Application

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENTS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2010 is FEBRUARY 27, 2009.

It is strongly encouraged to submit applications prior to the deadline.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

How to Apply

Prerequisites

To be eligible for the Clinical Scholars Program, physicians must:

• be committed to a career consonant with the program's purposes and priorities;
• be highly regarded as physicians by those responsible for their clinical training;
• plan to complete the clinical requirements of their residency training by the date of entry into the program (except for surgeons). In addition, scholars may not hold appointments as subspecialty fellows during their tenure in the program; and
• be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories.

Stipends

Grants have been made to the four participating Funds universities in accordance with RWJF’s regular funding guidelines. Under the program, the universities provide scholars with their stipends and health insurance. The first-year scholar stipend is no less than $50,000 per year with an increase the second year. Stipends are set in accordance with policies at the respective institutions, and are comparable to stipends for similar research training positions at each institution. Financial support is available at each university for expenses associated with scholars’ research, including travel.

Applications and Further Information

Application period is now open. All applications must be received by February 27, 2009 11:59 PM EST.

Physicians who meet the eligibility requirements may apply online or contact the NPO:

Kristin Siebenaler, deputy director
Phone: (919) 843-1351
rwjcsp_admin@med.unc.edu

All applications are reviewed by the program’s NAC. RWJF does not provide individual critiques of applications submitted.

Important:
You must have received agreement from your references to write a letter on your behalf and be prepared to submit their names and their contact information (email, phone number, and mailing address) during the application. (They will receive an automated email when you submit your application.) You will not be allowed to proceed in the application without having submitted your references. We also recommend that you have your personal statement and CV data prepared ahead of time and then copy and paste into the online forms.

Your online application will include the following:

• Background information including: - Current contact information and contact information effective July 1, 2009; - The list of sites to which you are applying; - Citizenship; - Whether you are Board Eligible and which Board; - USMLE status, if applicable;

• Three reference letters, one of which must be from your current or most recent clinical program director. References should be able to comment on your clinical, leadership, and research skills. References must submit their letters online via the online application system. Please be prepared to provide an email address (and other contact information) so that your references can be contacted with insructions on how to make their submissions. The Clinical Scholars program requires that the applicant supply three letters of reference (do not send additional references as they will not be considered). Please list the names and addresses of the references. One of the references must be the Program Director of your present or most recent clinical training program. We suggest you direct your references to the Clinical Scholars program Web site for background information. Important: Before completing this section, make sure that the references listed below already have agreed to provide a letter of recommendation. You must submit all three references during this application process. As soon as you submit your information about your references, they will receive an email directing them to fill out a recommendation letter online. Thus, it is critical that the email addresses you provide are correct and current. Applicants will not be able to view the letters of recommendation through the Online Application System, nor will they be able to request copies of the letters from the program. All letters must be received by February 27, 2009 (11:59 PM EST). If we do not receive all three letters, your application will not be reviewed.

• Curriculum vitae - location and dates for education; - work experience including residency and fellowships as appropriate; - volunteer and community work experiences, committees or offices held; - your relevant leadership or service experience; - awards received; - publications and presentations;

• Personal statement describing why you are interested in the Clinical Scholars program including: - your specific training goals; - a brief description of a research project you might be interested in conducting as a Scholar; - your previous work or research experience; - your relevant leadership or service experience; - your longer-term career goals; The personal statement should not exceed the paper equivalent of 3 double-spaced pages in 12 point font with 1 inch margins (i.e. approximately 900 words);

Inquiries regarding the Clinical Scholars Program at Penn can be directed to rwjcsp@mail.med.upenn.edu.

Interview Information

Penn Interview Dates to be determined

Interviewees are expected to attend a group dinner the evening before their interview day. This dinner will include current Clinical Scholars, program directors and faculty, and fellow interviewees.  

Dinners will be held at an on campus restaurant.  Time and location will be confirmed along with interview details. 

Lodging
Below are some suggestions for lodging on and off the Penn campus.  You are responsible for hotel reservations and costs. 

On-Campus Lodging

Inn at Penn
3600 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-222-0200

Sheraton University City
3549 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-387-8000

Off-Campus Lodging

For off-campus lodging in center city Philadelphia, we strongly recommend Club Quarters, where a discounted rate is available to Penn guests. 

Club Quarter
1628 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-282-5100
Use “penn” as the password to sign in.

Other off-campus hotels that sometimes offer special rates to the University of Pennsylvania include Loews Hotel Philadelphia, The Rittenhouse, Four Seasons, The Ritz Carlton, The Warwick Radisson

Attire
Attire for the group dinner is casual.  Business attire is expected for your interview.  There may be a siginificant amount of walking across campus during your interview, so please keep in mind when planning your attire. 

Sample Interview Schedule
8:15 am Continental Breakfast – Overview of RWJ CSP at Penn
                 Tour of RWJ office facilities

9:00-9:45          Interview
10:00-10:45     Interview
11:00-11:45     Interview

12:00-12:45     Lunch with current Clinical Scholars, program directors and faculty

1:00-1:45         Interview
2:00-2:45         Interview
3:00-3:45         Interview

Interview schedules are emailed to applicants the week prior to the interview.  Last minute changes or additions may be emailed up to the day before. 

Maps of Campus
A map of the Penn Campus can be found at here. Click on a portion of the map for building details. Blockley Hall is located near the intersection of University Avenue and Civic Center Boulevard, between Guardian Drive and Curie Boulevard.

Helpful hints
It is advisable to come to your interview prepared.  Research the academic interests and publications of your interviewers, and review the campus map for the locations of your interviews.  While the office staff can help locate some interview locations for you, you will not be escorted to your interviews. 

When you arrive for the breakfast at Blockley Hall, it is advisable that you enter on Curie Boulevard through Stellar Chance Laboratories.  This door is open to visitors.  When you enter through Stellar Chance, take the stairs to your left.  At the top of the stairs, make a left into Blockley Hall.  Elevators are straight ahead. 

↑ Top of Page