Away Rotations

This link will provide you with more information about:

  • Finding away electives

  • Registering through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) platform

  • Application Timeline

  • Required Documentation

  • Common Questions

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Do I need to do an away rotation?

Below you can find the away rotation recommendations or requirements for each specialty. For some specialties it is an expectation that you complete a certain number of aways, for others it's not as common but can be helpful if you are interested in a specific program or geographic area.

Specialty​
Away Recommendations/Requirements​

Anesthesia​

Not required, if you are interested in a specific location, an away in that location can help show this interest

CT Surgery​

Required​

Diagnostic Radiology​

Recommended if you’re interested in a specific, highly competitive program or location

Dermatology​

2-3 Required​

Emergency Medicine​

1-3 Required​

Family Medicine​

Recommended if you are interested in a new geographic location

General Surgery​

1-2 HIGHLY Recommended​

Internal Medicine​

Not Common- Electives usually are for student exploration in an Internal Medicine subspecialty or to explore another location. Away electives are not considered auditions nor often affect if a student is offered an interview.

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Not Common but can be very useful if you have not worked with med-peds faculty or experienced a combined med-peds practice first-hand. Some programs also have "virtual electives." Discuss pros and cons with specialty advisor.

Interventional Radiology​

at least 1 HIGHLY recommended

Neurosurgery​

2-3 Required + Sinai AI​

Neurology​

Not Common

Obstetrics & Gynecology​

1 Recommended​

Ophthalmology​

1-2 Recommended​

Orthopedics​

2-3 Required + Sinai AI​

ENT​

1 Required + Sinai AI​

Pathology​

Not Common

Pediatrics​

Not Common

PM&R ​

Depends on the applicant and the reason for the away elective- speak to the specialty advisor ​

Plastic Surgery​

2-3 Required + Sinai AI​

Psychiatry​

Not required, depends on the student and the reason for an away. May be advisable to do one if there’s a specific program or location of interest.

Radiation Oncology​

1 recommended

Triple Board

Not Common

Urology​

2-3 Required + Sinai AI​

Vascular Surgery​

1 Required + Sinai AI​

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