Residency Away Rotations: The VSLO Platform
/Learn about the AAMC’s VSLO platform as you apply for away rotations.
----
Part 1: Introduction
After spending several years pursuing your undergraduate degree and completing medical school, it’s time to begin thinking about where you’ll complete your residency and which programs interest you the most. While it’s common for students to complete a residency program nearby, some students prefer to look into away rotations (also known as Visiting Student Learning Opportunities, or VSLO).
VSLO is an online platform provided by the AAMC that enables students to complete clinical and research opportunities, as well as electives, at other institutions. Specifically, the VSLO platform allows students to find and apply for opportunities while streamlining the administration process.
To be eligible for VSLO, students must be in good academic standing and actively pursuing an MD (at an LCME-accredited institution) or a DO at an AACOM Member Institution. Additionally, students must have completed their core clerkships at their medical school.
(Suggested reading: Common Residency Interview Questions—and How to Answer Them)
----
Part 2: What is VSLO?
VSLO, which stands for Visiting Student Learning Opportunities, is an online platform run by the AAMC that allows medical and public health students to search for and apply to short-term elective rotations at other institutions.
What is the process for using the VSLO platform?
Students can use the VSLO platform (which they access through their home medical school) to search for electives and complete their profile with any required documents. They can also use the platform to submit their applications to host institutions.
To begin, your home medical school must be a participating member of the VSLO program in order to grant you access to the platform. Once access is granted, you can log into the VSLO application service. Next, you’ll need to complete your profile and gather any required documents. This could include things such as your immunization records and your official transcripts—items you can typically obtain through your home medical school.
Once the above has been completed, you’ll be ready to search for and apply to available electives using the online portal. At this point, the host institution (e.g., where you plan to complete your program) can review your application and accept or decline your request. If you’re accepted by the host institution, you’ll typically need to complete their requirements prior to the start of the rotation.
----
Part 3: Understanding away rotations
Away rotations are clinical opportunities students complete at an institution other than their own (home) medical school, typically in preparation for residency. While there are various reasons students pursue away rotations, common reasons include gaining experience in a different clinical setting, assessing a program’s fit for a student and institution, and strengthening a residency application—especially in competitive specialties.
Additionally, away rotations allow students to extend their interview opportunity somewhat and potentially impress a program’s faculty members and residents. Rotations also enable students to assess a program’s faculty and culture, further evaluating it to determine whether the program is a good fit. Finally, rotations encourage students to get acclimated to different hospital systems, patient record systems, and new patient populations.
Types of rotations
Away rotations are generally determined by the type of specific residency specialty you’re interested in. Common examples include Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Dermatology, and ENT. That said, these specialty areas can vary by institution and can be further broken down into sub-specialties (e.g., surgical oncology or pediatric cardiology).
Looking for medical residency personal statement essay examples? Click here to access over 30 of them, with in-depth analyses of why they work.
Gain instant access to 30+ exclusive full-length residency personal statement essay examples, complete with thorough breakdowns to help you match with your first choice.
----
Part 4: Benefits of the VSLO program
For students, the most significant benefits of the VSLO program include having a streamlined application process for “away” rotations and potentially enhanced career opportunities. However, these aren’t the only benefits. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some other benefits.
Simplifies the application process: This may be the most apparent (and beneficial) positive outcome of the VSLO program. Ultimately, the VSLO platform provides an organized and efficient way for students to find and apply to rotations, track their applications, and even manage any required documentation.
Strengthened residency applications: Having “away” rotations on your application is crucial. This is especially true for competitive programs. Away rotations provide an opportunity also get noticed by other programs, which could possibly increase your chances of securing a letter of recommendation from another faculty member.
Facilitates career exploration: Expanding your experience in a particular specialty provides students with new perspectives on different medical specialties, hospital systems, and even patient populations. This experience can certainly help you gauge whether a specific program is an excellent fit for you. Still, it can also provide insights into the specialty itself and whether you’re suited for it.
Expands your professional network: As with any profession, expanding your networking opportunities is almost always a positive. The VSLO program allows you to connect with residents, attendings, and other students you may encounter again in the future.
Allows for a change in environment: While this may seem insignificant, consider how a different medical school setting can provide added stimulation and expand your perspective.
Final thoughts:
The VSLO program is an online application platform that streamlines the process for medical students seeking away rotations at institutions across the USA and internationally. Through VSLO, students can find and apply to programs, submit standardized application materials, and track the status of their applications all in one place. By centralizing and simplifying the application process, VSLO makes it easier for students to explore diverse clinical environments, gain valuable experience in potential residency programs, and build critical professional connections.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassianis the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical residency admissions. For over 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students match to top residency programs using his exclusive approach.