Mission
The University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) encourages medical students interested in pursuing external ophthalmology rotations to apply for the Visiting Students in Ophthalmology (ViSiO) Scholarship.
Goals
The DOVS Visiting Student Program aims to increase interest in ophthalmology and raise program awareness among medical students while providing support and mentorship for visiting learners.
Application Considerations
Accepted visiting students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. When completing your application, please consider addressing the following:
- What draws you to a career in ophthalmology.
- Experiences that have shaped your interest in the field.
- What you hope to learn or accomplish during your rotation with DOVS.
- How you will contribute to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of the program, such as through:
- Financial hardship
- Extensive community service (local, state, national, or international)
- Successful pursuit of other careers or educational endeavors
- Overcoming academic, or professional challenges
Program Benefits
- Individualized Learning Experience: Work closely with a diverse group of distinguished ophthalmology faculty on a personalized rotation schedule tailored to your interests and goals.
- $3,000 Scholarship: Recipients receive a taxable stipend of $3,000 to help offset expenses such as application and elective fees, travel, and living costs.
Mentorship & Networking: Gain hands-on exposure to the field of ophthalmology and visual sciences through dedicated mentorship from faculty ophthalmologists. Recipients will have opportunities to collaborate with residents, fellows, and faculty on clinical experiences, research projects, and conference presentations—building meaningful professional connections.
Program Details
Rotations are four weeks in duration and available to full-time, fourth-year medical students in good standing who are currently enrolled in an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school. The program is offered during the summer months, and awards will be granted to applicants on a competitive basis.
Application Process
This competitive scholarship is open to fourth-year medical students who have expressed interest in applying for a visiting student rotation with the University of Wisconsin Ophthalmology Program. All VSLO application materials must be submitted by June 15, and only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
To apply for this scholarship, please submit the following materials to DOVS Education at medstudents@ophth.wisc.edu by June 15:
- Current CV
- Unofficial Transcripts
- USMLE 1 score
- Letter of Intent (300 words or less, describe your interest in ophthalmology and your goals for this rotation)
- Completed scholarship application form
Selection Process
A committee will carefully review all applications and select scholarship recipients based on their demonstrated interest in ophthalmology, engagement in local or global community service, commitment to contributing to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of the UW medical student program, and potential to excel within a rigorous educational environment.
Contact Us
For additional information, please visit our webpage at https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/education/visiting-medical-students/, or contact the Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator, Jessica Benton, at medstudents@ophth.wisc.edu.