The Visiting Clerkship Program encompasses numerous opportunities for 4th year medical students to explore rotations at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Penn Presbyterian Hospital (Presby), and Pennsylvania Hospital (Pennsy) in several subspecialties. This program seeks to address some of the obstacles that can limit access to medical training. The clerkships include both sub-internship and elective experiences in top-ranked residency programs. Students have the opportunity to spend time learning first-hand what it is like to be a resident at these institutions and are paired with mentors to aid in their rotation success and preparation for the Match Process.
Program Highlights
- Each student is paired with a Faculty or Resident mentor in an area of their interest
- Each student will be given the opportunity to meet with Residency Program Leadership
- Funding/Stipends of $1500-$2000 to cover travel and housing
- Opportunity to interact with current residents, fellows, and faculty at social events
Clerkship Programs
We offer sub-internships (acting internships) and electives with outpatient and consult clinical exposure in the following specialties:
- General Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Urology (early applications encouraged)
- Vascular Surgery
Application Requirements and Information
The application for our Clerkship opens in February and is available through the Perelman School of Medicine’s VLSO application. Search “Perelman School of Medicine” under the Elective Catalogue. Then you can find the specific application by looking up the specialty of your choice and selecting “Visiting Clerkship Program.”
Perelman School of Medicine Visiting Student Website: https://www.med.upenn.edu/student/application-and-dates.html
All applicants must be rising 4th year (or final year if additional degrees or program longer than 4 years) medical students and should apply for the clerkship program that correlates to the subspecialty they are pursing in the match.
Application deadline is May 9, 2025 – however, some programs will have ongoing reviews and acceptances. The following materials are required and will be completed/uploaded via the VLSO application site:
- Immunization Record (VSLO form is acceptable)
- CV/Resume
- Transcript (official or unofficial)
- Photograph
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Personal Statement expressing interest for specialty/clerkship program
- Short essay question
- Letter of Support (not required for Emergency Medicine; letters should preferentially be submitted by an attending physician in the specialty to which you are applying but any attending physician letter will be accepted)
Rotation Dates
Available rotations and dates for each specialty vary based on program.
- July 7, 2025 – August 1, 2025 (only available for General Surgery - applicants interested in this block must submit materials by April 14, 2025)
- August 4, 2025 – August 29, 2025
- September 2, 2025 – September 26, 2025
- September 29, 2025 – October 24, 2025
- October 27, 2025 – November 21, 2025
Contact Information:
Contact the Program Administrator,
Zayyan Snell at zayyan.snell@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
with questions or for additional information.