4th Year Away Rotations ????

[ZR1]

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I have a few questions regarding fourth year away rotations. Unfortunately some great programs I was hoping to get to rotate through either were filled or were completely off schedule from my school's schedule making them very hard to do. Also, my school's limiting my ophtho exp. to only 2 months makes choosing where to go an even greater challenge. Questions I have are these:

1.Currently I have two months back to back set up at UK (general ophtho and advanced ophtho). I have heard good things about their program and will know a first year ophtho resident their next year. My question is, would it be more wise to do two months at one place and let them get to know me well or split it up and do one month, say for example at UPITT and then follow up with the next month at UK.? I am having serious trouble figuring out which would be more wise, getting to know two places or getting to know one place extremely well. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

2.Rumor has it that on our applications we declare what ophtho experience we have had. Would programs take my completing two months at one institution as if I somewhat have committed or am more interested in that program over theirs, hence possibly not wanting to give me an interview or rank me high?

3.For the big schools like Hopkins, Bascom Palmer, Iowa - do they look heavily for students engrossed in ophtho research in publications or not so much?

4.Would it be advantageous in any way , other than for the mere experience of it, to do a 2 week rotation at lets say Bascom Palmer?

If anyone would help with these questions, id greatly appreciate it. I love how the confusion is setting in 🙂. 👍

THANKS GUYS!

ZR WVUSOM

 

[mdkurt]

My strategy was to do a month on my home turf, learn as much as I could, and then try to impress on an away rotation where I wanted a residency. I think diversifying your experience can only help, because it helps you meet people and form relationships for later in your career. By the way, my plan didn't work but I think the logic is sound.

 

[ZR1]

Oh yeah to start I am doing one month at my home university...so im talkin either having an exp. at 2 schools or 3 , depending on if i want to give one school two months. Anyhow, anyone else have any opinions on my above questions?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

1.Currently I have two months back to back set up at UK (general ophtho and advanced ophtho). I have heard good things about their program and will know a first year ophtho resident their next year. My question is, would it be more wise to do two months at one place and let them get to know me well or split it up and do one month, say for example at UPITT and then follow up with the next month at UK.? I am having serious trouble figuring out which would be more wise, getting to know two places or getting to know one place extremely well. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

I recommend getting to know one place well, particularly the program you're interested in matching. However, doing an away rotation can be a double-edged sword: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=106782

2.Rumor has it that on our applications we declare what ophtho experience we have had. Would programs take my completing two months at one institution as if I somewhat have committed or am more interested in that program over theirs, hence possibly not wanting to give me an interview or rank me high?

I think this requires too much thought for selection committees. There's already enough criteria to think about.

3.For the big schools like Hopkins, Bascom Palmer, Iowa - do they look heavily for students engrossed in ophtho research in publications or not so much?

While ophthalmological research is helpful, it is not required. The most competitive programs do require prior research. For instance, this is what the Wilmer Institute says about their successful residents:

1. Outstanding college and medical school academic records.
2. Board scores above the 90th percentile.
3. Evidence of academic potential as indicated by authorship (especially first-authored) of at least one scientific article (ideally, concerning an ophthalmologic subject) in a peer-reviewed journal.
4. Evidence of commitment to ophthalmology as indicated by involvement (research, electives, etc.) in the ophthalmology department at their medical school.
5. For foreign medical graduates, at least the 90th percentile on the ECFMG examinations

4.Would it be advantageous in any way , other than for the mere experience of it, to do a 2 week rotation at lets say Bascom Palmer?

Experience is always good, but I doubt a 2 week rotation at any program will give you significant advantage.

 

[ZR1]

Thank you dr doan that really helps. 🙂 and thanks mdkurt for the input, i appreciate it

 

[Columbia22]

Theres 8 optho positions offered per year???? What the heck?? Thats what the data table says on that web site

 

[exmike]

Theres 8 optho positions offered per year???? What the heck?? Thats what the data table says on that web site

ophtho goes through sfmatch. those 8 slots must be non sfmatch slots. wonder what programs they are. anyone know?

 

[Jaded Soul]

ophtho goes through sfmatch. those 8 slots must be non sfmatch slots. wonder what programs they are. anyone know?

Someone told me those spots represent the programs that give you a PGY-1 year. You apply through SF Match for the ophthalmology residency, but you still have to go through ERAS for the PGY-1 year as a formality. Can anyone confirm?