First time posting, long time SDN fan. Would appreciate advice from anyone who might have better insight into this than I do. I'm a MS3, done well in med school so far - mid-tier school, AOA, USMLE score >240, published research and solid LORs. I've recently made up my mind to do IM and (hopefully) cardiology. I don't have any away rotations for IM setup, as I just recently changed my mind from radiology. Would like to match a top-tier IM program as it'd help land a cards spot. Right now, my 4th year schedule is looking like Radiology (July), Sub-I MICU (Aug), Sub-I IM (Sept). Oct - Jan I'll do Step 2 and interviews.

Are away rotations needed to match in IM at top places? I'm mid-west and not trying to break into Cali. I figure I'd just do a couple IM Sub-I's at home instead. Any thoughts?

Are away rotations needed to match in IM at top places? I'm mid-west and not trying to break into Cali. I figure I'd just do a couple IM Sub-I's at home instead. Any thoughts?

No, away rotations are not necessary. I (and many other people) have matched at "top" programs without rotating at those site. Away rotations may help at some places; however, at others, they do not even matter. UCSF is famous for not offering interviews to less competitive candidates who do aways there. Also, you can hurt yourself if you perform suboptimally, which is quite possible in an unfamiliar environment.

For a competitive candidate such as yourself, aways are probably more about giving you greater insight into a program you are interested in rather than scoring points with the program.