Department of Neurology

Christina Marra Visiting Scholars Rotation

Overview

The Christina Marra Visiting Scholars Program is a funded program designed to provide an immersive month-long exposure to the broad range of opportunities and subspecialty care within the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington. The program welcomed its first scholars in 2022 and seeks to continue to welcome a diverse group of scholars with varied life experiences.

Program Description

Scholarships for medical student rotations will be available from June through December for qualified applicants who are interested in applying to neurology residencies. Funding includes up to $2500 reimbursement for expenses related to travel, housing, and application fees.

Visiting students will spend four weeks rotating through the inpatient services and outpatient clinics at the University of Washington and/or Harborview Medical Center. Two weeks will be spent on either the inpatient neurology service or inpatient consult service, and 2 weeks will be spent rotating throughout a variety of outpatient subspecialty clinics. We will try our best to accommodate any particular subspecialty interests, depending on scheduling availability. Adult and Pediatric tracks are available. During the rotation students will be paired with a faculty mentor and resident ambassador. They will also have the opportunity to meet with the residency program director and the chair of the department.  Students who receive the scholarship will be given special consideration for an interview with the University of Washington Neurology Residency Program or Pediatric Neurology Residency program.

Click here to view sample rotation schedules for the Adult Track and Pediatric Track.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Funding is available to 3rd or 4th year medical students who demonstrate academic excellence, are interested in a career in Neurology, and who have overcome significant barriers or traveled a great distance on their way to achieve becoming a physician. Attention will be given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, however, involvement in these activities is not strictly required. Students from all racial/ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 
  • If applying as a 3rd year student, it is best if you have completed the first half of your 3rd year clerkships including successful completion of at least one of the following rotations: internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, or pediatrics.
  • Applicants must be in good standing at an LCME or AOA accredited US medical school
  • Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria for rotating at UW as described in VSAS.

How to Apply

Applications are closed for the 2024-2025 academic year, but will reopen for the 2025-2026 academic year in the early Spring of 2025

Application Materials should be submitted by April 19th with rolling applications accepted thereafter based on availability. Please submit application materials via email to uwneuroscholarships@uw.edu with Christina Marra Visiting Scholars Application in the subject line.

  1. Completed UW Neurology Visiting Scholars application including answers to the essay questions: Application 
  2. One letter of Recommendation (submitted via email to uwneuroscholarships@uw.edu)
  3. CV 
  4. Medical School transcript (unofficial)

Please note, students must also complete the UW VSAS application for either NEURL 686 (Adult Neurology Clerkship) or NEURL 688 (Pediatric Neurology Clerkship). You must be eligible for acceptance via VSAS to be selected for this opportunity. For more information on how to apply to UW VSAS visit.