Why do we talk so much about doing a medical rotation in the United States?

An international experience in medicine can be important in many aspects of your medical career. We could talk about cultural, social, and personal development aspects. Getting to know new cultures and interacting with people from different backgrounds would already be enough on its own. However, talking about an international medical experience allows us to address less obvious aspects, ones that can definitively impact your professional life.

When we talk about international clerkships in the context of U.S. residency, the USMLE process, diploma validation, and applying for residency in the United States, one clarification is needed: doing a clerkship (observership or hands-on clerkship) is not a mandatory requirement to apply for a residency spot in the U.S. It’s not an exclusion criterion. It’s possible to match (be accepted into a residency program) without having done a clerkship — but it’s not recommended. Not having this experience can put you at a disadvantage and weaken your application (though not necessarily!). Calm down: keep reading.

At this point, I’m sure you’re asking yourself: “Wait, if it’s not mandatory, why does everyone talk so much about doing a clerkship in the U.S.?”

By securing a clerkship opportunity in the United States, you’ll be exposed to the American healthcare system: you’ll shadow and work alongside attendings, residents, other medical students, and the entire team of professionals in the hospital or clinic. You’ll have the opportunity to be useful, show your skills, learn a lot, and, of course, be evaluated. Preceptors (and honestly, everyone you interact with from the first moment they see you) will be assessing you. They may provide feedback and, depending on your performance and how you communicate your goals, they may even write you a letter of recommendation.

And this is where you begin to understand why clerkships are so important for those seeking residency in the U.S.: letters of recommendation (LoRs) are a required part of your residency application. And they are VERY important. Since these letters are written by professionals within the U.S. healthcare system, doctors who have directly observed you (to some degree) and evaluated your performance and characteristics, they provide residency programs with crucial insights about you.

But that’s not all. Clerkships are not just about getting to know the healthcare system or earning a strong letter of recommendation. During your rotation, you’ll meet other professionals and start building your network. You’ll make contacts, form bonds, and maybe even unlock opportunities that would otherwise be impossible. You might hear about other clerkship opportunities, research openings, conferences, or receive new invitations. In other words, clerkships can open doors. You know that person who always seems to land incredible (and sometimes impossible) opportunities? Exactly.

“Okay, I get it! But how do I actually get a clerkship? I don’t even know where to start…”

If you’ve read this far, I need to tell you: you’re in the right place. If you’re not one of our students and don’t yet have access to the Scrubs Community Clerkship Hub, you can still do your own research directly on institutional websites.

Look for: “International Medical Student” OR “International Medical Graduate” + “Clerkship” OR “Observership.” You can also send strategic emails directly to attending physicians.

So, what do you think? Shall we start looking for a medical clerkship in the United States?

If you have questions or comments, drop them below!