Visiting Medical Student Diversity Scholarship

The application period is closed.

About

This program is geared toward 4th-year AAN member US medical students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds who plan to pursue a neurology visiting student rotation at an LCME/AOA-approved US medical school.

Timeline

• Application deadline: Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Benefits

For the selected scholars, the AAN will provide $2,000 to supplement expenses for the elective rotation.    

Eligibility

The AAN Medical Student Diversity Programs intentionally aim to choose a broad range of applicants that reflect the diversity of both the population and the communities we engage with. We strongly encourage applicants from various backgrounds to apply, embracing diversity in factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities.

*If you have unique circumstances and feel you are an exception to the eligibility criteria for this program, please contact us.

1.  4th-year AAN member medical students
2. Medical students must be from one of the following underrepresented groups in neurology: 
   1. African American/Black  
   2. Native American 
   3. Native Hawaiian 
   4. Alaska Native 
   5. Hispanic/Latino  
3.  Students must be in good standing at a United States (US) LCME/AOA-accredited medical school.  
4. The visiting student program should be located at a US LCME/AOA-accredited medical school or the National Institutes of Health,  not at the student’s home school.  
5. Students must apply directly to the school offering the visiting student program. The AAN does not guarantee placement.  
6. The AAN will provide the students with $2,000 each to help offset the costs of this visiting student program. Half of the funds will be given when the rotation starts, and half will be given after proof of completion of the program. Proof of participation is required before the AAN will issue any funds. 
7. Recipients must be willing to provide follow-up contact information, feedback on the experience, and a reflection of how this opportunity helped them in making their eventual specialty and residency program choices.  
8. Rotations should be at least 3 weeks in duration.  
9. Students accepted in a visiting program after January 1, 2024, are eligible to apply.  
10. Students applying for this scholarship must provide proof of application for the rotation. Multiple proofs of applications may be submitted, and proofs of application can include materials from VSLO. Students awaiting a decision can apply but must send proof of approval before June 3 to be considered.
11. Must complete rotations by November 30, 2024. 
12. Must send proof of completion by December 5, 2024, or a refund will be requested.
13. If the rotation is not completed, the student will have to return the first half of the payment received.  
14. Preference will be given to students from schools without a required neurology experience .

Examples of what would qualify as visiting student programs are programs that specifically state that the work should be “clinical” (as opposed to research) and may be inpatient or outpatient based. Inpatient neurology service teams, consultation neurology, and ambulatory practice-based neurology experiences are suitable examples. The visiting student program is not an observership.

Are you a 4th-year medical student, but not an AAN member? Student membership is free—there is no cost for students to be members of the AAN. Apply to be a member.

Application Materials

The AAN application process is online; requirements include:

1. Applicant Questions:
   1. Academic achievements
   2. Community involvement
   3. Plans to maximize the visiting student program opportunity. Highlight if current attendance is at a medical school without a dedicated neurology clerkship 4th year or elective and why a neurology visiting student program rotation is being sought. If the student’s medical school has a neurology clerkship, explain why a rotation at another school is being sought.
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Proof of Acceptance from the visiting school: Students must apply directly to the school offering the visiting student program. Proof of acceptance is required before the AAN will issue any funds.
4. Proof of good standing.
   1. Applicant must provide the contact of a faculty member who can certify that the applicant is in good standing at their institution. 

Outcome Analysis Plan

An evaluation will be created for participants of this program. The information will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Education Subcommittee and improvements to the program will be made as needed.

Questions?

For more information, please contact Senior Trainee Education Administrator Ben Stoddart, at bstoddart@aan.com.