On this page:
Eligibility to Apply | My Application | If I Am Accepted
Eligibility to Apply
Please note the NIH Clinical Electives Program is accepting applications only from students attending LCME-accredited and U.S. osteopathic schools only. The program is not reviewing international applications at the present time. The reopening date for students at international medical schools and non-LCME or non-US osteopathic schools has not been established.
Q1: I do not attend a US accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school, or a Canadian LCME-accredited medical school. What documentation is required for assessment of suitable communication skills for a CEP rotation?
A: At this time, we are unable to review applications from schools outside of LCME-, AOA- or CODA-accredited schools except under very specific situations. If you are a US citizen or permanent resident who would like to be considered, please reach out to our team prior to applying.
Q2: I am a U.S. citizen attending medical school outside of the U.S. and I understand that I need to have taken and passed the USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) exam or provide an MSPE letter in my application. Is this correct?
A: Yes. Evidence of skills proficiency is required for all students who are US citizens or permanent residents attending international medical schools that are not LCME-accredited. With the termination of the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills exam, this evidence may be provided by submitting either a USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam score or a MSPE from your Dean's office.
Q3: For pending clerkship rotations listed on my academic transcript, is verification of a passing grade in writing from the core clerkship professor sufficient?
A: Yes. Verification of a passing grade in writing from the core clerkship professor is sufficient if an updated version of the transcript cannot be submitted in time for review prior to the requested rotation(s).
Q4: I am a medical school graduate and would like to participate in the CEP. Am I eligible?
A: No. Medical school graduates are not eligible to participate in the CEP, and current medical students cannot participate in a CEP rotation if their graduation date falls within the rotation date(s) of desired rotations at NIH. All students must be fully enrolled throughout the rotation.
Q5: Does the CEP offer observerships?
A: No. The CEP does not offer observerships and will not entertain requests for such activities. All CEP rotations must be completed for school credit. An official evaluation will be provided to the school.
Q6: Does CEP offer research opportunities?
A: The CEP rotations are designed to enhance understanding of how clinical research is conducted. They provide opportunities to learn about caring for patients with rare or complex disorders enrolled in human research protocols, but given the short period of time, students should not expect to conduct basic science research. Longer electives for MD/PhD candidates are available to provide clinical and research experience, but these should be discussed with our team prior to applying.
My Application
Q1: Is there an application fee?
A: No. There is no application fee through the NIH CEP application portal. AAMC VSLO fees may apply based on their policies but are not related to NIH. NIH does not change a rotation fee.
Q2: Is the four week elective time frame fixed or is it possible to extend or shorten my rotation?
A: The four week single elective time frame is fixed. However, if accepted, a student may negotiate a limited number of ad hoc excused absences with the rotation director for circumstances such as residency interviews. Extended absences for interviewing are not permitted. Some electives do offer 6 and 8 week opportunities based on candidate's interests and faculty availability.
Q3: How early should I apply for and elective?
A: While there is no deadline, and applicants are accepted on a continuous basis, we advise students to apply as soon as possible. We advise students to apply a minimum of 3 months prior to the desired elective start date. Applications are not considered until all materials are received.
Q4: What do I need to include in my 1) Cover letter 2) Dean's letter 3) Reference letter?
A: 1) The cover letter should be a one page letter that summarizes why you are interested, specifically, in a rotation at the NIH, in addition to your qualifying experiences and abilities. The cover letter should also outline your goals to be achieved by participating in the elective rotation at the NIH.
2) The dean's letter must verify that the student is in good academic standing in medical or dental school and recommended to participate in the rotation. For selected students referenced above, the Dean's letter should also as attest to the extent of your competence in effective and accurate communication with patients in the clinical setting.
3) A letter of reference from a faculty member who has supervised your clinical activities and can attest to your bedside clinical skills and competence in patient care and communication must be submitted as a credential
Q5: How long does it take to review my application?
A: Applications are reviewed at the discretion of the rotation director as received. There is no fixed interval for review and response for requested CEP rotations. Students who are accepted to their first-choice elective should hear within 3-5 weeks, and one to three weeks thereafter for each additional elective: the application is reviewed for one elective at a time. Students who are rejected should hear within 1-2 weeks.
