VLSO Tips and Tricks
Written by: Henson Destiné, Kassidy Fix, and Samuel Fuller
Most programs open up their visiting student applications anytime between January to May. With boards going pass/fail , programs may resort to first-come first-serve or require additional documents to evaluate applicants. It is important to have everything prepared in advance so you can be among the first to apply! Keep in mind some programs may have their application on their website or require applicants to submit documents via email as opposed to using VSLO. It is best to check the program website prior to looking on VSLO as most have information on how to apply (e.g. required materials, application dates, etc.) If you have questions, reach out to students who may have rotated in the past or the program coordinator. Remember they have lots of other duties, so be patient and kind to them!
Things you may need for applying for a rotation on VSLO:
Personal Statement/Letter of Interest: ≤1 page. Doesn’t need to be the final draft. Include why you want to do orthopedics and one paragraph specifically stating why you would like to attend their program.
AAMC Standardized Immunization Form: https://www.aamc.org/media/23441/download Start early (December) - you may need to update vaccines/titers and have this reviewed and signed by a healthcare professional. Some may have their own requirements/forms; check their website!
CV/Resume: Get this reviewed by your school’s Career Readiness Center.
Professional Photo: Can get through conferences, school, pay for a professional, or take yourself. Be sure to dress professionally, with a solid background and use a good camera.
Board Scores: Dos: make a combined PDF with both COMLEX and NBME score reports.
Transcript: Unofficial: upload yourself; Official: Your home institution will upload.
Urine Drug Screen: Within 1 year - will probably need a new one for 4th year.
Background Check: Within 1 year, can be $$$. Use your school’s preferred site or OneSource is a good option.
Letter of Good Standing: Uploaded by your home institution
BLS/ACLS certifications: Most certificates are valid for two years. If you completed it during third-year then you don’t need to recertify. If you took a research year, contact your home institution for advice on how to re-certify. Alternatively, if you are away from your home institution you can sign up to take a course through a third-party but expect to pay around $80.
Health insurance card
Home school evaluation form
N-95 Mask fit test
NBME/NBOME official transcript: Can request on respective websites
Letter of Recommendation: A small number of programs require a letter of recommendation. One of my letter writers who I was close with sent me a PDF of his letter, which was very helpful. If you have someone willing to do this, definitely have it ready in case you need it! If you don’t have any orthopaedic letters ready to go yet, consider asking any other physician you have worked with during your third-year year or a faculty member who knows you well. Keep in mind, it does not have to be an orthopaedic surgeon who writes this letter and you do not have to use this letter for ERAS.
Backup Plans
With a large number of students applying to away rotations, there is a chance you will not be accepted, or you will be accepted for a different month than expected. Try to be flexible and have a backup plan. Some students apply to multiple programs and decline/withdraw from others once they are accepted to one. If you choose to do this, let the other programs know far in advance that you do not plan on rotating there so they can open up the spot for another student. This strategy may affect your chances of matching at those programs, but you have to weigh that risk with the risk of not having any rotation at all during that month. This is a personal choice, so do what is right for you! Just make sure you are prepared for the possibility that every rotation you apply to may not work out exactly how you plan it.
Other notes:
VSLO charges $15 per application, and some programs may have a fee to rotate
Save the elective and you will get an email when it opens
Most programs take about a month to respond with a decision, some programs took longer
Hard to find when the app opens, check website, check social media, check VSLO daily, and you can also try emailing the coordinator
Affiliation Agreements - check with the program to see if they require an affiliation agreement and if there is already an agreement established with your school (that is not expired) - this can take months (one of mine took 8 months)...start this process early.