1. Before filling out an Inquiry form, gather the information and materials listed below. You cannot save a draft of the form and return to it later; be prepared to complete the form and upload all documents in one sitting.
Gather the following information:
- Demographic information
- Name and email address of your home institution
- CV or resume
- Letter of support from your home institution. Download Template.
- Transcripts if enrolled as student in a degree granting program
- Degree and academic history information, including institution, major, start and end dates, and degree conferral date)
- English Proficiency (if applicable)
2. Once you’ve uploaded the documents and submitted the Inquiry form, you will receive an email notification with a PIN number needed to establish an account to check your status or upload new and/or revised documents as needed.
Document Descriptions
CV/Resume/Biosketch
A written description of an individual's educational background, research experience, and professional accomplishments.
Letter of Support
A letter directly from your home institution or employer confirming that you are in good standing. The home institution must support the visit in writing by outlining the specifics of the visit and the expected outcomes and benefits of the experience to the home institution. We will not accept letters from institutions where you are in a visiting status or temporary appointment.
Download Letter of Support Template.
NOTE: Applicants who are not current employees/trainees during the observer appointment are not eligible for an observer appointment at MD Anderson
Proof of Enrollment (Students Only)
Submit one of the following documents to confirm proof of enrollment:- Official transcripts providing evidence of current enrollment for the duration of the observer appointment
- A letter from a school official such as the Registrar, Student Affairs Office, or Dean's Office that includes the following:
- written on institutional letterhead;
- includes the date the document/verification was issued;
- includes an original signature, name, title, and contact information of the writer;
- includes an attestation that the applicant is currently a student at the institution;
- identifies the academic program/academic level, and;
- includes dates of enrollment - Dates of enrollment must cover the duration of the MD Anderson observer appointment.
English Proficiency
International Observers must provide proof of English language proficiency. Please refer to the list of approved exams and minimum score requirement below:
*Proficiency Exams/Minimum Score:
English proficiency exemptions:
- Applicants who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
- Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Applicants who have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country, and the country is on the English-Speaking Country and Territory List
- Applicants who are citizens from a country or territory listed on the English-Speaking Country and Territory List
We recommend achieving acceptable scores prior to submitting your application. Scores must be no more than two years old on the day you are scheduled to begin your observer appointment Failure to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement will impact our ability to review an application.
Additional Program Requirements
Please carefully review the requirements for each program on the Observer website. Some programs may require additional documents or information.
Final candidates will receive a conditional offer letter and a request to provide additional documents critical to the screening process needed for final approval of an appointment.
Immigration Documents must be submitted by all international candidates, including permanent residents
Upon receipt of a conditional offer letter, copies of any and all of of your immigration documents must be provided immediately upon receipt of an unofficial letter of appointment. Prompt attention to this step is recommended to avoid unnecessary delays related to receiving clearance from MD Anderson's VISA department.
Document examples:
Current and past passports;
U.S. Visa stamps with entry/exit stamps;
Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
I-94 Arrival/Departure Records;
Form I-20s,
DS-2019s,
I-797A Approval/Receipt Notices,
green card, etc.
Immediately upon receipt of a conditional offer letter, all candidates should perform prompt action to provide evidence of vaccines received for preventable diseases as specified by MD Anderson.
CastleBranch is the company that manages this process and immunization clearance. An administrative fee of $24 is required for this service. To avoid delays, create your account with CastleBranch and submit all required documents as early as possible.
Click here to access the list of required immunizations