2026-2027 Visiting Student Course Catalog

General Information
McGovern Medical School uses VSLO to receive visiting student applications for senior elective request(s).  Visiting students must be in their final year of study and may only apply for electives offered August – April (Block 4-13).  Our electives are offered in four-week blocks as listed below.  Visiting students are limited to no more than two (2) electives.   Applications are due no later than 30 days prior to requested block.  The application process normally takes 3-4 weeks.  Official approval to rotate at McGovern Medical School is granted solely by the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs.  Approvals obtained directly from department coordinators or faculty will not be honored.

If you are applying for an elective at the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (LBJ) you will be required to have transportation.

APC Electives are not open to visiting students.

For more information on our visiting student electives, please email [email protected]

For more information on VSLO, please visit their website or contact VSLO at [email protected] or 202-478-9878.

Visiting Student Blocks Available for Rotation: https://students-residents.aamc.org/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/visiting-student-learning-opportunities-vslo 

Application Request Procedure
Students enrolled in VSLO participating schools must complete and submit an application through VSLO.

Requirements

1. Statement of good standing.
2. Official medical school transcript.
3. Verification that you are covered by malpractice insurance.
4. Verification of immunizations, including the completion of Hepatitis B vaccination series or proof of immunity and COVID vaccines/boosters.
5. Proof of health insurance coverage (including both sides, of current insurance card must accompany application).
6. USMLE scores.
7. Photograph.
8. A $125.00 per block non-refundable processing fee. Please DO NOT SEND PERSONAL CHECKS OR CASH.   Processing fee must be a money order made payable to UT-HSC. Money orders can be easily obtained at your local Post Office or convenience stores.
9. There is a $125.00 charge for any change to your approved application.
10. All above mentioned documents and application fees must be received in the Office of Student Affairs at least one month before the requested elective start date.

Housing and Parking

McGovern Medical School does not provide housing or parking for visiting students.

For parking options please call the Texas Medical Center Parking Office at 713-791-6161 or visit their website: https://www.tmc.edu/parking/ 

Each elective is four-weeks in duration – see block dates below.  Visiting students are limited to no more than two (2) electives.  Official approval to rotate at McGovern Medical School is granted solely by the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs.  *Approvals obtained directly from faculty and department coordinators will not be honored.*

Before your application can be reviewed, we must receive all of the original documents in English (Photocopy or facsimile will not be accepted).  A separate complete application packet must be submitted for each elective block.  The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs will notify you by e-mail if space is available in the time period you requested.  Applications are not accepted for the month of May (Block1), June (Block 2), July (Block 3).  Normal process time for an application is 3-4 weeks.  However, all required documents mentioned below and application fee must be received in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs 4 months before the requested start date.

International – Visiting Students cannot rotate at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (LBJ).

APC electives are not open to visiting students.

Requirements:

The following must be ORIGINAL documents in English.  Fax copies will NOT be accepted.

1. Official medical school transcript (must list courses taken and notation of level of achievement in each course).
2. Dean’s letter and two clinical faculty letters of recommendation.
3. Verification that you have completed all clinical rotations (grades must be posted on your official transcript), which include OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, and Internal Medicine.
4. Verification that you are covered by malpractice insurance with coverage amounts for the requested rotation dates you are requesting to be considered.
5. Please note that you MUST have taken and passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step (USMLE 1). Please provide a copy of your official score report, front and back, showing scores for USMLE 1.
6. A copy of your up-to-date BLS (Basic Life Support) and/or ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certificate.
7. Verification of Immunizations, including the completion of Hepatitis B vaccination series or proof of immunity and COVID vaccines/boosters.
8. You are required to have health insurance coverage with medical evacuation and repatriation- please send a copy of this coverage with your application. If you prefer you could purchase it through The McGovern Medical School on your first day during orientation.  The current cost for the medical insurance is $287.00 per month and includes the AES (Evacuation/Repatriation).
9. If you are attending a medical school in a country whose official language is NOT English, you must provide either a notarized statement that English is your native language OR a proof that you have taken and passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam (TOEFL) with a minimum Internet Based Score of 100, regardless of English familiarity. Official scores should be submitted as part of the application documents.
10. A payment of $1,000 (USD) per block non-refundable application fee for each application.
11. There is an additional $300 (USD) charge for any change to your approved application. You must notify us by email with your cancelation request. If you make any changes to your application, you must make a payment of $300. Your new application sheet must be signed by your school with your new request.
12. Imprint of your official school seal is required on the application.
13. Upon approval for a medical elective and in accordance with university policies and federal regulations, all Non-US citizens must follow directions from the McGovern Medical School Office of International Affairs. Upon acceptance for a medical elective an international visitor advisor will contact you to provide you with vital information on how to apply for your F-1 Student VISA, which is the ONLY (student) visa accepted by this institution.  If your VISA is granted, your first obligation under the F-1 visa mandates a visit to the McGovern Medical School’ International Affairs Office upon your arrival in Houston. B-1/B-2 visa IS NOT accepted for participation in the Visiting Medical Student Elective Program at McGovern Medical School. McGovern Medical School will not support a change of status to F-1 visa status either of these visas for visiting medical elective students and McGovern Medical School will not allow other non-immigrant visa holders to pursue medical electives.

Housing and Parking:
McGovern Medical School does not provide housing or parking for visiting students.

For parking options please call the Texas Medical Center Parking Office at 713-791-6161 or visit their website: https://www.tmc.edu/parking/

If you need further information, please contact McGovern Visiting Student Program at [email protected]

This year, our MS4 catalog is available through a portal. Please note, it is a combined portal that consists of Visiting Students and McGovern students’ electives. Visiting students can only apply to electives listed on the Visiting Student section. Applications are not accepted for the month of May (Block1), June (Block 2), July (Block 3). For international students, you can only apply to electives that are open to receiving international student applications.