VSLO Global Network – International
[Effective 6/18/24] The University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville is currently not accepting applications for the 2024 -2025 academic year as we transition our program to VSLO.
Our institution now utilizes Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) for all domestic and international application submissions. If you are interested in pursuing a rotation with us, your home institution must have an executed AAMC Uniform Clinical Training Agreement with the University of Florida and a VSLO Participation Agreement with the Association of American Medical Colleges. Please have your institution reach out to UFCOM-International@ad.ufl.edu and keep in mind that the request must come directly from a school official or there will be no response.
FAQs
1. Can I participate in rotations at UF College of Medicine?
The UF College of Medicine International Medical Student Education program is only available to final-year medical student from schools in the VSLO Network.
2. Does my school have a current affiliation agreement with UF?
UF College of Medicine requires an approved affiliation agreement to be in place first before moving forward with rotation requests. Students will not be able to participate in clinical electives unless an approved affiliation agreement exists. Please use the Affiliated University & College Map to verify if your home institution has an existing affiliation agreement.
3. What if my school does not have a current executed agreement?
Please email UFCOM-International@ad.ufl.edu to request the affiliation template.
4. How long does it take to get an agreement executed?
New affiliation agreements typically take 8-10 weeks for execution; however, sometimes may take longer if the international school requests several changes to the template.
Please note. There are no financial obligations associated with executing an affiliation agreement.
5. Are there any additional requirements?
Yes.
- Students must have completed all of the following core clerkships: Family Medicine, Medicine, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery.
- Students must have been instructed in safety measures and infection control precautions. See application.
- The USMLE Step 1 passing score or “PASS” result is a mandatory requirement. Requests to waive this will not be considered.
6. Which Gainesville departments do not accept visiting international students?
The UF College of Medicine Gainesville Divisions/Departments of Dermatology, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology and Surgery do not accept students from non-LCME accredited medical schools.
- Students interested in participating in Surgery electives should submit an application directly through the Enhanced Opportunity for Gator Surgical Residency Exposure Program » Department of Surgery » College of Medicine » University of Florida (ufl.edu).
- The UF College of Medicine Jacksonville does offer specialty rotations in many of the departments listed above, with the exception of Family Medicine. For more information on electives offered at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at (904) 244-5128 or email Dani Brown.
7. Which Gainesville departments do accept visiting international students?
The UF College of Medicine Gainesville offers specialty rotations, only with the Divisions/Departments of:
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology [no placements available before October, 2025]
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurological Surgery (Observership only)
- Orthopaedics
- Otolaryngology (Observership only)
- Pathology (Observership only)
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation [no placements available before April, 2025]
- Radiation Oncology (Observership only)
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
- Urology
Please note. Sub-Internships; the required Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, and Internship 101 are not available to visiting international students.
8. What is an Observership?
Observership is a temporary, unpaid clinical shadowing experience for persons not formally associated with UF/UF Health, who wish to shadow a UF Health clinician rendering patient care for purposes of enhancing the observer’s knowledge about the provision of care. Observership opportunities are not active in patient care. Observers must be accompanied and/or supervised by a UF representative at all times.
9. What is the elective schedule?
UF College of Medicine Gainesville offers two-week or four-week elective rotation options. Please review the Elective Schedule:
2025-2026 Elective Rotation Dates
A visiting student may not displace a University of Florida student from any elective. For this reason, no visiting student will be accepted for an elective at the University of Florida until all UF students have confirmed their senior schedules. This process should be completed by mid-May.
Upcoming academic year scheduling will likely not begin until the end of May.
UF College of Medicine fills the available seats in the following sequence: UF College of Medicine students, followed by Domestic medical students (within the U.S. Non-UF) and International medical students. While the elective schedule begins with Period 1C (May – June), Periods 1C & 2C are not guaranteed to international students.
10. How many rotations can I request?
UF College of Medicine allows each visiting student up to 8 weeks of rotation. Rotations range from 2 – 4 weeks depending on the specialty.
11. How do I apply?
To apply for a rotation, submit your application and supporting documents via the VSLO program.
UF College of Medicine Departments and Divisions determine number of available seats and Period availability. Seats are offered in the order requests are received.
12. How much does it cost?
Please review the information and details below to get a broader understanding of the International Medical Student Education Program: Cost of Attendance
Application Fee
Rotation Fee (Effective October 1st, 2024 $1120/wk)
Book & Supplies
Food
Transportation
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
Living Expenses
Total Estimates Cost
$50
$4,480
N/A
$600
$22
$465
$529 – $686
$6,146 – $6,303
Tuition/Fees
There will be a nonrefundable application processing fee of $50.00. Cost for visiting students is based on University of Florida tuition/fees structure for students enrolled in professional programs in dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and certain MBA programs. The $1120/week fee is similar to the cost to UF College of Medicine students for comparable credit.
Books & Supplies
Costs are determined by using the Education Data average cost of textbooks survey for the total cost of books and supplies in addition to estimates for materials, supplies, equipment, and technology.
Food
Food costs are based on the average cost of food per month for a college student.
Transportation
While utilizing the bus system is free when using the Gator1 ID, on-and off-campus transportation costs are estimated by using per-trip rideshare average cost for Gainesville, FL.
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
The personal budget is based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s established personal and clothing costs for one person. This includes laundry, toiletries, and minor miscellaneous expenses.
Living Expenses
Costs are based on UF Graduate and Family Housing rental rates per month.
13. Is there a dress code?
Yes. Students participating in clinical rotations will be expected to adhere to the UF College of Medicine Dress Code policy. In short, students should wear proper business attire, home institution white laboratory coat and Gator1 ID badge at all times during rotation hours.
14. Does the College of Medicine offer housing?
UF College of Medicine does not offer student housing. Students remain responsible for all housing arrangements and living expenses for the duration of their rotation. The UF Department of Housing and Residence Life helps students find housing both on and off campus.
Graduate and Family Housing offers attractive housing options specifically reserved for graduate and professional students, as well as student with families of their own.
UF Off Campus Life assists students with off-campus housing and their transition to the Gainesville community.
15. How can I get to and around campus?
UF’s custom-made, mobile-friendly Campus Map makes getting to campus easy, whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving.
Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) is the local area transit corporation that serves the University of Florida and Greater Gainesville area. Students can ride for free with a Gator1 ID.
The City of Gainesville and University of Florida are bicycle-friendly communities, as many employees and students opt to ride their bikes to campus.
Students who drive to campus and park during decal-restricted hours must display a valid UF parking decal or permit, or park in a metered space or paid parking facility and pay the appropriate fee. All vehicles parked on campus must obey UF’s parking rules and regulations.
16. Does UF College of Medicine offer any other opportunities?
Yes. UF College of Medicine offers the following programs, each with its own application process and requirements. Please click on the links below for more information: