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Elective Rotation Program Overview

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be in the clinical years of medical school
• Fluency in English is required; however, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test is not required
• Students must be in good academic standing to participate

Rotation Details

• Each elective rotation lasts four weeks
• Students may complete up to 12 weeks of rotations in total
• Rotations begin on the first Monday of each month

Note: For start dates in November, December, and January, please contact our office.

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted at least two months before the desired start date
• Once accepted, all remaining documents must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled start date

Logistics

• Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation
• A B-1/B-2 visa is recommended for international participants

Health & Safety

• FIU encourages all international medical students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to their involvement in patient care
• While FIU does not mandate vaccination, some clinical sites require full COVID-19 vaccination before students can begin clinical activities

Note: All required documents must be submitted via email to intmed@fiu.edu.

To submit with the application:

1. $300.00 non-refundable application fee (valid for one year from the day of payment)
2. FIU IVMS Application Form
3. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
4. Transcript
5. Scanned copy of passport
6. Clinical Rotation in Miami – Agreement form

Note: Documents will not be reviewed unless an application fee payment is received.

To submit after acceptance:

1. Professional Liability Insurance Verification Form: Signed by home institution’s registrar, dean, or authorized person

2. Immunization Form (signed by a Physician)
   

3. Proof of Flu Shot (ONLY during flu season, October – March)

4. 10-panel Drug Screen: Listed are the 10 drugs you could be screened for: Cocaine, Marijuana (THC, cannabinoids), Phencyclidine (PCP - angel dust), Amphetamines (including methamphetamines), Opiates (including heroin), Benzodiazepines (including valium, Xanax), Barbiturates, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Methaqualone (Quaaludes) or Ethanol/Alcohol. *If there is a positive screening result received when student has arrived for elective rotation, student will not be allowed to participate in the program and total payment is forfeited**
   

5. International Criminal Background Check must be submitted and be current until the end of your clinical rotation. Please note Background Check results may take up to 10 business days. All background checks must be ordered via: https://fiuinternational.complio.com/
6. HIPAA Certification “HIPAA for Health Care Workers”
7. Basic Life Support (BLS) card
8. Proof of Health Insurance
9. 1 Photo (passport size). Please note that proper attire is required, this means for the ladies a professional blouse and gentlemen a shirt & tie.
10. Malpractice Insurance Coverage. Malpractice/Liability Insurance minimums are $1 million per occurrence / $3 million aggregate. Policy must include FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine as certificate holder. Students choosing not to have malpractice coverage will only participate in the program as strict observers. Program costs remain the same.

Fees and Payment Information

Application Fee

All applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee of $300 USD.
Payment can be made via credit card or wire transfer.

Rotation Fee

The cost of a four-week clinical elective rotation is $3,000 USD.

Once your rotation is confirmed, you will receive a secure payment link and an electronic wire transfer instruction.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations must be submitted via email to int.med@fiu.edu. Due to program demand, a penalty of 10% of the program cost will be charged per rotation cancelled. Any cancellations received 59–31 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of 50% of the program cost. No shows and cancellations received 30 days or less prior to the start of the program are subject to the full program cost and no refunds will be given. Please note cancellation fees are based upon the date the written request is received by FIU.

Additionally, FIU shall have the right to cancel your participation in the program, and you will not be eligible for a refund of any program costs, if all required program documents are not submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to your scheduled start date.

Upon acceptance, all scheduled clinical elective dates are final. Any requested changes to the schedule shall result in an administrative fee of 10% of the total program cost. No more than two (2) changes on confirmed electives will be allowed. Program fee is valid for a year from the original payment date.

Clinical electives are subject to change by the Office of International Affairs due to capacity. Students will not be penalized for clinical elective changes made by the Office of International Affairs.

Note: The University will accept personal checks for amounts due to the University. These checks must be in the exact amount due only. The Student Financials Office will not accept checks above the amount due, third party checks or checks for cash. State law requires that a service fee be assessed on a check returned unpaid by the bank for any reason. Service fees are based on the amount of the unpaid check. Checks for $0.01 - $50.00 are charged a $25.00 fee; $50.01 - $300.00, a $30.00 fee; $300.01 -$800.00, a $40.00 fee; and a fee of 5% of the amount of the check for all checks greater than $800.00. Checks returned by the bank can be redeemed only by cash, cashier’s checks, or money orders. A personal check will not be accepted to replace a dishonored check. If a check is returned from an on-line payment, returned check fines will also be charged as per the amounts indicated above.

Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

Letters of recommendation are based on the student's performance during the rotation. Preceptors reserve the right to write the LOR, and it is the student’s responsibility to request and follow up on the status of the letter directly with the preceptor.

Note: The Office of International Affairs does not assist in the request or follow-up process.

Depending on the preceptor’s affiliation, LORs may be issued on the letterhead of a Hospital, Medical center, Ambulatory center or private practice.

LORs will not be issued on FIU letterhead. However, each letter will confirm that the student completed the rotation through the FIU International Visiting Medical Student Program, and the preceptor will include their FIU HWCOM faculty appointment title (e.g., Clinical Assistant Professor).

Receiving Your LOR:

There are two ways students may receive their LOR:

1. Waived Access
   • Students may choose to waive their right to view the letter.
   • In this case, the LOR is sent directly to the Office of International Affairs.
   • Once received, the student is notified, and the letter is stored in their file for five years.
2. Direct Delivery
   • Preceptors may send the LOR directly to the student.

Support for Residency Applications

The Office of International Affairs assists by:

• Uploading LORs to the AAMC portal on behalf of the preceptor.
• Certifying elective completion.
• Completing any additional forms required for residency applications.

Contact Us

For questions regarding LORs, please contact intmed@fiu.edu.