3 Aways too many?

[Serous Demilune]

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Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm a third year at a state school in NY. Mediocre step 1 (215-220), mix of P and HP so far in 3rd year, no published research. Besides for focusing on doing well on Step 2, I was thinking of doing 3 aways for a total of 4 EM rotations to better my chances at matching. These would be one right after another (May, June, July, August). Is this too much to take on? I think that I come off better in person than on paper, but I'm worried doing so many audition rotations in a row will wear me down and screw me over.
Has anyone done this before? Did it work out for you? Thanks in advance

 

[Erek94]

You'll be fine. I did that this year and while it can get tough especially financially, it helped me get some interviews that I don't think I would have otherwise received. Make sure you rotate at places you want to go/ have a realistic shot at going to.

 

[Calikiwi]

I did five and it was easily two too many! Three is a good number but I recommend not doing one in either November or December so it's easier to interview.

 

[Petypet]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm a third year at a state school in NY. Mediocre step 1 (215-220), mix of P and HP so far in 3rd year, no published research. Besides for focusing on doing well on Step 2, I was thinking of doing 3 aways for a total of 4 EM rotations to better my chances at matching. These would be one right after another (May, June, July, August). Is this too much to take on? I think that I come off better in person than on paper, but I'm worried doing so many audition rotations in a row will wear me down and screw me over.
Has anyone done this before? Did it work out for you? Thanks in advance

I did 4 total Em rotations and 1 SICU rotation which was all trauma/EM. My last away was at the place I wanted to go and honestly I was burned out. The aways don't dictate where you get interviews (although you will get a courtesy interview), instead its about boards, sloe, and reputation of your school. Doing 4-5 EM rotations is easily doable but by the end you are tired of putting on your good face for everyone. You need 2 good letters, so do enough rotations to do so. If you feel good after your 3rd year EM rotation, then I would suggest to just do 2 EM rotations early and apply broadly.

 

[cbrons]

I am planning on doing 3. Well 2 of them are E.M. and one is EMS.

But one of those EM aways is at a hospital near where I live so wont be expensive kappa

 

[Porfirio]

I did 3 aways. They were the best 3 months of 4th year (minus all the vacation time). I would highly suggest doing 3 aways in your situation.

 

[EMDO2016]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm a third year at a state school in NY. Mediocre step 1 (215-220), mix of P and HP so far in 3rd year, no published research. Besides for focusing on doing well on Step 2, I was thinking of doing 3 aways for a total of 4 EM rotations to better my chances at matching. These would be one right after another (May, June, July, August). Is this too much to take on? I think that I come off better in person than on paper, but I'm worried doing so many audition rotations in a row will wear me down and screw me over.
Has anyone done this before? Did it work out for you? Thanks in advance

I don't think this equation is accurate. It depends on your performance.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

My school allows 12 weeks in any 1 discipline. Luckily I did a home rotation for my 3rd year elective so I have 1 SLOE down. My plan/hope is to another local EM rotation in July, and then two aways hopefully in August and September. Then I can step 2 and finally enjoy 4th year haha

 

[racerwad]

I did 4 total Em rotations and 1 SICU rotation which was all trauma/EM. My last away was at the place I wanted to go and honestly I was burned out. The aways don't dictate where you get interviews (although you will get a courtesy interview), instead its about boards, sloe, and reputation of your school. Doing 4-5 EM rotations is easily doable but by the end you are tired of putting on your good face for everyone. You need 2 good letters, so do enough rotations to do so. If you feel good after your 3rd year EM rotation, then I would suggest to just do 2 EM rotations early and apply broadly.

You're right that aways don't create interviews at other places but aways create SLOEs which do get you interviews, so they can be valuable beyond the month. Also, don't underestimate the impact that a good performance on your away will have come rank time. At least among the residents at my program, being liked does wonders for your app. Anecdotally, so does staying with a resident during interview season. Whenever an applicant stayed with a resident, the resident invariably advocated for that applicant because of the positive interactions they had with said applicant.

 

[filhodeinferno]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm a third year at a state school in NY. Mediocre step 1 (215-220), mix of P and HP so far in 3rd year, no published research. Besides for focusing on doing well on Step 2, I was thinking of doing 3 aways for a total of 4 EM rotations to better my chances at matching. These would be one right after another (May, June, July, August). Is this too much to take on? I think that I come off better in person than on paper, but I'm worried doing so many audition rotations in a row will wear me down and screw me over.
Has anyone done this before? Did it work out for you? Thanks in advance

Seems like overkill, but if that's what you want to do, follow your dreams.

 

[gman33]

I did 3 em and 1 em u/s.

Doing 3 aways might help at the 3rd place come interview time. It probably won't help too much with your overall application.

 

[gutonc]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I'm a third year at a state school in NY. Mediocre step 1 (215-220), mix of P and HP so far in 3rd year, no published research. Besides for focusing on doing well on Step 2, I was thinking of doing 3 aways for a total of 4 EM rotations to better my chances at matching. These would be one right after another (May, June, July, August). Is this too much to take on? I think that I come off better in person than on paper, but I'm worried doing so many audition rotations in a row will wear me down and screw me over.
Has anyone done this before? Did it work out for you? Thanks in advance

Is that state school Downstate? If so, 3 aways is probably overkill.

 

[wonderbread12]

it'll be expensive and you'll be tired but it could help you. I did one away and found doing better on step 2 helped me get the interviews I needed rather than the SLOE

Having gone through this if I had to do it over again I'd use the away month to go to a spot you think you are a bit of a reach for in terms of getting an interview and really kicking ass