How do I get an Internal Medicine Fellowship?

There are two primary routes to getting an internal medicine fellowship, and one requires the student to complete his or her medical residency and the other option is to apply to a fellowship program before beginning a residency. The requirements differ slightly, but both options are based on the completion of several degree programs, certification, and various exam scores. Applications for an internal medicine fellowship are extensive, and the programs are often highly competitive. Students should research all requirements, eligibility statements, and processes for fellowships early in his or her college career.

A few needed steps are to complete a four year undergraduate program, achieve a bachelor's degree, and apply to medical school. Most countries require students to take a specific examination before being considered for accredited medical schools. Medical school typically takes at least four years and serves as preparation for residencies and certification exams. Those who wish to directly enter an internal medicine fellowship before beginning his or her residency will have to contact each program that he or she is interested in. By contacting each program director, he or she will be able to determine what the minimal requirements for applying are.

Certification exams are unavoidable, but most countries have several sections of the exam that are completed separately. Some internal medicine fellowship programs only require students to pass one or two of the sections before qualifying. A fellowship does not replace a residency, which will have to be performed before practicing medicine in most countries. Once the student has found the appropriate program and completed all requirements, he or she should begin the application process.

The most common application usually has a number of sections beginning with checking the program he or she is applying to and listing personal information. Citizenship, current position, and related activities are a few of the shorter sections on the application. College education, medical school, test scores, hospital or teaching appointments other than those listed in the training section, and any residency programs or other postdoctoral training and fellowships are the bulk of the application. Students should organize his or her information before starting the application.

After the completion of all necessary paperwork, students usually have to send at least four letters of recommendation, copies of all college, graduate school, and medical school transcripts, and a specified number of personal statements. These requirements may vary depending on the internal medicine fellowship program and location that the student is applying to. Due to the competitive nature of these programs, not all students will be accepted.