1. Extramurals during advanced integration

2. What you need to know…
Extramurals, or away rotations, are most often done at other LCME accredited medical schools or ACGME accredited residency programs in the United States, but may be done all over the world.
Extramurals count toward your elective credits.
The application process and requirements can vary among host institutions. Know what the requirements are before you apply.
Applying to and attending extramurals can be expensive. Kari Brayden from Student Financial Services can help you figure out the best approach to paying for these opportunities.

3. Intramurals vs. Extramurals
Course Number 1095
A rotation that does not currently exist in the official catalog but will be supervised and assessed by a member of the LCOM faculty
Includes rotations done at WCHN (Danbury/Norwalk) and St. Mary’s in West Palm Beach which are not yet in the catalog.
May need to be approved by the Medical Education Leadership Team (MELT)
Course Number 1090 (2090 for research)
Any rotation done outside of the UVM LCOM system under the supervision of non-faculty
May need to be approved by the Medical Education Leadership Team (MELT) if it is not an established rotation at an accredited institution.
Check out the current list of reviewed and approved Extramurals.

4. International Extramurals
All international experiences must be reviewed and approved by the Global Health Leadership Team.
Students will enroll in course number MD3090 Global Health Field Elective in OASIS, regardless of specialty.
LCOM students who plan to do an international rotation are required to participate in the university’s iAbroad program.
Please contact Audree Frey, the Liaison for Medical Student International Rotations to start the process.  The Office of International Education would like you to complete the process within a 2-week period. You should complete the process about 3-4 months prior to your intended travel date if possible.

5. Applying through VSAS…
VSAS, the Visiting Student Application Service, is a section of the AAMC’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunities program (VSLO).
To gain access to VSAS, contact Emma Faustner to have your account activated. You will receive an from VSAS with login instructions. A quick “How-To” is available on the website.
Most US medical schools and affiliated hospitals use VSAS to accept applications and extend offers to visiting applicants.
There is no overall opening of the application process across all host institutions using VSAS. Most host institutions will not start accepting applications until after they have completed scheduling for their own students.

6. Parts of the VSAS Application
Personal Information – your contact info, biographic info, photo
Academic Information – your medical school enrollment info, clerkship completion
Documents – required document uploads (transcript, immunization forms, etc.)
Verification Questions – this section contains information that is verified by OMSE, including good standing, Infection Control training, HIPAA compliance, ACLS/BLS certification, mask fit testing, professional liability coverage, background check, and passage of Step 1.

7. Required documents Medical School Transcript
The transcript must be uploaded by OMSE.
To request a copy of your med school transcript:
Log into the myUVM portal in the upper right corner of
Locate the Registrar link and request an official transcript:
In the “issued to” field enter VSAS
In the “send to address” field enter
Immunization Forms
The AAMC Standardized Immunization Form is commonly used, however some host institutions require their own form to be completed.
Your immunizations should be on file at Student Health. We suggest you maintain a personal copy of all records, including lab reports.
Students should follow the SHS process by completing immunization forms themselves and bringing them to Student Health for review and certification. Alternately, forms may be filled out by your primary care provider.
Photo – keep it professional! No candids, please.

8. Additional documents
Host institutions, and individual electives, may have additional requirements. Be aware of them in advance to make sure your applications get completed in a timely manner.
Step 1 score report
Personal statement or letter of interest
Letter of recommendation from clinical faculty
Students must request LoRs from faculty. If they must be uploaded by the home school, they can be ed to Emma Faustner. LoRs for residency application should NOT be used for VSAS.
Proof of BLS/ACLS, background checks, letters of good standing, or evaluation forms may be requested. Contact Emma Faustner for help with these items.

9. A note about background checks and Drug screenings…
Some individual host institutions may require a background check within 6 – 12 months of the start date of the rotation. Students are responsible for paying for these checks. A commonly accepted service that provides affordable background checks is SentryLink. Some states may require additional state-specific background checks and host institutions may charge additional fees to have those performed. A drug screening may also be required for certain Extramurals. Concentra Urgent Care in South Burlington provides drug screenings for around $90. Students are responsible for the cost of drug screenings. Additional options can be found on the VSAS website.

10. Where to learn more:
A detailed tutorial on using VSAS is available on the website.
Please also view the Student Essentials guide for a breakdown of the basics.

11. Programs that don’t use VSAS
Check the institution’s website for application information.
There will usually be a paper application packet to be printed, or a separate electronic method to submit materials.
Most requirements are standard and will be similar to what is required for VSAS institutions.
Applications will have a section to be completed by the Dean or a designee. These forms can be brought to Emma Faustner to be completed. Letters of good standing can also be provided if needed.
Try out the AAMC’s Online Extramural Electives Compendium.

12. Getting credit for extramurals
Extramural info must be added in OASIS before the start of the rotation in order to be approved for credit.
When Add/Drop opens, add yourself to the waitlist for the appropriate Extramural course (1090, or 2090 for research).
Complete the course information form within Oasis
“Blank” extramurals will not be approved. We must know what your plans are.
Rotations through LCME accredited medical schools and ACGME accredited residency programs are considered pre-approved. Experiences at locations that are not affiliated with an educational program (private practices, healthcare organizations, etc.) may need to be reviewed by the Medical Education Leadership Team (MELT).

13. Grading of extramurals
Students are responsible for making sure grades are returned to OMSE after completing an extramural.
Bring or send a copy of the Clinical Evaluation for Extramurals or the Research Evaluation for Extramurals to the coordinator or course director. We will accept the host school’s form if they will not use ours.
Per Policy in the Student Handbook, honors grades received from extramurals are recorded as “Unofficial Honors” and will appear as “UH” on the official transcript.
Once received by OMSE, extramural grades and assessments will be transferred to OASIS for student view.

14. Resources and Documents
Advanced Integration FAQ page
OASIS Student User Guide
VSAS
How to Use the VSAS Application Service
Video Tutorial
Student Essentials Guide
Online Extramural Electives Compendium
Medical Alumni Directory
List of approved Extramurals
Evaluation forms
Extramural Clinical Evaluation form
Extramural Research Evaluation form
Approval forms
Extramural Approval form
International Extramural Approval form
Intramural approval form
Background Checks & Drug Screenings