Visiting Student Program

Eligibility

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine welcomes senior medical students interested in applying to the visiting student program. All students must be US citizens or permanent residents attending an LCME-accredited medical school or osteopathic school accredited by American Osteopathic Association (AOA).  We only accept students applying through the AAMC Visiting Students Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program.

Please note: International students are NOT eligible to apply. International visiting students should visit the International Medical Education website or contact internationalMD@uab.edu for information about other opportunities.

Application Process

All applications are processed via the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) Program. Students can begin browsing the elective catalog in mid-February. Applications open in early March, with offers starting April 1. Listed below is the specific documentation required for all applicants.

• US citizenship or permanent resident status
• AAMC standardized immunization form
• Mask fit test
• Criminal background check at the time of medical school matriculation
• Institution affiliation agreement
• Transcript
• USMLE Step 1 score report
• COMLEX score report (for DO students)
• CV/resume
• Personal statement (required for select departments – Anesthesiology, Orthopaedic Surgery)
• Photo

VSLO displays the status of each application.  If your application status is “Under Review,” the program is reviewing your application and will update you as soon as a decision is made.  We do not have any additional information about the timeline for decisions. 

Rotation Dates

Electives are four weeks in duration with a two-week option available in urology. Not all electives are available during each rotation. Current UAB Heersink medical students are given scheduling priority; visiting students are scheduled on a space-available basis. Visiting students cannot customize course dates.  Courses are only available for the dates listed in the elective catalog and/or your offer message.

UAB Heersink hosts visiting students across 3 regional campuses – Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. Applicants may search the catalog by campus to view the offerings at each location.

Offers

Departments will begin extending offers on April 1, and notification will be made via email. Upon receipt of the offer, applicants will be required to pay $150 fee to secure a spot in the course. Please note that current UAB Heersink students receive priority registration, so the spot is not guaranteed until the fee is paid.

Academic departments make decisions about offers based on submitted applications.  If you want to change rotations blocks, you must reach out to the department contact listed in the course description.

After payment is received, a confirmation email will be sent along with onboarding instructions and information on housing. Students are responsible for securing their own housing; however, the institution provides a housing guide as a courtesy aid. All questions regarding the rotation should be directed to the department contact (see offer notification and/or course catalog).

First day reporting instructions will be sent via email by the department contact prior to the rotation start date.