Medical Student Affairs

The Advisory Colleges at the University of Louisville School of Medicine offer an invaluable support system to help students thrive throughout their medical education. Designed to foster community and mentorship, this program ensures students build strong relationships with peers, faculty and alumni. Upon matriculation, each medical student is assigned to one of six Advisory Colleges: Moore, Bodine, Fitzbutler, Gross, Ganzel, or Pickett—each named after prominent historical figures in medicine with ties to the university.

The colleges provide students with multiple layers of support, including an Advisory Dean, an upper-class mentor and a peer group within their college, creating a robust network for academic and personal guidance. The Advisory Deans play an active role in students' progress, offering insights into wellness, academic success and career planning, while mentors from the class ahead help ease the transition into the rigors of medical school.

Throughout the year, students take part in key events that promote community building, including the College Cup, Dinner with the Deans and the ULSOM Outreach Day. These events help integrate students into their college communities and allow them to form lasting relationships across all four years of their medical education.

The Advisory Colleges are not only a source of camaraderie but also a foundation for academic and professional development, making the University of Louisville School of Medicine's unique structure a vital part of the medical student experience.

The Medical Student Affairs Office Learning Team is dedicated to helping every medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine to achieve academic excellence through the development of learning skills by offering holistic support and cultivating self-empowerment.

Services We Provide:

• Academic and learning coaching for all students. Including explorations of learning strategies, executive functioning skills and test-testing strategies.
• Academic tracking throughout the curriculum for all students to provide support as needed
• Support with LEAD Tutor program
• Support with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Referral to appropriate resources, such as: psychological testing, counseling and/or health services as needed
• Board preparation support that includes workshops, student panels and peer-led learning programs
• Library of scholarly resources for students to rent (housed within the Office of Student Affairs)

As you begin your medical journey, the Medical Student Affairs Career Planning Team is here to guide you in discovering, planning and securing your ideal residency and career path. Whether you have a specialty in mind or are still exploring, the career planning program at ULSOM provides the tools and support to help you succeed.

From M1 through Match Day, we offer personalized advising, workshops and specialty exploration opportunities. You’ll build your CV, engage in career events and receive guidance from career advisors, faculty and residency program directors.

Our mission is the ensure you have the resources to confidently decide and pursue your chosen specialty. We’re here to support you every step of the way through career activities, advising, mentoring and residency preparation tools.

Career planning and residency acronyms
 

AAMC – Association of American Medical Colleges
AMA – American Medical Association
AUA – American Urological Association
CiM – Careers in Medicine
CV – Curriculum Vitae
ERAS – Electronic Residency Application Service
FREIDA – Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database
MSPE – Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean’s letter)
NC – Noteworthy Characteristics
NRMP – National Resident Matching Program
ROL – Rank Order List
SF Match – San Francisco Match
VSLO – Visting Student Learning Opportunities

The University of Louisville School of Medicine offers a vibrant array of student clubs and organizations that provide enriching extracurricular opportunities. Whether you're looking to connect with peers, develop leadership skills or simply enjoy some downtime, you'll find something that suits your interests. 

Students can join the Surgery Interest Group (SIG) for hands-on surgical experience, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) to promote diversity and service in medicine or the Wilderness Medicine Club to explore outdoor medical scenarios. For those interested in research and innovation, the Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship group offers a platform to develop creative solutions in healthcare. The Pediatrics Club allows students to engage with professionals in child health, while the Global Health Initiative provides opportunities to explore healthcare in international contexts. Additionally, the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) supports spiritual growth within the medical community. 

These organizations and many more foster community and offer avenues to enhance both your medical training and personal growth, making your time at UofL even more fulfilling.

The Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to providing financial assistance to MD students enrolled in the School of Medicine. We encourage you to thoroughly review the various aid programs available at UofL to make informed decisions regarding your financial options. The responsibility for staying informed and choosing the appropriate methods of financing your medical education rests with you and your family.

