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Visiting Students

Penn State College of Medicine welcomes visiting MD and DO students for selected fourth-year elective programs.

The college looks for students with a strong undergraduate record in both the sciences and humanities, but considers more than just academics.

The admissions committee is particularly interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds who have clear potential for leadership and service in wide areas of patient care, research, medical education, administration, and service.

Important dates

Penn State College of Medicine will begin accepting visiting student applications through VSLO on April 1, 2022.

Participating departments

Eligibility

Elective rotations are available for medical students in good standing in their final year from medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) within the United States and Canada.

Specific criteria must be met in order for a medical student at another medical school to be granted visiting student status at the Penn State College of Medicine. A medical student applying for visiting student privileges must:

  • Be in academic good standing and in their senior year of medical school.
  • Have taken and passed core clinical rotations in Medicine, Pediatrics, Family and Community Medicine (or Primary Care Medicine), Psychiatry, Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.
  • Have passed USMLE Step I Examination or COMLEX.
  • Meet Penn State College of Medicine Technical Standards.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Have no criminal record.

Penn State College of Medicine requires verification of a criminal background check on all visiting students. Proof of Criminal Background Check will include State Criminal History Record where student resides, Child Abuse History Clearance, and Federal Criminal History/Fingerprinting Clearance. Penn State College of Medicine reserves the right to not accept any Student for participation in an experience at Penn State College of Medicine who has a criminal record.

Also, the VSLO policy states that away rotations must be for students in their senior year.

Application Requirements

In addition to the standard VSLO application, students applying for electives at Penn State College of Medicine will need:

  • Verification of personal health and general liability insurance. General liability limits must be at least $1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate.
  • A completed immunization form.
  • An official transcript including core clinical clerkship grades.
  • A copy of USMLE Step I Examination or COMLEX results.
  • Documentation of Universal Precautions training (verified by a statement from the parent medical school).
  • Verification of Criminal Background Check will include State Criminal History Record where student resides, Child Abuse History Clearance and Federal Criminal History/Fingerprinting Clearance.
  • Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Card

Contact Us

For details on the visiting student program, email dgill@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.