4th yr rotations: 3 weeks vs 4 weeks

[silverstrand]

Hi, can anyone please tell me if it is preferable to do a 3 week over a 4 week rotation for sites you are interested in applying at or vice versa? I am debating between cutting radiology down to 3 weeks instead of 4 (which I am not planning to go into) OR doing an audition rotation for 3 weeks instead of 4. In the grand scheme of things, does 1 less week at a site that's not at the top of your list really make a difference? I'm kind of looking forward to the nice hours of a radiology rotation and being able to study for boards. thanks!

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[Biscuit799]

Hi, can anyone please tell me if it is preferable to do a 3 week over a 4 week rotation for sites you are interested in applying at or vice versa? I am debating between cutting radiology down to 3 weeks instead of 4 (which I am not planning to go into) OR doing an audition rotation for 3 weeks instead of 4. In the grand scheme of things, does 1 less week at a site that's not at the top of your list really make a difference? I'm kind of looking forward to the nice hours of a radiology rotation and being able to study for boards. thanks!

With the classic argument for the shorter rotation being you can avoid becoming part of the "wallpaper," the rotation against it is obviously you don't have enough time to feel at home (as the 1st week for any rotation is pretty much an orientation), and you don't have enough time to "shine."

That being said, I would imagine that if one were a strong student, a shorter rotation would be better because you're already competitive, 3 (or 2, or whatever) weeks is plenty of time to "get to know" the program itself, and (like picking up women) the less time you spend introducing yourself, the less likely you are to screw up.

Contrarily, if one were a weaker applicant, then that individual probably would want to spend a longer time there in an effort to get comfortable with, interact with, and truly impress the program. It's tough, but you gotta figure at this point it's either impress them now or don't match.

Just my $0.02