4th year scheduling

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RisingSun

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Any recommendations on 4th year scheduling? I'm thinking of two 2-wk rotations in interventional and neuro (I'll have already done a month of diagnostic rads). I'll also be doing a month of path. And at least one month of surgery. I was told that these were the best courses to take during 4th year. Any other recommendations? BTW I am not doing any aways.

Another Q I have is what time blocks do applicants generally take off in the late fall and winter in order to go on interviews etc? When do interviews generally occur? A buddy of mine who matched last year took all of Nov, Dec, and Jan off for IVs. I'm tentatively going to have all of Dec and the first half of Jan off. Do people take two or so days off at a time when they are scheduled for an interview during a rotation? I'm kinda nervous about having multiple interviews during my Nov rotation and having to take off a lot of time.
 
November for me was heavy in prelim/TY's. Dec was heavy with radiology. Jan not so bad, only 6 interviews, able to cancel some since you know where you stand. Also depends on geographic locations since NE is more Nov/Dec and west coast is more Jan.

I would schedule something easy in Nov that will not miss you if you don't show up. Could take Dec or Jan off or possibly do research depending on when you want to end 4th year.

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Find out which electives have a reputation for taking time off for interviews. Attendings know that M4's have interviews to go on, so most won't mind letting you go on a few during a rotation.

Radiology interviews Nov, Dec, and Jan for the most part
 
Thanks guys! I'll try and schedule something easy or do a research month during November.

Any thoughts on not doing any away rotations? I'll have a total of 2 months of rads by the time that I apply.
 
The consensus from my advisors was that away electives are a waste of time unless you have no home radiology program. Take that time to do research. Electives in radiology aren't necessary either. Do more clinical electives, these will make you a better radiologist in the long run. You will have plenty of time to do neuro and IR as a resident. Plus, it's really hard to impress people as a med student. Better off using that time to get some research done so you can have interesting things to talk about during your interviews. Better yet, get to know a big name researcher in the dept and have them write a letter for you. It worked for me (matched at my #1 program).

Also, leave november, december, and january as open as possible. With radiology AND prelim/TY interviews, it can be exhausting. Try to spread them out as much as possible.
 
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