MedLink Scholars

Joining MedLink Scholars is completely free. There are no membership dues or hidden fees—you will never be charged to participate in MLS or any of its subgroups.

Some specialty subgroups, such as Dermatology and Orthopedic Surgery, have their own dedicated sign-up forms. If you are interested, be sure to visit the subgroup pages and complete their individual registration.

The only potential costs are journal article processing charges (APCs), which are fees required by journals for publishing peer-reviewed research. These charges are not paid to MedLink Scholars and are solely associated with journal publication. Please refer to the Member Fees tab below for more information.

All MedLink Scholars opportunities—including guest events, Journal Club, and Glow Forward—are free to participate in.

Starting a Glow Forward chapter does not require any personal financial commitment; fundraising efforts are supported by the club and their school’s resources. Chapter leaders should never feel responsible for financial stress—often all you need is a cardboard box and community engagement to launch a successful Glow Forward donation drive.

There are no member fees to join MedLink Scholars or to participate in research projects. The only potential cost is the article processing charge (APC) required by journals when publishing a manuscript.

All journals have APC fees, including high-impact publications such as JAAD and JAMA. For example:

• JAAD charges USD $4,200 for open-access publication.

• JAMA Network Open (a fully open-access JAMA journal) charges USD $4,000 for research articles.

MedLink Scholars strives to identify quality journals with lower or negotiated APC fees to reduce the financial burden on students. While some allopathic medical schools and select osteopathic programs (e.g. Alabama COM with Cureus) cover these costs, most students do not have institutional support.

Because of this, MedLink Scholars emphasizes transparency—students are asked to discuss estimated APC costs with the first author before committing to a project. The first author will handle the collection of APC fees using methods of their choice (Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, Zelle, etc.). Students may request receipts from the first or submitting author, but money should never be sent to leadership unless they are the first/submitting author.

Final fees cannot be confirmed until a manuscript is submitted, but ballpark estimates are based on the target journal. PubMed-indexed, open-access journals typically have higher APCs than lower-impact journals.

MedLink Scholars does sell some merchandise and career development services through its store. These items are completely optional and not required for success within the program. Individuals offering services deserve to be compensated for their time and products. Running MedLink Scholars is expensive—Squarespace, Mailchimp, website fees, and more are covered by leadership personally. Leadership has always paid these costs out of pocket because they believe in the cause and supporting medical students. We have never requested membership fees or participation fees. Any financial income from the store does not come close to covering the expenses of running MedLink Scholars, and again, these items are entirely optional.

MedLink Scholars regularly hosts virtual events for students, covering a wide range of topics led by invited guest speakers.

Subgroups such as DermLink Scholars and OrthoLink Scholars host events often, giving members valuable opportunities to learn and network.

If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a guest speaker event, please complete the Guest Speaker Request Form—requests are welcome from all specialties!

Research Opportunities

MedLink Scholars was founded to support students who may not have home programs or ready access to research opportunities. Students are always encouraged to first explore opportunities through their own institutions and academic programs. For information on formal research fellowships, please refer to the spreadsheet provided by DIGA.

Collaboration & Mentorship

MedLink Scholars hosts research meetings where students can share project ideas and connect with peers. Members are encouraged to reach out to attending physicians with whom they already have personal relationships to serve as reviewing authors on their projects.

Publication Guidance

Students should exercise caution when choosing where to publish their work. Some journals operate as predatory publishers and may compromise the integrity of research. Please consult Beal’s predatory journal list for guidance before submitting an article.

Glow Forward
Glow Forward is MedLink Scholars’ nonprofit initiative dedicated to restoring confidence and dignity for women experiencing homelessness by collecting and donating gently used cosmetics and beauty products to local women’s shelters. What started as a small idea has grown into a national movement, with medical students across the country stepping up as chapter leads at their schools.

How to Get Involved as a Chapter Lead
Starting a Glow Forward chapter at your institution is simple, low-cost, and impactful. Chapter leads do not need to worry about financial stress—fundraising is optional and supported by clubs or schools when needed. In fact, the only materials you truly need to get started are a cardboard box and your voice in the community. Place your donation box in a high-traffic area of your campus, clinic, or local business, and spread the word about your drive through social media, flyers, or word of mouth.

MedLink Scholars provides chapter leads with:

• Marketing Materials – Flyers, sample social media posts, and templates for donation boxes.

• Guidance & Support – Leadership will walk you through best practices for organizing a drive and building local partnerships.

• Community Connection – Join a network of chapter leads across the country who share ideas and successes.

As a chapter lead, your role is to coordinate donation collection, communicate with a local women’s shelter or community organization, and ensure items are delivered. Chapter leaders are not financially responsible for donation drives—Glow Forward is about mobilizing community generosity, not personal expense.

Every chapter, no matter how big or small, contributes to Glow Forward’s mission of empowering women through beauty, confidence, and care.

Please visit the Glow Forward information page to learn more and get involved! If you have any questions about Glow Forward, please contact NAME at @gmail.com

The DermLink Scholars Journal Club is a collaborative space where students come together to critically review and discuss newly published research in dermatology and related fields. Each session features a student presenter who summarizes a recent article, highlights key findings, and guides the group through thoughtful discussion. This format not only helps participants stay current with emerging science but also provides presenters with valuable practice in breaking down complex studies and improving their presentation skills.

Journal Club is open to all members, regardless of prior research experience. Attendees learn how to evaluate study design, analyze data, and think critically about how research translates into clinical practice. The goal is to build confidence in interpreting the literature, spark academic curiosity, and foster a supportive environment where peers can grow together as future physician-scholars.

Please sign up on the Journal Club information page. If you have any questions, please reach out to dlsjournalclub@gmail.com.

We currently have dermatology, orthopedic surgery, and gastroenterology resident physician research chairs overseeing their respective subgroups. We are always looking for additional residents and attendings to help lead other specialties! If you are a resident or attending wanting to get involved, please fill out this form.

Medical students interested in specialties not yet represented are encouraged to connect with peers who share similar interests, invite guest speakers and experts in their fields, and participate in our other programs, such as Glow Forward. If you are interested in starting a new initiative, MedLink Scholars leadership is more than happy to support your ideas. Please reach out to leadership if you have an initiative you would like to launch.