Fourth Year Medical School Elective Rotations

• Senior Students interested in our program may wish to consider an elective within our Department.  A catalog of available electives is posted at the Visiting Students' homepage. Most questions can be answered by their FAQs section.
  
• All visiting student applications must go through the Office of Visiting Students. Do not contact the departments directly.
• Stipends are available from the Office of Diversity to support students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to pursue a senior elective at Northwestern. Detailed information regarding these stipends can be found here. 

Personal Perspective

Notes from former visiting students:

John Cluley, MD: PGY3

"When I rotated at Northwestern, my responsibilities were as much as any 4th year med student.  Seeing usually one new consult a day, plus follow ups, attending morning report and noon conferences, all of which really gave a great demonstration of what it was like being a resident here.

As a student on the GI inpatient consult service, I spent most of my time with residents and fellows, but had quality interactions with my attendings as well during daily rounds and procedures. I got a great impression from the residents and fellows with whom I worked, noting that not only were they hard workers, but they were nice and happy as well. Overall my away rotation at Northwestern was a great experience." John Cluley

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Rachel-Maria Brown, MD: PGY1"I was fortunate to have the inside scoop on the fabulousness that is Northwestern Medicine. As a lifelong east coaster, I did not know much about life in Chicago. So, I decided the best way to make a decision about my rank list would be to spend quality time in Chicago at the institution I would most like to train.

I was accepted to the Acute Cardiac Care rotation at Northwestern and spent 4 weeks in the CCU as an acting intern. A typical day involved managing acute coronary syndromes and cardiogenic shock, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation with hemodynamic instability, acute heart failure exacerbations and much more. Daily rounds were notable for high yield teaching pearls on pressor and inotrope titration, antiarrythmic therapies, invasive blood pressure monitoring and support. And, despite of the high stakes, high stress environment of the CCU, I looked forward to coming to work. From the residents to the nurses to the respiratory therapists, I had an endless supply of enthusiastic teachers. By the end of four weeks, I could even say I had made some friends.

My time in the NMH CCU was challenging, highly educational and also enjoyable. My away rotation allowed me to experience what life would be like as a resident at Northwestern. The mix of Midwestern cordiality and uncompromising high educational standards helped me decide on Northwestern my first choice for residency." Rachel-Maria Brown