Applying for away rotations?

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Ypo.

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Did a search on this but didn't find a specific answer. Was wondering about the etiquette for applying for away rotations. I've applied to two (for two different time slots) and am waiting to hear back.

Did other people apply for more than one elective for the same slot and then pick which one you want to do? Or do you just wait to hear back and see if you are accepted before applying to a different elective?
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I'm actually in your same situation. I'm planning on doing 2 away electives back to back. With Program 1 I selected month one as my primary choice and with Program 2 I selected the following next month for my primary choice and vice-versa. I'm hoping that everything will work out. I started to apply to several programs, but I've heard that it is bad form to withdraw from a away elective after being accepted. It may have some ramifications if you choose to apply to that program for residency. However, most programs give you the option of withdrawing if done so within certain time frame, so I really don't know. Anybody with more insight?
 
Ypo. said:
Did a search on this but didn't find a specific answer. Was wondering about the etiquette for applying for away rotations. I've applied to two (for two different time slots) and am waiting to hear back.

Did other people apply for more than one elective for the same slot and then pick which one you want to do? Or do you just wait to hear back and see if you are accepted before applying to a different elective?
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I double and triple booked rotations throughout my fourth year. This is the only way to do it to ensure you have a rotation that you want.

I simply will call or email the rotation I choose not to go to, and tell them I won't make it.

Just make sure the rotation you cancel isn't a top residency choice, and if it is make sure to reschedule for another time....
 
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CorpusERdoc said:
I double and triple booked rotations throughout my fourth year. This is the only way to do it to ensure you have a rotation that you want.

I simply will call or email the rotation I choose not to go to, and tell them I won't make it.

Just make sure the rotation you cancel isn't a top residency choice, and if it is make sure to reschedule for another time....
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Agree with all of the above points.

Away rotations can be competitive. I'd definitely double- and triple-apply.

But yes, have the courtesy to tell the programs if you won't be making it, and know that they may not like that very much.
 
I have one away rotation already confirmed for September. My other should be in October but most of the programs are not yet accepting applications yet for that month.

I do not want to double book rotations because I think it is inconsiderate to the program and other students who may want to do rotations there.
 
I don't think the previous posters meant double-book as in, accept both offerings.

I think they meant double-apply - apply for away rotations at multiple locations for the same month, then choose one over the other.

At least, that's what I meant.
 
vtucci said:
I have one away rotation already confirmed for September. My other should be in October but most of the programs are not yet accepting applications yet for that month.

I do not want to double book rotations because I think it is inconsiderate to the program and other students who may want to do rotations there.
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You need to decide what is best for you and your career. Missing out an an audition rotation at a residency that you may eventually attend isn't worth "being considerate of others." You can always promptly withdraw from a rotation as soon as you are double-booked and open it for someone else.

If you only single book, you run the risk of rotations being full, and being stuck on a rotation that won't benefit you in anyway.

If being "polite and considerate" is more important to you than getting the best possible rotations for you, then more power to you.

However, you have no obligations to be helpful to others during this time. Applying for residency is a cutthroat world, and if you allow others to step on you, you may just end up without a job...
 
Well, in my case I emailed the programs before hand and asked them if the months in question were still available. They said yes and to send the application in. I emailed several other programs who were already booked for those months and so I didn't bother applying to those programs.

So unless they decide to place in another student over me, I should get them I would think. ??
 
Ypo. said:
Well, in my case I emailed the programs before hand and asked them if the months in question were still available. They said yes and to send the application in. I emailed several other programs who were already booked for those months and so I didn't bother applying to those programs.

So unless they decide to place in another student over me, I should get them I would think. ??
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Only if you are the only person sending in an application at that particular time. It is also dependent upon if an application arrives just before yours, as they are reviewed in the order they were received.

There were several rotations I was interested in that filled up, even though they were open at the time I applied.
 
CorpusERdoc said:
you have no obligations to be helpful to others during this time. Applying for residency is a cutthroat world, and if you allow others to step on you, you may just end up without a job...
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This is so true. The reason I got my residency spot was because of my audition rotation. At this point in your career, you have to look out for yourself. There are countless other students that wouldn't give you the same consideration.
 
Ypo. said:
So unless they decide to place in another student over me, I should get them I would think. ??
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When do they stop accepting apps?

Many away rotations (at the bigger names) are very popular, and there's never any guarantee you'll get a spot. If there are still spots available and the deadline has passed, then yes, there's no reason you shouldn't get an email offer soon.

I think I had to apply in January/February of my MS-III year for my away rotations! 😱
 
I already have one of my away rotations confirmed and have a spot for that month. I hope to get confirmation on the second. I believe in planning and accomplishing tasks early and then there is no need to double-book for the month.

