Just my take, if they will give you a month during third year then take it. Here is why: I waited too long to do my gas rotation fourth year (september) and now I am still waiting on LOR's and I really didn't even get to know any attendings that well. I seemed to be with a different attending everyday. If you do a month third year a)you find out quickly whether it is the specialty for you (could backfire if you hate it after a week and then wish you would have done something different, but if you like it then schedule an away month your fourth year better that way then having like two or three gas rotations lined up fourth year and find out after a few days that it really wasn't the specialty for you) b)you will get to meet several different attendings and decide for yourself which one or two would be best to work with later down the line or ask for letters (ie maybe spend a night or two with one of these attendings later if you have a day off or two - it will show some interest and help your letter . . . . nothing excessive just ask the secretary if you can spend a night or day with whichever attending you liked the most) c) After talking with the residents, they will give you a better idea where to do an away if you decide to, and how the whole application process works/who to ask for letters etc. I could go on and on. The residents are your best source of info. So to sum it up, I would take it. Esp if you aren't sure whether anesthesia is for you or not. Don't think you will know less than a fourth year or something anyways. Gas is so different from all the other specialties it won't really matter whether you have had all your core rotations or not. Any other ?s PM me
