Student Programs
Our central mission at WashU Medicine is to prepare the next generation of science and medicine innovators and change-makers — and the only way to achieve this goal is to invite all of tomorrow’s leaders to the table.
Advanced Clinical Rotations (ACR) are four-week programs offered during the blocks below:
| Phase 3 Block No. | Weeks | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – 4 | January 12, 2026 – February 8, 2026 |
| 2 | 5 – 8 | February 9, 2026 – March 8, 2026 |
| 3 | 9 – 12 | March 9, 2026 – April 5, 2026 |
| 4 | 13 – 16 | April 6, 2026 – May 3, 2026 |
| 5 | 17 – 20 | May 4, 2026 – May 31, 2026 |
| 6 | 21 – 24 | June 1, 2026 – June 28, 2026 |
| Summer Recess: June 29 – July 5, 2026 | ||
| 7 | 25 – 28 | July 6, 2026 – August 2, 2026 |
| 8 | 29 – 32 | August 3, 2026 – August 30, 2026 |
| 9 | 33 – 36 | August 31, 2026 – September 27, 2026 |
| 10 | 37 – 40 | September 28, 2026 – October 25, 2026 |
| 11 | 41 – 44 | October 26, 2026 – November 22, 2026 |
| 12 | 45 – 48 | November 23, 2026 – December 20, 2026 |
| Winter Recess: December 21, 2026 – January 10, 2027 | ||
| 13 | 49 – 52 | January 11, 2027 – February 7, 2027 |
| 14 | 53 – 56 | February 8, 2027 – March 7, 2027 |
| 15 | 57 – 60 | March 8, 2027 – April 4, 2027 |
| 16 | 61 – 64 | April 5, 2027 – May 2, 2027 |
We do not accept students off the rotation blocks as outlined above.
Advanced Clinical Rotations, ACRs, (previously known as sub-internships), involves working with multiple world-renowned faculty members, offering exposure to the full breadth of our program and our residents. During the advanced clinical rotation, students will take on a role similar to that of an intern, attending (with house staff) all core curriculum conferences, morbidity and mortality conferences, rotation-based clinical case conferences and simulation lab experiences.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Currently enrolled in a domestic institution. Unfortunately, we do not currently accept anyone from an international institution.
- Enrolled in the final year of medical school and in good academic standing at an LCME-accredited institution
- All required core clerkships are complete
Students will be accepted into clinical rotations only if space is available during the preferred time period. All students must meet requirements set forth by the WashU Medicine for all visiting students. The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery independently pre-screens all applicants for this ACR.
Before applying to VSLO, students must submit the following documents to the program coordinator, Emily Stroisch:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of interest (500-word limit) stating why you are applying for a visiting medical student rotation with our program, and whether or not you are interested in being considered for the Washington University Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program and/or the Diversity Advanced Clinical Rotation Program
- Rotation dates that you would prefer, indicating preference order (i.e., 1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.)
- A recent, unofficial medical school transcript
- USMLE or COMLEX Score Report
Once pre-screening materials have been received, they will be reviewed by the division and applicants will be informed of their acceptance within two weeks from submission. Once an applicant has been approved, they will need then to apply online through VSLO, where they will be verified by the medical student office. Questions regarding the Plastic Surgery ACR may be directed to Emily Stroisch.
VSLO applications submitted for the Plastic Surgery Advanced Clinical Rotation without prior division approval will be denied.
Washington University School of Medicine will open applications to medical students via the AAMC Visiting Student Application Service (VSLO) site for the 2026-27 academic year on February 16, 2026.
Applications must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the rotation date.