How Do I Get an Infectious Disease Fellowship?

There are several steps to take before applying for an infectious disease fellowship, and students should research the requirements of several programs before organizing an educational plan. Most fellowship programs require an advanced degree, experience, and an impeccable academic record. This is a very specified area in the medical profession, and particular coursework will be required to obtain a medical degree with an infectious disease focus. Due to the competitiveness of medical school programs, students should begin working on their math and science skills early in the education process. There are additional preparations that can be made before medical school, including volunteering in hospitals, working in medical centers, and studying a wide variety of medical procedures.

Students should seek an accredited four year college to obtain their bachelor's degree, but they may be able to locate a school that has a seven year medical program, which would enable the student to complete all necessary coursework in a seven year stretch. Four year programs are most common and may offer pre-medical studies as a part of the degree program. Aside from a heavy focus in general sciences, students should enroll in microbiology, physiology, anatomy, and other advanced sciences pertaining to the human body. These courses should begin to prepare the student for the medical school entrance process, and good grades in medical based coursework will enhance his or her chance of receiving an infectious disease fellowship.

After the completion of general medicine coursework in medical school, the next step is to enroll in a number of infectious disease courses, including immunology, vaccinology, biology of infection and microbiology, and biotechnology. Excellence in coursework and fieldwork will be essential for acceptance of an infectious disease fellowship. Residencies generally follow the successful completion of medical school, and students usually must practice internal medicine before progressing to their intended area of expertise. A residency program may take three or four years and will focus on the specialized medical area after displaying competency in general medicine. Infectious disease fellowship program consultants will review all work as a resident and may require a letter of recommendation from this department.

Most areas have board certification exams that are taken to practice medicine in the given location, and scores from these exams are also needed to obtain a infectious disease fellowship. A completed application, letters of recommendation, personal statements, test scores, and transcripts are required to be considered for an infectious disease program, which is usually followed by an invitation to interview with the fellowship board. There are a select number of fellowship slots, and not all applying students will be admitted. Due to the limited fellowship offers, students must display excellent communication, writing, and critical thinking skills in addition to having a superior academic history. Most of these fellowship programs are three years long and focus on clinical training and research.