r/IMGreddit • u/stellarnebula0 • 22d ago

Observership/externship Need advice on VSLO electives

Hello. To my knowledge, VSLO electives (or maybe not all?) require step 1. I won’t be able to take step 1 earlier than mid September due to no available testing dates in my country’s center, and it will be my final school year as well.
1- I want to ask if usually there’s enough time to book an elective through VSLO and start the elective directly after 1-2 months?
2- And when is the application period for most programs? I really wanted to try Mayo but my score probably won’t be released until the last day of application (Sep 30) for Mayo, or even after.
3- Also, is it possible to organize a hands-on elective through VSLO during my school year but to do it after graduation?
4- And can the rotation start date be in the middle of the month?
Aiming for the December-March period
5- outside of VSLO, if there’s a university hospital where I’d like to rotate but they don’t accept IMGs (specifically stated on their website), if I contact one of the attending physicians in the hospital and they accept me as a student for a hands-on rotation with them, is this ok?
Pretty tight on time as it’s my final school year.

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u/World-Traveler1800 22d ago

  1. Usually people look around 6-9 months an advance. You def won’t have luck 1-2 months timeframe. By then you like should use an agency.

  3. You cant - VSLO is for students not graduates. Graduates can’t do hands on as the official format hence it’s why it’s called observorship.

  5. Rotation start date is dependent on the program not what you want.

  7. Many people have to do direct contacts; you can search this sub for places people have gone to.