Clinical Rotations and Electives In the USA

A clinical elective (also known as clerkship or medical clerkship) in the USA is designed to expose third, fourth, and final year international medical students to the U.S. health care system firsthand. Opting for a clinical elective during medical school as a final year medical student gives invaluable hands-on experience before graduation. Applicants undertaking medical electives in the USA often do so at the same hospital they wish to do residency in, which is called rotation auditioning. Choosing electives in the USA exposes interns to intense hands-on clinical experience including taking patient case histories, direct patient contact, performing physical examinations, and presenting their cases to an attending physician. Having a U.S. clinical elective under your belt can greatly boost an intern’s residency application. Clinical electives typically last four to six weeks but can be extended upon request. Applicants are advised to apply for their clinical rotation and electives at least 6 months in advance.