I had the privilege to attend a research observership/elective at Johns Hopkins University in the department of physiology for 9 weeks. I think doing an observership in basic science research (physiology) is also a privilege, and generally you spend all your time in the lab where you can observe human medicine at the molecular level, including how DNA, RNA, and protein work at the cellular level. I spent all my 9 weeks in the lab observing and presenting literature connected with molecular and medical science.

This would be purely a nonclinical rotation in a basic science laboratory, and the following are the steps for how you can apply:

Process:

  1. Go to the JHU visiting medical student website and try to look at the PDF given for the availability of observerships. For most international medical students (depending on which medical school you are studying at), only research observerships/electives are available.

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/offices/registrars/visiting-md — Official website for visiting medical students

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/som/documents/_docs-offices/vismed_elective_book.pdf book in which you can find about undergoing projects of all faculties associated with JHU

  2. Try to find the preceptor's email ID using Google. Ex. Smit Jhu email ID—search this type of term in the search bar (most of the JHU preceptor’s email IDs are available online).

  3. Email the preceptor to formally request research under his/her preceptorship. Write down why you want to attend this specific research rotation and what your academic progress is. Do not attach a CV, because sometimes email may go to the spam folder due to the attached file.

  4. If the preceptor accepts you, apply through its official portal after conversion. This eventually goes to the preceptor, and if he or she approves your application in that portal, you will be officially considered accepted for this rotation.

  5. https://apply2.jhu.edu/apply/?sr=1b9298b7-8e52-4812-865d-e2410e925589 - Link 3

    Above is the link for applying to the research observership. Make sure to enter the preceptor name while applying through the portal.

    Why do you need prior email conversations with the preceptor? They usually get thousands of requests through the Vismed portal; nobody accepts them unless they know the person. And the only way to let them know that you are interested is through email.

  6. This is the screenshot of the home page after you create an account on link 3.

    Source - VISMED Portal - JHU

    Select the visiting medical student, and then a new application will be created.

  7. Then it’s a very simple process. You have to fill your basic details and name of the preceptor

    Only one time is taking a step for home school approval, in which you have to put your dean’s email address. Then JHU will send a request to verify your student status. Once someone from your dean's office accepts your request, the homeschool approval section will be considered complete.

  8. Once you submit the application, it goes to the preceptor to review.

  9. After acceptance from the preceptor, there will be an acceptance letter uploaded in the portal itself, which you can show as proof during immigration.

  10. You will be assigned a university email ID, and then you have to pay $500 as an application fee only after acceptance.

  11. ID badge and other instructions will be emailed to you once you pay the fees.

    That’s it. I hope you get accepted for the observership/elective at JHU. It was an amazing experience.

    Let me know if you have any questions through the link for a one-on-one session.

    Thank you!