4th year electives

[UVABranch]

Hi All,

just wondering how often do you or other students at your school engage in electives at other schools, in other states? Meaning, for those who want to change states for residency, do you go to other schools for a month or so? Also for those who haven't gone somewhere else, do you find a lot of visiting students during 4th year?

thanks!

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[diosa428]

I think that at my school fourth year students typically do 1-2 "audition" rotations in whatever field they're interested in, at programs that they're interested in. The rotations serve to give you an inside perspective on how the programs run, and also give the program a chance to evaluate you. However, they are not recommended if you cannot make a good impression that month - so if you're not planning on working hard, or tend to be quiet and not necessarily give a great first impression, it may not be the best idea. This is especially true if you numbers are stellar and you'll probably get an interview anyway. However, if you go to a program and do a great job, it may result in an interview or match that you wouldn't have gotten otherwise, esp if your numbers are not amazing.

I've heard recommendations that you do one audition rotation at a top tier place and try to get a letter, and one at a mid tier place that you're really interested in and have a good chance of matching at, but I'm not sure if those recommendations are standard...

 

[ineedsleep]

Hi All,

just wondering how often do you or other students at your school engage in electives at other schools, in other states? Meaning, for those who want to change states for residency, do you go to other schools for a month or so? Also for those who haven't gone somewhere else, do you find a lot of visiting students during 4th year?

thanks!

At my school a lot of us fourth years did away electives in different states. Our curriculum is pretty open, so some people did 3-4 aways or more. Some people wanted to stay in state and others didn't do aways because they were too expensive. Depending on where your away is, you might have to rent a place for a month and/or a car.

For the most part I hear that aways help if you can make a good impression in the short time you are there and if you are more of a marginal canidate. If you are 265, AOA, and honored all your third year clerkships you probably don't need to do the away. Plus I know I guy who didn't do an away rotation at the hospital that was his number one choice because he was sarcastic and was afraid that thay would rub some people the wrong way. He didn't rotate there, did well on his other rotations, and was able to match there. Also, not all programs grant you interviews just because you did an away there and worked your a** off-not that this is bad or good, but something to keep in mind.

The other good thing about aways is you get to experience the program. I did two aways. One I knew a little about, but ended up loving. The other is a good program, but during my four weeks there I figured out it wasn't what I was looking for.

Also got to meet people from other programs who rotated at my school. It was fun to show them around and hear about their schools.

 

[UVABranch]

thanks for the info! That was helpfull :-D