M.D. Year 3

As Year 3 medical students at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) approach their final year, here are some tips and strategies to help you navigate this crucial stage and prepare for your upcoming transition into your final year and ongoing education.

Here's a few strategies we recommend to help you cultivate a competitive specialty:

• Focus on achieving high clerkship grades. Getting honors in a clerkship requires:
  • Excellent clinical skills, outstanding work ethic and teamwork
  • Strong preparation for the clerkship shelf exam
  • Going above and beyond the minimum expectations in the syllabus
  • Close communication with the clerkship director and coordinator
• Explore specialty interests with selectives: Knowing all about career options that exist ensures well-informed decisions.
• Attend the specialty advising workshops: These will help in planning your fourth-year schedule and strategy for away rotations. Plan to make your final specialty decision by April through June of your third year. Please note that all Year 3 students begin an intensive advising process in mid-Year 3 to prepare for fourth year.
• Check in with Student Affairs: Get the latest information on Match trends for your specialty and contact information for recent graduates.

Applying to Away Electives

Resources for students

Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VLSO)

Immunizations

Ensure your immunization records are up to date, including TB documentation and vaccinations for hepatitis and varicella. Some schools may have additional requirements, so research these to avoid application delays. Use the VSAS form to verify immunizations and check for any extra vaccinations or titers needed.

Transcripts

Request your transcripts online through the University of Nevada, Reno and have them sent directly to Brandi Aiazzi. If the University was your undergraduate institution, specify "Med only" or the dates you attended. There is a fee for transcripts. Wait for an email confirming that your Year 3 fall grades are posted before making the request to ensure all grades are included. If the University was your undergraduate institution, specify "Med only" or the dates you attended. There is a fee for transcripts. Wait for an email confirming that your Year 3 fall grades are posted before making the request to ensure all grades are included.

Away elective application timeline and strategies 

December/January

• Research electives online and narrow down potential institutions.
• Talk to your advisor about where you should apply for an elective for your specialty.
• Consider electives at a larger, well-known institutions for stronger letters of recommendation, especially for competitive specialties.
• Check out the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website. It includes a compendium of electives for all member medical schools.
• Check out the VSLO online application service.
• Attend electives workshops during your third year.
• Note that some schools may open electives as early as February; check the specific opening dates.

February/March

• Begin to research electives.
• Use the school's visiting student webpage to learn specific requirements and how early the school/program accepts applications. VSLO schools will have their own deadlines and they will all be different.

April/May 

• Complete your applications. Student Affairs will process and mail your non-VSLO applications and release your VSLO applications.
• Some electives may require a letter from a faculty member in the specialty area. You can request these for specific programs as needed.
• Be flexible—if your first-choice elective isn’t available, consider related options or other institutions with more suitable dates.

Planning for Year 4

January

• Year 3 Electives Workshops
• Students learn about the process, policies and guidelines for selecting and scheduling Year 4 elective courses
• Advising Workshops
• Students attend one or more of these workshops beginning in the winter to work with faculty advisors from their specialty area, along with career advisors to begin to finalize their schedules and specialty decisions

February

• Advising Workshops (continued)
• Students attend one or more of these workshops beginning in the winter to work with faculty advisors from their specialty area, along with career advisors to begin to finalize their schedules and specialty decisions
• Advanced Clinical Experience in Rural Medicine scheduling begins
• Students may begin applying for out-of-state electives through the VSLO

March

• Advanced Clinical Experience in Rural Medicine assignments released to students March
• Students begin contacting clinical departments for elective course scheduling in March
• Students continue applying for away electives through the VSLO

April

• Applying to Residency Workshop
• Students continue scheduling Year 4 electives
• Students continue to apply for away electives