Visiting Student Overview
This application is for students from U.S. and Canadian medical schools that have been accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or by the American Osteopathic Association. Students from international medical schools can find eligibility and application information on the Center for Global Health website.
2025 Dates
Applications for Spring 2025 have closed in VSLO. Spring rotation dates are as follows:
| Month | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| February | February 3, 2025 | February 28, 2025 |
| March | March 3, 2025 | March 28, 2025 |
| April | March 31, 2025 | April 25, 2025 |
Applications for Summer 2025 are open in VSLO; applications close 90 days before rotation start dates. The options showing are the only sections with current availability. If you are not seeing certain dates/courses, it is likely that they are filled for that time period or are not being offered. Summer rotation dates are as follows:
| Month | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| May | April 28, 2025 | May 23, 2025 |
| June | May 27, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| July | July 7, 2025 | August 1, 2025 |
| August | August 4, 2025 | August 29, 2025 |
| September | September 2, 2025 | September 26, 2025 |
Applications for Fall 2025 will open in VSLO in late May. Fall rotation dates are as follows:
| Month | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| October | September 29, 2025 | October 24, 2025 |
| November | October 27, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| December | November 24, 2025 | December 19, 2025 |
How to Apply
A student in good standing is eligible to apply for up to four (4) weeks of electives after completing the majority of the clerkships. Minimum requirements are medicine, surgery, and the core clerkship in the area of interest. Elective offerings are visible in VSLO for visiting MD and DO students.
Only completed applications will be considered. Elective placements will be made according to the needs and interests of individual departments, and on a space-available basis. Due to the rotating nature of electives, we will be unable to respond to inquiries regarding availability. Visiting students should not contact departments or course directors regarding the application process.
Review the elective dates to be sure that Penn's elective schedule fits with the schedule at your institution. You must abide by our standard, 4-week rotation dates. Shortened or altered dates are not available. This policy is non-negotiable. If a date option does not appear for a particular month, the course is currently full.
Student Health Requirements
All visiting students are required to submit an up-to-date immunization record that has been completed in full and signed by a healthcare provider.
Provide documentation of personal health insurance (a photocopy of your insurance card is sufficient). In the event of illness, or the need for consultation regarding health care, visiting students must seek the services of a physician. In the event of an emergency, visiting students are advised to proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room. Any questions related to coverage (including costs) should be addressed by a student directly with their insurance provider.
Pediatrics Patient Contact Requirements
If your selected courses have pediatric patient contact (site location will be listed as CHOP or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) the State of Pennsylvania requires the following:
- PA Child Abuse Clearance Child Welfare Portal, select "Employee of Child Care Services"
- Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal History Check (PATCH)
- FBI Fingerprint Criminal History Clearance via IdentoGo.
- Enter your 6-character service code 1KG738
- Read detailed instructions
COVID-19 Requirements
- Students coming to Penn for a visiting rotation are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
- COVID-19 Patient Encounter Readiness Checklist Prep Course: this required Canvas course will help you become ready for encounters with patients who are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 (link provided post-application).
Acceptance Fee & Costs
To confirm your enrollment, you must submit a non-refundable registration fee of $200 per elective within 10 days of receiving the acceptance notification. Please be aware that this is a registration fee and cannot be refunded if you later choose to drop the course.
Housing, Meals, Transportation & Parking
You are responsible for locating and paying for your own housing, meals, transportation, and parking. Since parking is scarce and expensive, you may want to contact Penn Transportation and Parking.
Final housing arrangements should be deferred until enrollment has been confirmed, in the event we are unable to accommodate your course request.
Short-term Housing Opportunities
- Penn Hospitality Services
- Left Bank Guest Apartments (on-campus)
- Penn Off-Campus Services
- Right at Home Homestay program
- University City District Website
- The Rotating Room (sublets)
- Ur Home in Philly
- The Mason on Chestnut
Public Transportation
Local and regional public transportation options are available through SEPTA.
Performance Evaluation
Upon the completion of your elective, you will be evaluated via OASIS (online evaluation system). Once your performance evaluation is available, you can log into the system using your OASIS username and password to view and print a copy for your school.
NOTE: Our faculty are not required to complete non-Penn evaluation forms.
Correspondence
Questions about the visiting student process can be emailed to the Perelman School of Medicine registrar’s office.