Residency Training Program

Funded Visiting Electives for Students Underrepresented in Medicine

The University of Washington (UW)/Seattle Children’s Hospital is excited to solicit applications for our funded visiting rotation! As the first pediatric-specific visiting diversity student program created in 2005, we are excited to invite you to join us!

Program Description

Funded medical student rotations in Pediatrics will be available at Seattle Children's Hospital from June through December 2024 for qualified applicants who are planning to apply to pediatric residencies and who are committed to contributing to a physician workforce that prioritizes and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusivity. This includes students with a demonstrated interest and participation in diversity programs, those who have overcome significant barriers in their pathway to medicine, those who are involved in activities and/or organizations that serve diverse and/or marginalized communities (e.g., Association of American Indian Physicians, Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association, Latino Medical Student Association, Student National Medical Association, etc.) and those who attend(ed) institutions that have historically served marginalized learners (e.g., Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, etc.). Students of all backgrounds are invited to apply. Funding includes up to $2,500 for reimbursement of travel, housing, meals and application fees.

Students will spend four weeks either on one of our inpatient medicine teams (General Medicine, Hematology-Oncology) or as a Nephrology elective student caring for patients in the clinic and on the wards. Other subspecialty electives may be considered based on availability. Students completing an acting internship will do three weeks of day shifts and one week of night shifts. Elective students will spend time in subspecialty clinics and on inpatient consult teams.  

Visiting students will be paired with a resident and faculty mentor based on their stated interests and interact with residents and faculty who are part of our Residency Diversity Committee. In addition, applicants chosen for the program are guaranteed an interview for our residency in Pediatrics at the UW.

Application Requirements

This program is open to applicants who are in their final year at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education–accredited or Education Department of the American Osteopathic Association–accredited medical school. Students attending international medical schools or schools that are not accredited by the above organizations should refer to these policies. Applicants must provide the following:

  • Statement of interest in pediatrics and the visiting rotation at Seattle Children's Hospital (one-page limit). Consider the following prompts when writing:
    • What personal attributes, life experiences, strengths and/or challenges impact your future as a physician in interacting effectively with diverse patients and your peers?
    • Describe an experience in which you have encountered or confronted inequities in the health sciences.
    • Discuss your motivation and interest in pediatrics, considering how you will contribute to diversity, equity and/or inclusivity in the field.
  • One letter of recommendation, preferably from a pediatric attending
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Official medical school transcript
  • Completed Diversity Funded Elective Application (DOCX)
  • Completed Visiting Student Learning Opportunities application

We will start accepting applications on March 1, 2024. The application deadline is June 21, 2024. However, the program utilizes a rolling admission process in which students are accepted or waitlisted at the time of their submission of a complete application.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Residency Diversity Committee. Applicants who are accepted for a funded rotation must also apply to and be accepted by the UW Visiting Student Program. Interested students should review that program's requirements.

Applicants not selected for the funded rotation may still apply for unfunded acting internships and electives.

We are happy to answer questions regarding our program and connect you with individuals with shared interest from our residency diversity committee. Please email us with questions (subject line: Diversity Visiting Elective).