Fourth-Year Student FAQs
What year do I have to be to utilize the program?
Third-year and fourth-year students are welcome to sign up for the program.
Fourth-year students will be matched with alumni during interview season from October through January.
Third-year students will be matched with alumni from January through March.
Do you guarantee that a host will be available for me?
We will try our best to find a host in the area you have requested, but we cannot guarantee that a host will be available.
Contacting busy physicians sometimes takes a bit of time, so please be patient with us in finding you a host. The sooner a request is submitted, the more likely you are to be matched with a host.
If a host is not available, you will be notified.
Who are the host volunteers?
All hosts are SKMC alumni and post-graduate alumni from the Jefferson Health system who have agreed to participate in the Alumni Host Program.
Where are hosts available?
There are Jefferson alumni throughout the country—so there are potentially hosts anywhere you are interviewing.
What can I expect from the host?
Alumni hosts may provide invaluable professional insight on the community, the hospital, and your prospective residency program. It is important to note, alumni may prefer to either schedule your visit via phone or video chat. Every Alumni Host Program experience will be different and you will benefit every time you use the program.
How do I sign up to utilize the Alumni Host Program?
Fill out the Student Request Form!
For fourth-year students, we ask that you let us know about your interviews as soon as possible so we can have time to contact and find a host for you. At least two weeks advance notice is appreciated, but we understand that interviews change frequently and we will try to accommodate requests that do not have the two-week advance notice.
Should I contact my alumni host?
After you have completed the online Student Request Form, we will begin looking for an alumni host in the requested area/specialty. If a host is available and interested, we will then provide you with their information and ask you to confirm you are interested. Once we receive confirmation, an email introduction will be made by the Office of Alumni Relations. It is then up to you to promptly follow up with your host to arrange your meeting either by phone or video chat. We ask that you contact them as soon as we give you their information so plans can be confirmed.
How far in advance should I contact my host?
Contact your host as soon as we give you their information, regardless of how early you are matched with a host. PROMPT CONTACT IS VERY IMPORTANT! You should contact them again closer to the date of your arranged meeting as a reminder.
What do I do if my plans change or my interview gets cancelled?
We understand that plans change—but it is very important to contact your host and Alumni Relations as soon as possible and let them know. If you need to reschedule, we would be happy to work with the volunteer to see if the date change works or look for another alumni volunteer if the new date should not work.
Do I need to do anything after the visit is over?
Yes, we ask that you send a thank you note to your alumni host. Please also contact Alumni Relations at alumni@jefferson.edu to share your feedback. That way, we can use the information to improve further host connections.