Ok so I'm a lowly 3rd year but I do know that the order within which I put my rotations for my 4th year would help me look more "attractive" towards the residency programs I'd intend to apply for.

So for those 4th years going through the process now, interns and residents who have long passed this hurdle... how did you do it??

If you're interested in IM... did you try to schedule these rotations and the elective months in IM ie sub-specialities in the first half of your 4th year? and as such were you able to get all of the recommendation letters you needed in on time? and did this help you look more prepared for IM interviews?

pls help... advice welcomed... thanks in advance

Don't think it matters at all. I would only consider where/ when to do aways. Audition rotations can make (or break) you with a program. It is generally a good idea to do them early so you can secure a LOR from a faculty member while you are there, which may mean a lot at certain programs. If apps are due by Nov1, you want to give a month or more to write a LOR, so the month of july or august are the best months to do aways. Incidentially, these may be difficult months to schedule aways because everyone else is doing the same thing, so schedule early (6 mo. ahead). Thus, about january of feb you should be applying at big names for exchange clerkships.

I agree that the exact order of the fourth year schedule probably doesn't matter much to residency programs. You should just make sure that anything you want recognized in your application is done in July or August (or maybe September but that's cutting it a bit close). For example, if you don't have Honors in your 3rd year IM clerkship, do your Sub-I early to try and impress with an Honors and a solid eval. Or, if you are short on letters, do a rotation that offers ample face time with attendings who write good letters.

The same goes if you want a LOR from an attending at an away rotation, but don't despair if you can't get the rotation in July or August. I couldn't arrange mine until September and it worked out just fine. The only reason you really need to go earlier is if you need the away LOR to complete your ERAS application, in which case going later could delay your ability to get interview offers. If your goal is just to show interest in the program and to get a supplemental LOR from their own faculty, then anytime before interview season would be adequate.

thanks for the input... as I am interested in doing IM rotations out of state, so scheduling them earlier on to get LORs would be better.

tcat