Harvard Medical School Visiting Students Program
Boston, Massachusetts · Visiting Student (MD/DO)
Always confirm details on the official institution page before applying. Requirements, fees, and deadlines can change.
About this program
The HMS Visiting Students Program accepts final-year medical students into 4-week clerkship blocks at Harvard's ten affiliated teaching hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and McLean Hospital. With more than 200 clerkship listings and combined programs that rotate students across multiple affiliates during a single block, the program is unusually broad in specialty coverage. Research opportunities and observerships are explicitly not offered through this pathway. Applications are processed by the HMS Registrar's Office and must be submitted through AAMC VSLO; rotation dates are fixed and must match the HMS calendar. Separate pathways exist for equity-focused applicants (Visiting Clerkship Program via the Office for Culture and Community Engagement) and for emergency medicine (MGB EM Clerkship). Applicants should assume competitive selection: HMS receives thousands of applications per year.
Quick highlights
Strong points
- Verified direct sourceAudited URL — no platform middleman, no scraped data
- INTL physicians eligibleOpen to international medical graduates
- Certificate of completionIssued on successful program completion
Watch for
- USMLE Step requiredStep 1 or COMLEX Level 1 recommended or required per affiliate
Fees, duration & what it costs
What's included
- 4-week blocks matching HMS rotation calendar of structured clinical experience
- Placement in 200+ clerkships across specialties at HMS-affiliated hospitals
- Direct supervision by attending faculty
- Rounds, case discussions, and bedside teaching participation
- Certificate of completion at end of program
Required clerkships completed
How to apply
- Identify a faculty host or coordinator at the program.Many IMG observerships require a faculty sponsor BEFORE you can apply. Use the contact email in the sidebar.
- Submit your application packet directly to the program.Typical packet: CV, USMLE scores or ECFMG certificate, letter of intent, proof of funding, immunizations, and (for INTL) translated medical license.
- Pay any required application or program fee.Many programs charge a non-refundable application fee + per-rotation program fee. See the cost tile above for this program's specific amounts.
- Complete pre-arrival paperwork and visa coordination.Most IMG observerships do not sponsor educational visas — applicants travel on B-1/B-2 visitor status. Confirm before booking travel.
Available specialties
Eligibility requirements
Final-year medical students; US and international (criteria vary by affiliate); core clerkships completed; VSLO-enabled home school.
USMLE / COMLEX: Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 recommended or required per affiliate
Graduation year: Class of 2027
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