Accepting applications: 2025-2026 (VSLO opens mid-to-late February)
Application deadline: See below.
Available positions: Eight (per 4-week block)
Department Chair: Benjamin A. Alman, MD
Residency Program Director: William C. Eward, MD, DVM
Medical Student Sub-Internship Course Instructor: Kendall E. Bradley, MD
The orthopaedic surgery sub-internship rotation is open primarily to medical students who plan to apply for a position in the Duke Orthopaedic Surgery residency training program.
Students who wish to complete a sub-internship but do not plan to apply to our residency training program should select dates during the Spring Term (if space is available).
The Duke University School of Medicine (SOM) application requirements must be met to rotate at Duke officially. The Duke SOM will contact Orthopaedic Surgery for approval if the requirements are met. If both parties approve it, the Duke SOM will notify students through VSLO.
- Deadline #1: March 14, 2025. Submitted applications for the summer and fall terms will be reviewed, and offers will be sent out in April. Applicants will have one week to accept or decline. They must meet all requirements by Duke SOM. A waitlist will be kept.
2025-2026 Sub-Internship Rotation Dates
|
Summer 2025 |
Fall 2025 |
Spring 2026 |
| 41/ May 5 - 30 (Duke Students only) |
*41/ August 25 - September 19 |
42/ February 2 - 27 |
| 42/ June 2 - 27 (Duke Students only) |
*42/ September 22 - October 17 |
44/ March 30 - April 24 |
|
*43/ June 30 - July 25 (Duke+Visiting Students-–limited availability for rotators) |
*43/ October 20 - November 14 |
|
|
*44/ July 28 - August 22 |
*44/ November 17 - December 12 |
|
*We know that some medical school calendars do not coincide with the Duke University School of Medicine elective calendar. The Duke SOM does not allow for alternate start dates. We are confident that your home school will try to accommodate your request if given reasonable advanced notice.
**Students who wish to complete a sub-internship but do not plan to apply to our residency training program should select dates during the Spring Term (if space is available).
What you'll need
Permission Number: Contact Wendy Thompson (wendy.thompson@duke.edu or 919-684-3170) requesting an enrollment permission number with your preferred rotation dates. Once students successfully enroll with a permission number, they are automatically accepted.
What you'll need
Before applying, determine your eligibility (e.g., affiliation agreement between schools, participation requirements, and more) by visiting the Duke University School of Medicine, Office of the Registrar web site for Visiting Students. If you have questions, Contact Scott Campbell at scott.campbell@duke.edu or 919-684-8042.
Application Process
- Completed VSLO application
- Completed Orthopaedic application and upload to VSLO.
- Curriculum vitae: Upload to VSLO
- Personal statement: Upload to VSLO
- The statement should include a brief description of the student's background, educational experience, honors, extracurricular activities, research activities and interests, plans for residency training, and future goals.
- Letter of reference: Upload to VSLO
- The letter should come from an orthopaedic surgeon (preferred, not required) with whom you’ve worked in a clinical setting or a research project.
- Transcript: Upload to VSLO
- USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 (or COMLEX Step 1): Upload to VSLO.
Preferred Dates
Students should specify all dates on which they are available. It is not possible to offer every student their top/only preference.
Notification
Orthopaedic Surgery provides a full educational experience with approximately 9 students per 4-week block – training approximately 40-44 medical students annually.
Scott Campbell, Visiting Student Coordinator, will notify students regarding the status of their application after the application deadline.
- For Summer Terms, VSLO notification typically occurs by April 1st.
- For Fall Terms, VSLO notification typically occurs by mid-April.
- The Duke University School of Medicine application requirements must be met to rotate at Duke officially.
- The Duke University School of Medicine stipulates that Duke medical students must have the opportunity to enroll before notifying visiting medical students confirming their acceptance.
Scott Campbell, Visiting Student Coordinator
Duke University School of Medicine, Office of the Registrar
Office (919) 684-8042
scott.campbell@dm.duke.edu
Contact Scott Campbell to inquire about application requirements (e.g., VSLO open date, VSLO application requirements checklist, professional liability) and participation requirements (e.g., background check, immunizations).
Wendy Thompson, C-TAGME, GME Program Coordinator
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Office (919) 684-3170
wendy.thompson@duke.edu
Contact Wendy Thompson to inquire about orthopaedic one-page application, rotation schedules, and core curriculum.
When is the earliest Duke students can do a sub-internship at Duke?
Duke students (4th year) could take the first section offered during the Summer Term (early May). Duke students get first choice of dates before filling remaining spots with visiting students.
When are the earliest visiting students notified of their acceptance?
Visiting students can expect to receive notification mid-to-late April (a couple of weeks after the deadline).
How many students are on each block?
To maximize student experience, we plan to take no more than seven students per block as of 2025. However, given the small size of our blocks, we still encourage you to apply in the general application cycle if you are not offered a rotation.
Will I be interviewed for the residency program during my rotation?
Starting in 2025, we will invite selected students back as part of our traditional in-person interview day. We have no minimum or maximum number of rotators to be invited back.
Are there scholarships?
With recent changes, Duke has not received direct financial aid.
Are holidays observed on sub-internships?
Students may not report for clinical duties (including call) on Duke SOM holidays (July 4th, Labor Day (1st), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26-30).