO sponsored rotations. See details regarding VSLO above.
- Rotations approved on an individual basis by the Office of Student Affairs. These
rotations must:
- Have the proper level of supervision available for the medical student.
- Have a supervisor who is able to fill out the SMHS 4th year elective evaluation form (preferable electronic).
- Have a policy or procedure regarding the health and safety of the student in event of a needle stick or splash exposure.
- Have learning objectives for the student while on the rotation.
Travel Restrictions and Requirements
Prior to elective please review and complete: UND SMHS Policy 5.9 & elective procedures
Fees
The student is responsible for the VSLO application fee, any fees associated with passports, visas, travel, travel and health insurance, room and board, tuition if charged by the institution they are doing the rotation through and any other incidental costs incurred during the rotation.
- Please check with your personal health insurance prior to getting travel vaccines as these are often no longer covered.
Credit for Rotations
- To receive credit for the rotation, the student must complete all pre-rotation requirements as specified above.
- Upon return, the student will complete a written reflection on their experience discussing differences seen in healthcare between their international site and home and relating their experience abroad to their future career and the impact the international rotation has had on their planned practice of medicine.
- Careers in Medicine
- AMA Choosing a Medical Specialty
- AAFP Choosing a Medical Specialty
- Strolling Through the Match - Choosing Primary Care - Section 1 See pages 14-23
Specialty Colleges and Societies
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- College of American Pathologists
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American College of Physicians
- American College of Preventive Medicine
- American Psychiatric Association
- American College of Radiology
- American College of Surgeons
- American Urological Association
- AMA Directory of Federation Societies
Finding Residency Programs
Applying For Residency
Applications
The Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) is the standardized system almost all residencies use to receive applications.
The personal statement is your chance to get the residency program's attention when reading your application.
- One page in length
- Gives information about your unique characteristics and why you are a good candidate for residency
- Gives information on why you are choosing your specialty
- Opportunity to discuss your future goals
These example personal statements are provided as examples only. Please do not copy anything from these for your personal statement as this will be considered as plagiarism.
You should have at least 3 letters of recommendation for your applications. The letter writer needs to be familiar enough with you to write a detailed letter. Please check to see if your specialty requires a chair letter (letter of recommendation from the UND SMHS academic chair of your department).
You are able to designate which letters go to which programs when applying.
All letters uploaded to ERAS must be uploaded by the faculty writing the letter or their designee. If your letter writer is unable to upload their own letter, please contact your campus office for a list of designees.
Some specialties require standardized letters of recommendation.
- Interview Practice: The Big Interview Medical
- Careers in Medicine: Interviewing
- Frequently Asked Interview Questions
- Interviewing Residency Programs
- AMA Interviewing for Residency
- AAFP: Interviewing Tips
- AAFP: Questions to Ask During Your Residency Interview
- Strolling Through the Match - The Interview Process - Section 6 See Pages 60-76
After the Interview
You must register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) as well as ERAS to participate in the main match.
- NRMP
- Main Residency Match Applicant Checklist
- American Academy of Family Physicians Match Information
- Ophthalmology Early Match (sfmatch)
- Urology Match
- Military Match Info:
- Couples Match
- Careers in Medicine: Navigating the Match as a Couple
- Strolling Through the Match - The Match: What it is and How It Works - Section 1 See pages 7-13
SOAP is the process used if you are not offered a position in the main match process.
- Introduction to the 4th Year
- UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Student Policies
- UND School of Medicine & Health Science Resident Policies & Procedures
- AAMC Careers in Medicine Student Guide
- AAMC Careers in Medicine: Choosing a Medical Specialty
- AAMC: Roadmap to Residency
- AAFP: Strolling Through the Match