Just because other students are inconsiderate does not mean that I want to operate in the same manner. Where does it say that we need to be cutthroat competitors to get a residency slot? My qualifications and clinical abilities as evidenced in my application home and away rotations and ultimately, interviews, will speak for themself. I do not need to step over a future colleague in order to make myself look better.

We will all be future colleagues (granted some fields are more collegial than others) and if it does not require an obscene amount of work to take others into consideration, how does it hurt?

Moreover, double-booking is likely a hassle for the clerkship coordinators and staff. Consideration is due them.
 
vtucci said:
I already have one of my away rotations confirmed and have a spot for that month. I hope to get confirmation on the second. I believe in planning and accomplishing tasks early and then there is no need to double-book for the month.

Just because other students are inconsiderate does not mean that I want to operate in the same manner. Where does it say that we need to be cutthroat competitors to get a residency slot? My qualifications and clinical abilities as evidenced in my application home and away rotations and ultimately, interviews, will speak for themself. I do not need to step over a future colleague in order to make myself look better.

We will all be future colleagues (granted some fields are more collegial than others) and if it does not require an obscene amount of work to take others into consideration, how does it hurt?

Moreover, double-booking is likely a hassle for the clerkship coordinators and staff. Consideration is due them.
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Not if you don't get the rotation.

A bit overconfident, aren't we?
 
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Wow. OK didn't know that.

I'm not sure when they stop accepting applications actually. It doesn't say on their website. When she emailed back she just said the months I was interested in were both "pretty open."

The application was just sent in Monday. The university they are affiliated with states that after they receive your application, they "hold" your desired slot for you. However I have not heard this specifically from the program. I'm sure they give preference to students from their own university.

Well I don't want to cancel on them if it's looked down upon because all of these programs I am going to apply for residency. Hrrmm.
 
I think doing the whole thing step by step is a good idea, especially at this time of year. It's early, a lot of people don't even know what they are going into, and those who are the most on top of things seem to have just completed their paperwork.

To be perfectly honest, most of the programs I'm interested in have yet to even post their academic calendars. Many specifically state that they do not accept applications until a certain date. At this point, there really is no need to freak out and carpet-bomb with away elective applications. You will only succeed in angering the people at your school who have to do the paperwork as well as irritating the people at other schools who have to as well.
 
Blade28 said:
When do they stop accepting apps?

Many away rotations (at the bigger names) are very popular, and there's never any guarantee you'll get a spot. If there are still spots available and the deadline has passed, then yes, there's no reason you shouldn't get an email offer soon.

I think I had to apply in January/February of my MS-III year for my away rotations! 😱
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Surgery seems to be a beast of its own. Honestly, some top programs are not accepting applications yet or have just started doing so. Many websites said that if they received something prior to a particular date, they would return it to the sender.

The "big names" that are participating in VSAS will not even be receiving applications until April 15.
 
Hmmm...this VSAS thing must be new. Never heard of it!

I just checked it out...apparently this is the first year!
 
Blade28 said:
Hmmm...this VSAS thing must be new. Never heard of it!

I just checked it out...apparently this is the first year!
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It is - hopefully it'll make this process less painful in the future.

*crosses fingers that she gets the away rotations she wants*
 
CorpusERdoc said:
Not if you don't get the rotation.

A bit overconfident, aren't we?
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Hardly-- it is called advance planning. As I noted before, I have my slot at one of the away rotations already confirmed by the staff and can roll with the punches if the second site does not immediately work out. I am flexible and would be happy to do a rotation at any number of sites. I am sure that the experience will be very educational.

As far as my skills are concerned, I work as hard as I possibly can to always improve my abilities, assist the team and always be an advocate for my patients. This is the strategy I have used during third year and it has worked out well so far. I do not believe that going in with a can-do attitude and trying to do my best is overconfidence. I will do the best I can and do not feel the need to elevate myself or my position at the expense of my peers. I have too much respect for all of you.

Who I am will be partially represented by my application, LORs and performance during away rotations. Just like all soon to be MS4s will be embodied in their overall application and performance. Likewise, my personality and love for EM will hopefully come out during my interviews and be perceived in a positive light. I am looking for the right fit for a program just as they are looking for the right residents for their program.

CorpusERdoc- I am sure that you are talented and will do great things in EM. I believe our future specialty lends itself to teamwork more than alot of others and that is how I aspire to live my personal and professional life. Perhaps we will even be part of the same team one day.

I wish everyone success.
 
vtucci said:
I'll be thinking good thoughts for you socute.
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Hahha...not two hours after you wrote that, I got preliminary confirmation of my first away rotation. Housing is taken care of as well, so all I need to do is wait for all my titers and stuff for it to be official!

You need to wish me good luck more often!!!
 
Consider it done socute. Think some good thoughts for me too-- I have my surgery shelf tomorrow.
 