The Standardized Patient Program is a critical component of undergraduate medical education at the University of Louisville. Designed to provide a safe and supportive environment, the SP Program helps healthcare students develop the essential skills they need to become exceptional practitioners.

Welcome to the University of Louisville School of Medicine! Each year, the Visiting Student Elective Program receives many applications to participate in elective experiences with the School of Medicine and the affiliated hospitals. Through these programs, students have the opportunity to learn, lead, serve and care of patients through innovative experiences at the University of Louisville and participation with affiliated hospitals:

• UofL Hospital
• Norton Healthcare
• Brown Cancer Center
• UofL Health - Jewish Hospital
• Norton Children's Hospital
• UofL Health - Frazier Rehabilitation Institute
• Kentucky Lions Eye Center

Our clinical elective program accepts applications from schools that are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Education Department of the American Osteopathic Association. To find out more about our clinical elective course descriptions, please click here.

Application Process:

Important Dates:

• Date TBD: Students may apply for away rotations on VSLO
• Date TBD: Departments begin reviewing applications
• Date TBD Away rotations begin

How to Apply:

Our application process for visiting students is processed using VSLO. The following documents are required when processing applications:

• Photograph
• AAMC Standardized Immunization Form
• Transcript (Uploaded by Home Institution)
• Current CV / Resume
• Verification of HIPAA and OSHA training
• ACLS and BLS certification
• Proof of Malpractice Insurance (Uploaded by Home Institution)
  • Malpractice Insurance must be $1 million per occurrence / $3 million aggregate (Minimum Coverage)

The University of Louisville School of Medicine does participate in the Universal Clinical Training Agreement for Visiting Students and Externships. Please click here for more information.

If you are accepted for a rotation, the following documents will be required:

• Mask Fit Test
• Blank Evaluation
• COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation
• EMR Access Form

Contact:

For more information, please contact the department directly using the contact table below. If you have general questions contact Morris Harris or VSLO at vslo@aamc.org, or (202) 478-9878.

Requests can be made in VSLO during the application process for different clinical elective dates depending department approval.

Technology is integrated throughout the medical school curriculum. Incoming students should be prepared to use a School of Medicine–issued MacBook Pro as their primary academic computer.

Students do not need to purchase a separate laptop specifically for the MD program. The Academic Technology Office provides and manages the required MacBook Pro, configures it for School of Medicine systems, and supports students throughout the program. You are required to use this device for all high-stakes exams.

School of Medicine–Issued MacBook Pro

Device specifications vary by class cohort:

What Incoming Students Should Have

Before beginning the program, students should have:

• Reliable home internet access
• A smartphone capable of supporting multifactor authentication
• Access to their UofL account and university email once credentials are issued
• Basic familiarity with email, web browsers, video meetings, file storage, and office applications

A tablet or smartphone may be useful as a supplemental device, but it does not replace the School of Medicine–issued MacBook Pro for required coursework and examinations.

Software and Accounts

The School of Medicine will provide access to required software. These may include RedMed (Learning Management System), Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft OneDrive, Panopto, Examplify, NBME Mac Secure Browser, Elevate LearningSpace, New Innovations, UWorld, Adobe Creative Cloud, MedAffinity, and clinical systems used later in the curriculum.

Incoming students do not need to purchase these programs independently. During orientation week, you will receive access to the Academic Technology Office Internal Page, which includes instructions for accessing and using university software, as well as expectations and requirements for its appropriate use in academic and clinical settings. Your university email account will become available once you are listed as an active student. Access to all other learning systems will be provided during orientation week.

Technology Support

The Academic Technology Office assists incoming students with MacBook Pro distribution and setup, required software installation, account-access questions, examination software preparation, RedMed, Panopto, Microsoft 365, and device troubleshooting at orientation.

Academic Technology Office
Phone: 502-852-7476
Email: atosupport@louisville.edu

Students with questions about technology requirements or whether additional equipment is needed should contact the Academic Technology Office before making a purchase.