Applying to the HMS Visiting Students Program

Applicants are advised to read all the information provided about the program before applying to the HMS Visiting Students Program. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Failure to comply with application instructions may result in not being scheduled.

The HMS Visiting Students Program processes applications through the AAMC’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. To ensure fairness to all eligible applicants, applications are reviewed only after the submission deadline. Complete the application and submit all required documentation on VSLO.

Applications for rotation July 2025 – June 2026 are now open on VSLO for students who attend medical school in the United States.

Applications are open on VSLO for international students. International students may apply for rotations from October – March only.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines to apply for each clerkship month are listed on the calendar. Scheduling is assigned randomly based upon the demand and availability of clerkships. Applications are not processed based on date of submission so there is no advantage to early submission.

Selecting Clerkship(s)

Entering Clerkship Selection(s)

Applicants can select from clerkships listed in the VSLO Elective Catalog. Please read the course descriptions for detailed information as some electives are not offered year-round and some have restricted enrollment.

Selecting Clerkship Rotation Month(s)

In VSLO, all applicants may apply for 1 to 3 months of clinical elective clerkships. Do not apply for more than 3 months.

Application Process

Apply through the VSLO Application Services which includes the following:

  1. Transcripts – Must be uploaded by home institution in VSLO.
  2. USMLE Scores – Step 1 (if applicable).
  3. AAMC Standardized Immunization Form – Download and have your health care provider complete the immunization form to submit with your application. NOTE: HMS tuberculosis (TB) screening requirements differ from the AAMC immunization form. You may submit your application without an updated TB test, however, you will need to provide documentation of one of the following if scheduled in a rotation: Option 1 - Skin Test (TST) - 1 TST administered within 12 months of your start date and a 2nd TST within 3 months of your start date. 1 TST within 3 months is NOT sufficient. Option 2 - Q-Gold, T-Spot - One test done within 3 months of start date. Option 3 -History of Positive TB - Report of Chest X-Ray, within 10 years of start date; documentation of treatment; symptom review within three months of start date.
  4. Personal Health Coverage – Proof of insurance coverage is required. You may provide this documentation once you are placed in a clerkship.
  5. Professional Liability and Malpractice Coverage – Proof of professional liability and malpractice coverage is required for all students. If professional liability and malpractice coverage is not provided by your school, you will be required to purchase a policy on your own. HMS requires a policy with a minimum coverage of $1 million per incident and $3 million aggregate. You may provide this documentation once you are placed in a clerkship.
  6. CORI Request Form – Massachusetts law requires a CORI check for anyone in a health care facility who has contact with patients or access to confidential patient records. Please complete and sign the form and HMS will submit for background check. A copy of your government issue ID must be submitted along with the CORI form.
  7. Application Fee – The application fee is a non-refundable processing fee of $115.00 USD for each experience selected and paid through the Harvard Marketplace Exclerk Application Fee link. The application fee is based on the total number of separate clerkship experiences specified in the application. If you are applying for one clerkship experience at Harvard Medical School, the application fee is $115.00. If you are applying for two separate clerkship experiences, the application fee is $230.00.

For example:

  • If you want to participate in only one clerkship, and could participate in either August, September, or October, the application fee is $115.00.
  • If you want to participate in only one clerkship, and would like to request multiple offerings to increase the probability of placement (ex., Clinical Cardiology, GI, and Infectious Disease), the application fee is $115.00.
  • If you want to participate in two separate clerkships for a total of 2 months, the application fee is $230.00.

Note: HMS does not require recommendation letters or CV’s. Neither recommendation letter(s) or a CV will increase your chances of being scheduled.

Please note that the HMS Visiting Students Program is undergoing continuous review and improvement and is subject to change at any time.