SoCuteMD said:
Hahha...not two hours after you wrote that, I got preliminary confirmation of my first away rotation. Housing is taken care of as well, so all I need to do is wait for all my titers and stuff for it to be official!

You need to wish me good luck more often!!!
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Good for you. 👍

Question; how long was it from application time to confirmation?


I've applied to three programs now. The second choices for dates may be overlapping, but the first choices are all separate.

Just thinking about all the traveling is already making me exhausted. 🙄
 
CorpusERdoc said:
I double and triple booked rotations throughout my fourth year. This is the only way to do it to ensure you have a rotation that you want.

I simply will call or email the rotation I choose not to go to, and tell them I won't make it.

Just make sure the rotation you cancel isn't a top residency choice, and if it is make sure to reschedule for another time....
Click to expand...

I tried a few days ago to book an EM audition rotation at one of my top residency choices 5 months from now.... and found out that they were booked until end of Dec 2008. 😱 Nonetheless, I gave up my vacation month (Aug) to rotate there before interview season for absolutely no credit toward my clinical grades. Sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do. After this I am not going to hesitate double and triple booking electives just in case they fall through. I'm freaked out.

Also.. .just thought I would throw this out there for anyone....Another program I am highly interested in lists on it's website that they don't start accepting visiting student applications until last week of April; HOWEVER, I called them and they told me that I can send my app before then and they will hold it on file in the order it was received (obviously this was not broadcasted on the program's website). I sent my app out ASAP instead of waiting until next month. Hope it gives me a smidge of an advantage anways :luck:
 
The heck?

I got accepted for an away rotation today, but it's not for any time period that I put down! They are having me start in the middle of one month (which my school doesn't allow).

Anyways, I called and left a message letting them know the problem. Hopefully they will be able to change it, as it's a program I'm really interested in.
 
GoBuckeyes913 said:
I tried a few days ago to book an EM audition rotation at one of my top residency choices 5 months from now.... and found out that they were booked until end of Dec 2008. 😱 Nonetheless, I gave up my vacation month (Aug) to rotate there before interview season for absolutely no credit toward my clinical grades. Sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do. After this I am not going to hesitate double and triple booking electives just in case they fall through. I'm freaked out.

Also.. .just thought I would throw this out there for anyone....Another program I am highly interested in lists on it's website that they don't start accepting visiting student applications until last week of April; HOWEVER, I called them and they told me that I can send my app before then and they will hold it on file in the order it was received (obviously this was not broadcasted on the program's website). I sent my app out ASAP instead of waiting until next month. Hope it gives me a smidge of an advantage anways :luck:
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Which EM program was booked until Dec 2008 already?😱
 
my school hasn't even given us the VSAS access code 😡

no matter how many times i go to the dean's office to ask, i still get no answer at all. of the 3schools that i am applying to, 2 require that i use VSAS. i'm not even sure what to do at this point. any suggestions?
 
Do you have a VSAS login? Mine was the same as my AAMC login (yeah, all the way back to my application days). My school had to give me "tokens" to apply to each date/site/rotation combination, so this is probably your barrier. I'd e-mail the dean directly - that's who actually allotted our tokens.

Best of :luck:

If it's any consolation, I had everything done by noon on Tuesday, and it took about 5 phone calls to get my dean's office to do their part.
 
SoCuteMD said:
Do you have a VSAS login? Mine was the same as my AAMC login (yeah, all the way back to my application days). My school had to give me "tokens" to apply to each date/site/rotation combination, so this is probably your barrier. I'd e-mail the dean directly - that's who actually allotted our tokens.

Best of :luck:

If it's any consolation, I had everything done by noon on Tuesday, and it took about 5 phone calls to get my dean's office to do their part.
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hey dear,

i can't even register to login without that access code. this past week, i've spoken to my dean in person, sent her a follow-up email, and have gone to her office several times. it's all quite frustrating. 🙁
 
Docjolly,

We are dealing with the same issue. Hopefully they will correct it soon. Supposedly Mr. E doesnt know much about it either.

See ya around.😀
 
futrorthodr said:
Docjolly,

We are dealing with the same issue. Hopefully they will correct it soon. Supposedly Mr. E doesnt know much about it either.

See ya around.😀
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hi futrorthodr 😍 😍

i almost couldn't believe that i had seen you post here! you've been MIA for a while. well, if you hear anything, please shoot me an email or give me a call. i would rant and rave more about this, but it's pointless right now. i just want that darned code.

(for y'all who don't know, futrorthodr and i are classmates 😛)
 
Medikit said:
Still waiting on VSAS, had I known it would take this long I probably wouldn't have rushed it in.
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I applied through VSAS to OHSU Anesthesiology at Portland, Oregon in September.

Finished Application: April 20ish
Acceptance via Email: June 9th

Also depends on the school...OHSU begin notifying visiting students after June 2nd.
 
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