Away Electives: Planning and Information
This information is for D&I and Post-Lab students who plan to apply for away electives. If you continue to have questions after reviewing this information, please submit a UserVoice ticket.
All D&I students will receive an invitation to join VSLO. If you are returning from a Research Year or are a Post-Lab student and need access, please submit a UserVoice ticket to request access. If you don't redeem your invitation by the expiration date, please submit a UserVoice ticket to request that your invitation be re-sent. For any technical issues redeeming your invitation or with your AAMC account, please call VSLO support at the number on their website.
VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunities) is a platform many schools use to manage applications for their visiting student programming. Not everyone will use this service, and not all schools'/programs' visiting student applications are listed in VSLO.
For more information about how to use the platform, please review these VSLO resources.
Documents to prepare for applications:
- Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation
- Background Checks
- BLS (for returning students)
- HIPAA Certificate
- Letters of Good Standing
- Columbia's Memorandum of Insurance (MOI)
- OSHA/Infection Control/Bloodborne Pathogens Certification
- Home Evaluation for Away Electives
We will check VSLO daily February through April to upload documents, verify students, and release applications, but please give us 48-72 hours to process your request. We will check VSLO weekly outside of this timeframe, but please submit a UserVoice ticket if your documents haven't been uploaded and/or applications released after a week of submission.
Resources available on VP&S Career Connect:
While these are specific for residency support, they may be helpful guidance.
- Advisors
- Class Meetings on Residency
- Sample CVs
- LOR Tips/Forms (scroll down towards bottom of page)
- Match Profile Data (shows if students did an away where they matched)
Information from Student Financial Aid and Planning regarding funding:
Additional information: