Student Fellowship

"A remarkable opportunity for any medical student eager to delve into this field... an invaluable experience, mentorship, and a clear trajectory in a challenging and deeply rewarding specialty."  more

Post-Sophomore Fellowship in Pathology

The student fellowship in Anatomic Pathology and/or Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Pathology) provides medical students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge, gain a foundational pathology education, and receive hands-on experience working alongside our residents, staff, and faculty. There are also many opportunities for research and independent study.

The structure of the fellowship year is somewhat flexible to permit the student to tailor the program to their individual interests.

Program Objectives
     •  Enhance the student's understanding of pathology as a basic science and
        field of medical practice.
     •  Educate students in the appropriate use of laboratory information in clinical
        problem solving.

Students in this program take a year out from medical school (usually between third and fourth years) and spend it in the Department, functioning like a PGY1 Resident. This program has been run by the Department since 1983 and has been a transformative year for many physicians, regardless of their future subspecialty. Graduates of the student fellowship have matched at top residencies at prestigious institutions, gone into every possible specialty, and become respected physician leaders.

Curriculum

Each student fellow works with the fellowship director to arrange a program that is most consistent with their specialized interests and goals.

Within Anatomic Pathology, the student fellow spends at least three months on the Surgical Pathology service and two months on the Autopsy service, with opportunities to rotate in additional areas such as Cytopathology, Neuropathology, Pediatric Pathology, etc. depending on interest. Responsibilities are similar to those of a PGY1 resident. Additionally, three months of the fellowship are devoted to research and investigation of a problem in disease etiology and diagnosis under staff guidance.

Within Laboratory Medicine, time may be spent in one to three of the major laboratories (Chemistry, Coagulation, Hematology/Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Pathology/Center for Personalized Diagnostics). Usually, student fellows rotate through two of these service areas and may spend the remaining time engaged in intensive research and study in a third area.

Stipends and Perks

The student fellow will earn $35,000, which may be taken as a monthly stipend during the fellowship year or may be issued at the end of the year as a fellowship award to be applied towards the following year’s medical school tuition.

The Department provides a $1,000 educational fund to be used towards books, electronic resources, or other materials to support learning.

Travel/conference funding is available to support students who present their student fellowship research project at a national/international meeting.

Liability insurance is provided to the pathology student fellow as a “non-eligible resident within their course and scope of duties with the University of Pennsylvania Health System.”

Eligibility

The student fellowship is open to current U.S. medical students only; visa sponsorship is not available. Individuals who have already received an MD or equivalent advanced degree are not eligible. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed their core Medicine and Surgery clinical rotations.

Maintenance of personal health insurance is required. 

Applications

Applications are accepted year round on a rolling basis but are preferred before January 1st for an anticipated start date in June or July of the same year. 

Please submit application and supporting documentation via email to Dr. Roseann Wu.

• Completed student fellowship application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three (3) letters of recommendation

Testimonials

"Penn's Student Fellowship in Pathology is a remarkable opportunity for any medical student eager to delve into this field, because it involves almost the same roles and responsibilities as a first-year resident. It offers an invaluable experience, mentorship, and a clear trajectory in a challenging and deeply rewarding specialty."  -- Charlie

"In just this short period of time, I've learned so much about pathology and its various subspecialties. So far, I've spent 6 weeks in cytopathology where we get plenty of patient interaction through fine needle aspirations and smearing. Through the year, I'll be getting hands on experience as a first-year resident in various rotations like autopsy, microbiology, surgical pathology, transfusion medicine, hemepath, and elective time. This is a great opportunity for experience and you will get ample opportunity for research/projects."  -- Jauntéa 

"The Penn PSF provides medical students with an immersive experience in pathology through rotations in core services and electives and support from attendings and residents in completing the duties and responsibilities of a PGY-1 resident. This unique opportunity introduces student fellows to aspects of medicine not covered in the standard medical school curriculum and enriches the training all of future physicians regardless of specialty choice."  -- Matt 

"It's a challenging program with a steep learning curve, but it’s an extremely rewarding experience as you build a solid foundation in medical knowledge and pathophysiology, regardless of your future specialty. You'll also get exposed to an academic medicine setting, where you'll have plenty of opportunities for research, teaching, and presentations."  -- Joe