Applications for Summer 2025 will begin to be accepted January 31, 2025, please make sure all application materials are submitted by March 1.
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania offers externship opportunities at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, the New Bolton Center Large Animal Hospital, and the Working Dog Center to senior students from other (US) veterinary institutions. Preference is given to students from AVMA Accredited Veterinary Colleges. It is required that applicants complete the equivalent "core" material at their own institution prior to the Penn Rotation(s). Externships are only available in the SPRING SEMESTER, rotations 1 –9 of our school’s schedule. Exceptions include the externships for the Working Dog Center and the Large Animal Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Giving our team flexibility in scheduling (dates and/or desired rotations) will increase the likelihood that we can schedule you for a visit. Your rotation(s) must correspond exactly to our school’s schedule-no exceptions. When requesting a rotation - list first, second, third choices if possible. We will accept students for no more than one (1), Three-week rotations. Although the application portal is open year-round, the Office of Admissions and Student Life will only schedule extern students after we know the clinical scheduling needs of our Penn Vet clinical students.
Extern students are responsible for many aspects of patient care and will be required to provide treatments for hospitalized patients, including weekends. Please be aware that these are participatory externships and not merely “shadowing” experiences. You will be expected to honor and complete your externship commitment and have the ability to read, write and speak in English.
Penn Vet does offer externship slots to international students from AVMA accredited institutions. However, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship to foreign national participants looking to apply for our externships. With regard to a visa, the Type B visa is one that would apply to international students looking to do an externship in the US. Students would apply for it directly, rather than the University issuing. Applicants should fill out the form associated with B visa and then schedule an interview with the local US embassy or consulate - Visitor Visa (state.gov).
Externships by Area of Interest
If you are interested in applying for a specific type of externship at Penn Vet, please check the list of options, requirements, and contact information below.
Externships – Specific Areas of Interest
| Diagnostic Services | |
| Lab Animal | |
| Large Animal Theriogenology | - Applicants must provide documentation of prior theriogenology coursework
and/or theriogenology-centered work experience before they apply to
vet-therio@vet.upenn.edu.
|
| Working Dog Center | |
| Shelter Medicine | |