Q6: How will I be notified if I am selected?
A: The CEP Program Administrator will notify successful candidates by e-mail.
Q7: My application was rejected by the three elective rotation choices that I listed. Can I change my list of elective choices to be considered for additional rotations?
A: No. Students are permitted to list a maximum of 3 elective rotation choices per application cycle during an academic year. If a student is not selected for any rotation during a specific academic year, he/she cannot request additional elective choices for the same academic year.
Q8: What are the NIH CEP immunization requirements?
A: Accepted students will be asked to provide documentation of immunization as required by NIH Occupational Medical Safety (OMS). OMS will review and determine if additional immunizations are required prior to rotation. Do not send or submit protected health information (PHI) with initial CEP application. Only if you are accepted for a rotation will you be required to provide written documentation of current immunization.
If I Am Accepted
Q1: Will I receive an evaluation at the end of my rotation that can be used for school credit?
A: Yes, at the end of every rotation, you are required to receive an evaluation from your preceptor that can be used for school credit. We prefer that the evaluation form be provided by the school for this purpose.
Q2: My school does not provide professional liability and personal insurance. Can I purchase this on my own?
A: Yes. If the training agreement negotiated between the NIH and the student's medical/dental school does not specify that the school will provide both professional liability insurance and a personal health insurance policy to cover the student's stay at the NIH, the student must purchase this insurance. Liability insurance should be purchased, if necessary, only after a student is accepted and must be for a minimum of $1 million US dollars per occurrence and $3 million US dollars in the aggregate.
Q3: I would like to start my rotation (if accepted) on a date other than the first Monday of the month. Is this possible?
A: We ask that, and strongly encourage, accepted students start on the first Monday of a month to schedule them for required hospital training that is mandatory for their rotation at the NIH Clinical Center. We are aware that medical school curricula sometimes mandate different rotation dates for student participation and any exception based on such issues will need approval from the rotation director and the CEP administrator. Please note: if the first Monday of a month falls on a federal government holiday, students will start on the following day. Students are expected to complete their rotations on the end date specified at the time of acceptance. Any request for an early departure date must be approved in advance of the starting date.
Q4: If I were to be accepted for an elective, can I change the dates of my rotation?
A: Yes, but under limited circumstances. Provided that the rotation director can accommodate a student for alternate dates, it is possible to change the rotation dates once accepted.
Q5: If I applied for and was accepted for only one elective, can I apply for other elective rotations?
A: Yes. Students may apply for up to three (four week) electives for participation in up to 2 electives during any one academic year. Electives are highly specialized and competitive. It is recommended that students choose rotations that suit their particular field of interest. The total duration of all rotations is limited to 12 weeks.
Q6: Should I bring the white coat that was issued to me at my medical/dental school?
A: Yes, students should bring their own white coat as students are not issued white coats during their electives. Students should plan to wear appropriate professional attire suitable for patient care.
Q7: Do I need a parking permit in order to park on the NIH campus?
A: Yes. If you plan to commute by private vehicle to the NIH, you must purchase daily or monthly parking permits to cover parking during the rotation. Students are asked not to drive to the NIH on the first day of their elective, but to use MetroRail or MetroBus. Both modes of transportation have stations on the NIH campus. NIH does not reimburse parking or parking ticketing fees.
Q8: Are living quarters available on the NIH campus?
A: No living quarters are available on the NIH campus. Cafeterias in the Clinical Center and other NIH buildings offer meals at moderate prices. Students are responsible for making their own travel and living arrangements and for all costs associated with such arrangements.
For information on rooms for rent or other available housing in the area please call the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association-Housing Office at (301) 496-4600. You may also view the NIH Office of Training and Education's Moving Guide.
The regional subway and rail system is called the Metro. The "Medical Center" Metro stop and bus transportation center is located adjacent to the NIH campus and permits easy access from and to nearby areas in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. The NIH is located just 20 minutes from downtown Washington, DC.