Northwestern Feinberg Visiting Students Program
Chicago, Illinois · Visiting Student (MD/DO)
Always confirm details on the official institution page before applying. Requirements, fees, and deadlines can change.
About this program
Feinberg's Visiting Students Program receives thousands of applications each year for a limited number of clerkship seats on its Streeterville campus, home to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lurie Children's Hospital, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The domestic track is open to 4th-year students at LCME/AOA-accredited US schools, plus 3rd-year students who have completed core clerkships in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and OB/GYN. International students may apply only from select Global Partner institutions with active exchange agreements. All applications are processed through AAMC VSLO with the AAMC Standardized Immunization Form; rotations are offered in 8-week blocks. The 2026-2027 cycle opened March 9, 2026. Feinberg additionally runs the McGaw Visiting Clerkship Stipend for US-citizen or permanent-resident students approved for AAMC Fee Assistance Program and interested in community health — up to $1,000 for rotations at NMH/Shirley Ryan and up to $2,000 at Lurie Children's.
AAMC VSLO platform
Applications submitted through your home medical school's Dean's office.
Quick highlights
Strong points
- Verified direct sourceAudited URL — no platform middleman, no scraped data
- Stipend-payingReceives a paid stipend (rare for IMG observerships)
- Multi-specialty (3+)Placement available across multiple clinical departments
- INTL physicians eligibleOpen to international medical graduates
Watch for
- VSLO platform requiredYour home medical school must participate in AAMC VSLO
- USMLE Step requiredStep 1 / COMLEX Level 1 passed + BLS/ACLS
Fees, duration & what it costs
What's included
- 8-week rotation blocks throughout the year of structured clinical experience
- Placement in your chosen specialty across 3 departments
- 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
- Confirm eligibility with your home Dean's office.Verify your school participates in VSLO and that you have completed any required core clerkships.
- Open the program's official Visiting Students page.Review the current elective catalog, available specialties, and any program-specific forms.
- Submit your application through the AAMC VSLO platform.Your home Dean's office handles the submission. Include the Dean's letter of permission and any required documentation.
- Wait for the program to assign your rotation.Lead time varies by demand. Programs review on a rolling or cohort schedule (see Lead time tile above).
- Complete pre-arrival onboarding.Health clearance, malpractice attestation, immunization documentation, and orientation are coordinated by the program before your start date.
Available specialties
Eligibility requirements
4th-year or qualified 3rd-year US medical students; international from Global Partner schools only; core clerkships completed.
USMLE / COMLEX: Step 1 / COMLEX Level 1 passed + BLS/ACLS
Graduation year: Class of 2027
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