Leonard C. Akman, MD '43 Scholarship

Requirements and Selection Criteria

Overview

The Leonard C. Akman, MD ‘43 Scholarship provides third and fourth-year medical students with the opportunity to enrich and diversify their medical education, broaden their public health knowledge, and deepen their commitment to services by supporting experiential learning abroad. Scholarships of $2,500/student will be awarded to support global health opportunities through SMHS/IMP or credible third-party organizations.

Academic/Eligibility Requirements

Third and fourth-year medical students who are in good academic standing may apply for this program.

For Clinical Electives: Students participating in a clinical elective should have completed the core clinical rotations (2 months each in internal medicine, primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, surgery, and psychiatry).

Non-Eligible Students

  • Students accepting any other scholarships or fellowships for their proposed international opportunity. (Supplemental funding may be allowed. However, it must be reviewed and approved by the Office of International Medicine Programs in advance).

Program Requirements

  • The program must take place in Academic Year 2017-2018
  • The content of the proposed program will be substantive in scope and educational value with well-defined objectives and intended outcomes.
  • The proposed program will have the support of a faculty mentor either at the home institution or at the host organization.
  • The program will be 2-4 weeks in length, and the proposed program objectives or intended outcome must be achievable within that time frame.
  • The final award is dependent on final approval from the host site.

Application Requirements

All Applicants should provide an original application in PDF format only.

  • CV
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Scholarship essay: Please explain how your project relates to Global Health. Explain what impact your project will have on the healthcare community. Explain how you will use this project to further your educational and career goals.

In addition to the requirements listed above, applicants participating in an elective at a non-GW affiliated site should provide the following:

  • Verification of host site and mentor support – letter/s of support from mentor or mentors if the elective is through a third-party organization unaffiliated with GW.

Selection Criteria

  • Academic excellence
  • Completion of core clinical rotations (for clinical electives)
  • Career goals; previous relevant experience; and special skills such as language knowledge
  • Relevance of program to students’ long-term goals
  • Quality of the infrastructure and support by the mentor/host organization

Reporting Requirements

  • A presentation for a group, which may include the donors, dean’s office, and selection committee. An additional presentation to students or others may also be scheduled.
  • A completed evaluation by the host site of the scholar’s performance.
  • A reflection paper describing the scholar's project, experience and any results and implications of the project (results and implications must be addressed for all research projects). The paper is due within two weeks of the conclusion of the program.
  • A “Thank you” letter to the donor for their generous contribution and support. In addition, IMP should be provided with a copy of this letter.
  • Photographs (3 to 5 is acceptable) from your clinical rotation experience.

Application Submission

Please submit your application to the Office of International Medicine Programs. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Please submit the application in the following order as one PDF document: CV; essay; personal statement, two letters of recommendation and unofficial transcript.

Should you have any questions, please contact Kara Woodman via email: kwoodman@gwu.edu.