Program Overview
The Achieving Health Excellence by Addressing Disparities Visiting Student Program (AHEAD-VSP) is for non-MUSC students who wish to participate in a fourth-year clinical rotation at MUSC and explore its residency programs. AHEAD-VSP is open to all students, including those with disabilities, those from rural backgrounds, first-generation college students, those who are members of medically-underserved communities, and all students interested in addressing health care disparities in the communities they serve.
The goal of this program is to recruit talented residents who have met all requirements for visiting student rotations listed on the Visiting Students Learning Opportunities (VSLO) website, and aid MUSC in addressing healthcare disparities. Once accepted as a visiting student in the clinical rotation through VSLO, students may participate in the AHEAD Visiting Student Program. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept international medical students as they are not eligible for VSLO.
Participants have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the College of Medicine Dean’s Office to learn more about the experiences of students and residents from different backgrounds and cultures at MUSC. Support for travel and housing may be available to applicants through individual departments. To apply for these funds, students must first submit a completed VSLO application including the department-specific requirements listed on VSLO (please contact individual departments for more information). While gaining experience in their selected disciplines, visiting students have access to the MUSC library, Center for Academic Excellence, MUSC Wellness Center, and other student facilities, as well as to various educational programs and seminars.
Components of the program:
- Student Engagement: All AHEAD-VSP visiting students meet with representatives from the College of Medicine Dean’s Office and residents with different backgrounds and multicultural experiences to learn more about what it’s like to live in Charleston and train at MUSC.
- Student Scholarship: All AHEAD-VSP visiting students may apply for a scholarship to support travel and housing while at MUSC, provided by the department to which the student is accepted. The department decides the number and amount of scholarships available and also decides who is awarded scholarship. See list below for departments participating in the scholarship component of AHEAD-VSP. Please contact the department for more specific information on criteria for scholarship.
Applying
Application for the AHEAD-VSP opens February 2, 2026, and closes May 29, 2026.
