Up to three $2,500 scholarships available!
Program Overview
The UVM Larner College of Medicine believes that a strategic investment to increase access to residency programs will build a strong pathway for future residents and faculty. We are proud to offer scholarship opportunities to help support medical students who may face circumstances that would traditionally limit participation in visiting rotations.
The Visiting Student Scholarship program (VSS) in Orthopaedics aims to encourage visiting 4th year medical students to gain valuable learning experiences in Vermont with a focus on students who are able to demonstrate their commitment to the Larner College of Medicine’s Tenets of Professionalism, UVM's Our Common Ground values, and improving health care delivery to underserved areas and populations.
The Orthopaedic Surgery Visiting Student Scholarship provides up to three $2,500 scholarships to the selected recipients to support travel and housing during the elective.
Typical Day
Typical Day
Students will work at the UVM Medical Center, the only Level One trauma hospital for a large geographic area including Vermont and upstate New York, our outpatient surgical center, as well as our outpatient clinic in the greater Burlington, Vermont area.
Students will gain experience in various settings, including patient rounds, office visits at our clinic, emergency department consultations, and scrubbing in on surgeries. They will encounter a wide range of orthopaedic injuries and diseases and will have ample opportunities to participate in many procedures.
This four-week experience is specifically designed to introduce senior students to the field of orthopaedic surgery in preparation for an orthopaedic residency. The goal is to provide a comprehensive surgical and clinical experience.
UVM Orthopaedics provides subspecialty faculty in all disciplines in the setting of a Level 1 trauma center. The student will participate in a block of time on two services with experiences in other areas.
The student is expected to participate fully at the level of an intern by the conclusion of the rotation, including taking responsibility for individual patients on rounds, work in the clinics and in the operating room suite. Reliability, responsibility, team-participation and professionalism are measured. A formal presentation to the residents and faculty is required for successful completion.



Active Mentorship
Students will benefit from mentorship and advising, working closely with our residents and faculty from varied backgrounds. Key elements include daily didactics, mid-rotation Q&A with our Program Director, and guidance from faculty with diverse subspecialty training and interests.
Important Information
Eligibility
The Visiting Student Scholarship is available to:
- Fourth-year medical students.
- Students who have completed all core clinical clerkships before participating in the program.
- Students who are in good academic standing in a medical school at a U.S. LCME accredited allopathic institution (are enrolled in medical degree-granting programs) or students who are in good standing at a U.S. COCA accredited osteopathic institution (are enrolled in a DO-granting program).
The scholarship is UNAVAILABLE to medical students who:
- Attend or have graduated from non-U.S. medical schools
- Attend medical schools that are not LCME accredited by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) or COCA accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
- Are foreign medical students on an F-1 Visa who attend U.S. medical schools
All students meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and participate in the program.
Scholarship Details
- The Orthopaedic Surgery VSS program provides up to three scholarships of $2,500 to assist in travel and lodging while accepted students rotate in an elective at the UVM Larner College of Medicine. Scholarship funds are provided in the form of a check to the visiting medical student after they successfully complete their elective rotation at UVM.
- VSS applications will be reviewed once all required documents are received.
- Students must have accepted their desired department/specialty offer at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) to receive the scholarship funds.
- Scholarship recipients are responsible for making their own housing and travel arrangements, unless the department makes arrangements otherwise.
Application + Selection
Apply at the Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) website
- All students wishing to participate in a visiting elective at the UVM Larner College of Medicine must apply through the VSLO website and pay the VSLO application fee.
- After submitting your VSLO application, contact the VSS program coordinator.
Applicants must submit a personal statement (no more than 500 words) addressing their interest in the UVM Larner College of Medicine and VSS program, including specialty and career goals. Successful applicants will be those who, through their unique lived experiences, are able to demonstrate their commitment to the Larner College of Medicine’s Tenets of Professionalism, UVM's Our Common Ground values, and improving health care delivery to underserved areas and populations.
Course Dates
Rotation dates follow the Larner College of Medicine academic calendar.
• June 2 – June 27, 2025
• June 30 – July 25, 2025
• August 4 – August 29, 2025
• September 1 - September 26, 2025
• September 29 – October 24, 2025
Feedback + Evaluations
PowerPoint presentation required at conclusion of rotation. Teaching evaluations for faculty mentor and/or resident staff required. Evaluations will be completed by the course director and individual faculty and/or resident staff with close observation of the student. Grades for transcript purposes will be based on each student’s home institution grade options.
Contact Information
Associate Residency Program Director
Orthopedic Specialty Advising Coordinator
802-256-3804