Visiting Medical Students – Columbia

Providing the highest quality care with compassion and dignity to all patients

At Prisma Health, in partnership with the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Columbia, we regard medical education, graduate medical education, graduate dental education and research as an integral part of our commitment to provide patient care to all in need. We welcome eligible senior visiting students as space permits.

As a visiting medical student, you will have an opportunity to be a part of the care team. You will attend teaching rounds and conferences, see patients with common and rare diseases and participate in educational activities while meeting and interacting with program directors and faculty.

For Greenville rotations, see Visiting Medical Students – Greenville

The USC School of Medicine’s Visiting Student Elective Program accepts senior medical students from schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). They have elective opportunities available for visiting students primarily at its affiliate hospital, Prisma Health Richland Hospital.

Visiting students shall be limited to a maximum of 8 weeks (two four-week rotations). Electives will be assigned to visiting students only after all home students have been scheduled.

Eligibility

Visiting students must be candidates for the MD or DO degree and in good academic standing in an accredited school or from institutions with which the school has a formal exchange. The USC School of Medicine does not accept third-year medical students.

Visiting students also must:

• Have liability insurance
• Have health insurance
• Have and submit a complete immunization record
• Have passed a criminal background check
• Upon acceptance, complete all onboarding requirements including Learning Hub modules, payment of rotational fee, providing any additional immunizations, and/or establish an affiliation agreement (if one is not already in place)

2024-2025 Rotation Dates

Our electives are four weeks in duration:

• July 8, 2024 – August 2, 2024
• August 5, 2024 – August 30, 2024
• September 2, 2024 – September 27, 2024
• September 30, 2024 – October 25, 2024
• October 28, 2024 – November 22, 2024
• November 25, 2024 – December 20, 2024
• January 6, 2025 – January 31, 2025
• February 3, 2025 – February 28, 2025
• March 3, 2025 – March 28, 2025

How to apply

Visiting students interested in taking a fourth-year elective at the USC School of Medicine must apply through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO).

Completing the initial VLSO application is only the first step of the process and does not guarantee approval/acceptance for the rotation until ALL requested items have been submitted. Completing these steps will fast track the final decision for rotation approval. Upon rotation approval, you will be required to complete Prisma Health Clinical Rotation Orientation.

For specific information about applying to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine through VSLO, please visit: https://students-residents.aamc.org/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/visiting-student-learning-opportunities-vslo. 

Questions? Contact VSLO at VSLO@AAMC.org or 202-428-9898.

More information

Badges and IT accesses

Upon elective acceptance, additional information will be emailed to you regarding student orientation and clearance. The ID badge is part of each student's official attire and must be worn at all times during rotation hours. The ID badge must be clearly visible and worn above the waist, preferably on the lapel area. 

Lodging

NO housing is available through Prisma Health. Students in the past have contacted local hotels and/or have utilized Airbnb. There is also a business that works with the local apartment community to provide fully furnished apartments for short term placement of students and employees. Please visit https://www.locatehousing.com.  You may also try www.furnishedfinder.com.

Contact Us

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia
6311 Garners Ferry Rd., Building 3
Columbia SC, 29208
registrar@uscmed.sc.edu
803-216-3625