Away Rotations

Preparing for an Away Rotation/Clerkship

Stanford MD Program students may choose to apply to participate in an elective or selective away rotation/clerkship at another accredited school. The following information is provided to help students prepare for applying and attending an away rotation.

Please consult the MD Program Handbook's section 4.11 "Completing Clerkships at Other Institutions" before completing visiting student application forms.
Review the away institution's visiting student information for application deadline dates and details on how they process applications.
For AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) institutions, search elective opportunities and check the host institution summary in VSLO for deadlines and application details. Use the SoM Registrar's Office Request Form to request access to the VSLO application service for participating schools or to request other documents in support of your away rotation application(s).
Use the away rotation information below to prepare for applying and for obtaining needed approvals.

Prior to Applying

Be prepared to provide the following information when applying for an away rotation:

E-Transcript: If required, log on to Axess to request your electronic transcript be sent to medregistrar@stanford.edu
Safety Training: Proof of HIPAA training and OSHA compliance, most recent completion dates for:
- HIPAA/Protecting Patient Privacy (PRIV-0010) - taken annually
- Bloodborne Pathogens (EHS-PROG-1600) - taken annually
- General Safety, Injury Prevention (IIPP) and Emergency Preparedness (EHS-4200)
- Biosafety (EHS-1500)
- Log on to Axess and click the STARS tab to complete the above online training courses
Life Support Training:
- Proof of ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certification (if required); provide expiration date
- Proof of BLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification; provide expiration date
Criminal Background Check: Provide the most recent completion date; may need a new check if older than 2-3 years
- Students can access their original background check (conducted during the MD admissions process) by going to the Certiphi Consumer Care website at https://consumercare.certiphi.com/. Contact Jared Shields, jshields@stanford.edu, to request a new background check if needed.
Letter of Recommendation (LOR): If a LOR is required, have your letter writer send their letter to medregistrar@stanford.edu
Letter of Good Standing: Provided by the SoM Registrar's Office if a letter confirming your MD program status and approval to participate in an away rotation is required
Proof of liability insurance: Proof of malpractice/liability insurance for away rotations is included with applications in VSLO and with a Letter of Good Standing
Current expected graduation term & year: Update your information on the MEP Student Records system as needed
Proof of immunizations and current on health requirements, including all required tests. Review and complete the AAMC Standardized Immunization Form.
Proof of personal health insurance
Mask fit test certification within past 12 months
USMLE score report for Step 1 (request through NBME)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Personal Statement

When Accepted in a U.S.-based Away Clerkship

Step 1: Submit Approval Request Form

After the host institution has accepted your application, complete the Away Clerkship Authorization Form. Ensure you indicate the type of clerkship requirement (Elective or Selective) the away rotation will fulfill prior to completing the approval form. Most away rotations/clerkships are taken as an Elective, not as a Selective clerkship. Register your away rotations as a Selective only if you need to use your away rotation to satisfy your selective requirements for graduation.
Upload copies of the clerkship description and the acceptance notification from the away institution when submitting the approval form.
The submitted form will be routed to appropriate contacts, including the student's Advising Dean, for review and approval. For Selective clerkships, the relevant Stanford Clerkship Director and Assistant Dean of Clerkship Education will also review the request to ensure Selective requirements will be fulfilled by the away rotation.
An email notification will be sent when the final approver has submitted their response.

Step 2: After Approval, Enroll in Axess

If participation in the away clerkship is approved, it will be added to the student's clerkship schedule in Fishbowl and appear in the student’s MEP Student Record Clerkship Schedule.
When the appropriate quarter is open for enrollment, the student must log on to Axess and enroll in the corresponding clerkship. Away rotations end with “W”, e.g. ORTHO 306W. Enroll in the section number that corresponds with the period of the clerkship, e.g., for Period 4, select section 04.

Step 3: After Completion

Instructions for submitting an evaluation will be sent by email to the contact listed on the Away Clerkship Authorization Form.
Ensure an evaluation for the away rotation has been entered on the MedHub system.
For institutions that require their own evaluation form, have the form sent to medregistrar@stanford.edu.

When Accepted in an International Away Clerkship

Consult the information provided on the International Away Clerkships webpage. There's a two step process for obtaining needed approvals:

After being accepted to participate in a clerkship that will take place outside the U.S., submit an approval request
When participation approval has been obtained, submit an international travel checklist to obtain final approval from the SoM Registrar's Office

If participation in an international away clerkship is approved, it will be added to student's clerkship schedule in Fishbowl and MEP Student Records. When enrollment in Axess is open for the quarter of the away rotation, enroll in the corresponding clerkship in Axess.

Upon completion of the international away rotation, ensure an evaluation is entered on the MedHub system. Instructions for submitting an evaluation will be sent by email to the contact listed on International Away Elective Clerkship Approval Request form. For institutions that require thier own evaluation form, have form sent to medregistrar@stanford.edu.

If you have any questions about the away rotation/clerkship process, please email medregistrar@stanford.edu.

Clerkship Scheduling

Find a doctor

Clinics & Services

Research Resources

Professional Training

Education Resources

Preparing for an Away Rotation/Clerkship