Visiting Clerkship Scholars Program

Sponsored by the Office for Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE) at Harvard Medical School (HMS), the Visiting Clerkship Scholars Program (VCSP) provides an immersive experience for fourth-year and qualified third-year medical students who have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to service, and a passion for advancing equity in health care. Through immersive clinical experiences, mentorship, and programming focused on leadership development, community engagement, and career advancement, scholars will gain insights, needed tools and networks to help them thrive in academic medicine and become future leaders with a focus on health equity.

Benefits

• Over 200 clerkship options across the specialties,along with combined programs that provide students with experience at more than one Harvard-affiliate hospital during a single rotation
• Mentorship and Networking with faculty and residents across the Harvard-affiliated hospitals, including dinner with faculty, trainees and other VCSP scholars
• Stipend to support travel and housing
• Lectures focused on leadership skills, community engagement, careers in academic medicine, and advancing health equity
• Learning opportunities about pursuing careers in academic medicine, research, advocacy and policy

Eligibility

• Full-time third- or fourth-year medical student in good standing at an LCME- or COCA- accredited medical school
• Have completed all core clinical clerkships
• Have passed USMLE or COMLEX Step 1 and either scheduled for or passed USMLE or COMLEX Step 2
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to health equity, leadership, and service

Application

Candidates for the VCSP must complete two applications: the application for the clerkship through the VSLO and this application for the program. Note the deadlines below. 

• Complete the online VCSP application.
• Upload your personal statement and CV.
• Secure a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who can speak to your skills in a clinical setting, and your commitments to community and health equity.
• Apply to your preferred clerkship through the VSLO application service when it is posted (see below). Elective courses are posted on the HMS Registrar’s Exchange Clerkship page.
• SUBMIT your completed application no later than March 15, 2026.

Important Notes

• While rotations are available year-round, the Visiting Clerkship Scholarship Program is only offered June through October.
• Carefully review the deadlines and notification dates for VSLO application. With the exception of candidates applying for the month of June, it will be the case that your application for the Scholars program will be due before the clerkship options for July – October are posted. If you are interested in the Scholars program, submit your application by the March 15 deadline and just note your clerkship area of interest. If selected as a Scholar, we will hold a place for you in the program until you find out if you have received a clerkship placement.
• Spots within the VCSP are limited and some applicants may be placed in a clerkship by the HMS registrar but not be accepted into the VCSP. In those cases, the applicant may still participate in their clerkship, but will not be able to participate in the VCSP program.

VCSP Dates & Deadlines

March 15, 2026: VCSP Application and all supporting documents due

April 15, 2026: Candidates notified of decision

June – October: Clerkship Rotations