Office of Rural Programs

Absentee/Clerkship Policies

Complete policy information regarding clerkship attendance and absences can be found here.

Anticipated Absences

  • Students are allowed up to 1 day of anticipated excused time away from the learning environment in 4 to 12-week clerkships.
  • The request should be directed to the WRITE program director(s). There may be instances where a student must leave their WRITE site to take Step 1 of NBME. If this occurs, the student will be okayed to leave but make up time may be necessary in consultation with the WRITE directors. If students are ill, they should stay home until the nature of the illness is clarified.
  • WRITE Program Directors

Unanticipated Absences

  • For ANY time away from the clerkship, you are required to tell the LIC/WRITE program director(s) who will determine, in consultation with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the affected clerkship directors, if make-up time is needed.

Religious Holidays/National holidays

  • The UWSOM follows the UW policy on religious accommodations. Please see the website for more information.
  • Students are asked to follow the holiday practice of the clinic/hospital/site at which they are rotating. Clinical responsibilities such as night call and rounding take precedence over holiday schedules.