Policy on Student Assignment to Clerkships and Clinical Sites

Students are permitted to request a change in clerkship and clinical site assignment. A student may formally request an alternative assignment at any time prior to the start of the rotation as well as once the student has reported to a specific site.

Stream Assignment

Upon receipt of clerkship stream assignments for the year, students dissatisfied for any reason may seek out a classmate with whom to swap an entire clerkship stream. Both parties must indicate their willingness to swap in writing to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs.

Rotation Assignment

A request to change a specific clinical site assignment must be made in writing to the appropriate clerkship or rotation administrator. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and are reviewed by the Vice Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs or designee in consultation with the clerkship director. Approval of a request to change rotation assignments is contingent on available space in the clinical sites, and is at the discretion of the clerkship administration. Requested changes are not always feasible, as the clerkship must ensure the quality of the educational experience for all students.

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Policy Name
Policy on Student Assignment to Clerkships and Clinical Sites

Policy Number - DO NOT USE

Original Approval Date
18 October 2023

Approved by
Curriculum Committee (18 October 2023)

Periodic Review Schedule
Every 3 years, next review due on OCT 26

Applicable Stakeholders
Medical students, clerkship directors, required CFT rotation directors, CFT directors

Purpose of Policy

To describe the process for students to request change in clinical site assignments.

Review Completed by
N/A

Notified Groups & Methods of Communication
MS3 and MS4 Students, Canvas page
Public, MMS Website

Type of policy
Minor Revision of an existing policy

Template Completion Date
20 November 2023

Originating Office/Committee
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

Responsible Office/Committee For Implementation And Monitoring
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

LCME Required Policy
Yes

LCME Element(s) Number and Description

10.9 Student Assignment

A medical school assumes ultimate responsibility for the selection and assignment of medical students to each location and/or parallel curriculum (i.e., track) and identifies the administrative office that fulfills this responsibility. A process exists whereby a medical student with an appropriate rationale can request an alternative assignment when circumstances allow for it.