Domestic Away Rotations

Away Rotation Basics

A general timeline of the away rotation process.

Preparation for Applications

  • Checklist to use for each school - Resource to track pertinent information for each application. Not all of the information will be applicable for every school or program.
  • Documents to gather and where to find them - Common documents that are requested by away rotation sites and instructions on where to go to obtain documentation if needed.
  • Affiliation agreements - Contact [email protected] immediately if working with a site that is not on the list and is requesting an affiliation agreement.
    • Extramural (away) rotations for University of Minnesota Medical School (INMD 7555) do not require a UMMS affiliation agreement unless required by the host institution.
    • Other LCME accredited medical schools may require an affiliation agreement with the UMN as a prerequisite to your participation. Please contact [email protected] immediately if working with a site that is requesting an affiliation agreement.
  • Site evaluations of previous away rotation sites - Site evaluations filled out by former students that provide additional information that may help with the decision of where to rotate.
  • Clerkship Evaluation Dashboard - Elective Away for Credit - Site evaluations filled out by former students displayed in an aggregate dashboard that may help with the decision of where to rotate.
  • FARMS Database or Funded Away Rotations for Minority Medical Students - an online directory of programs that offer stipends to minority students pursuing away rotations at their institutions. This resource is maintained and regularly updated by Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA).
  • Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) - Students are able to view different institutions and search the electives offered though the "Search Electives" feature.
  • Please consider the timing of the Clinical Skills Examination - Year 3 CCA, which is required for graduation, in your plans. 

Apply for Away Rotations

  • VSLO Fees and FAQ
  • VSLO Application Instructions - Guides put out by VSLO on how to utilize the system.
  • For direct applications, please enter [email protected] if asked for an email for verification.
  • Once students have accepted away rotations, they can complete the INMD 7554/7555/7556 application, also found in the course directory, to have it added to their schedule.

  • Approval to take an elective away for credit with registration at the University of Minnesota for INMD 7554/7555/7556 must be done at least four weeks in advance before beginning the elective away for credit. Retroactive credit will not be granted for a complete or partially completed away rotation.

Attend Away Rotations

  • To receive a grade for the course, students will work with the rotation to have a performance assessment completed. The clinical performance assessment form can be used and uploaded to the INMD 7554/7555 Assessment of Student Performance form. The form and upload link can also be found in the course directory.
    • Your away rotation evaluation is not stored in VSLO; however, the VSLO coordinator will keep a copy of your completed evaluation in their records. If you would like a copy of your away rotation evaluation, please contact the VSLO coordinator at [email protected]. They will send you a copy for your records.
  • Students must complete an evaluation of their elective away in Medtrics after the completion of their course.