Audition Electives

[HanuMar]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey SDNers,

What are the pros and cons to doing audition electives at other institutions? Does it truly increase the odds of matching into dermatology? On the flip side, does it put you in a vulnerable position to clash with personalities and devalueing you in the eyes of a program? Would love to hear some thoughts.

HanuMar

 

[drdan766]

Yes, it is a huge advantage to do audition electives
and if you ruin your shot because of personality conflicts, it is also better that you know you would not have fit in rather than going and being miserable.
You cannot do enough audition electives, do one on each coast if you can!

 

[Dral]

You cannot do enough audition electives, do one on each coast if you can!

Definitely substance to this. Derm tends to be very regional. Doing an away rotation at an institution can 'break you in' to that region. I didn't end up where I did my away, but did end up in the same region...which is a different region than where my med school is located.

n of 1, but I think it made a difference in my case.

 

[vicinihil]

It will increase you chances in the following ways

1) Doing an away at a prestigious institution and getting a letter from someone known in the field will help.

2) The breaking into the region sentiment doesn't really matter because if you have family in that region, it will mean more.

3) Derm programs like to take people they know (home institution-ers). So doing an away gives you a more level'ed playing field.

 

[Dral]

2) The breaking into the region sentiment doesn't really matter because if you have family in that region, it will mean more .

Local people know each other since they see each other at local meetings and just know each better. We have NYC specific meetings where people tend to know each other more than they know people in other parts of the country (in general).

It makes sense that people trust the letters and words of those they know personally.

Probably more of a component when closer to metropolitan areas than others.

Unless one has family in all areas of the country, breaking into a new region (not at the expense at more desirable areas to the applicant) can only help, imho.

 

[dermathalon]

Audition rotations are super helpful but you have to proactive when you are there.

I personally know of situations where the letter writer writes a nice letter and then sinks the applicant behind closed doors in personal communication. They literally call and say "don't believe what I wrote in that letter." In fact, the thorough institutions will call your letter writer to get a candid opinion because verbal communication matters but there is no trail.

Just getting a letter from a big shot is not good enough and you need to have made a true connection. A letter from a "smaller shot" faculty that is genuine matters more. Having big shot letters may be useful but it would suck if they are called and they don't really know you.

Agree with Dral.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

Agree for the most part on the pros above. However, there are a couple of cons too:

1) If you mess up, or are just not that great, word can spread -- particularly within a city with multiple programs.

2) Some faculty (probably fewer and fewer nowadays) look at 3+ audition electives and wonder if you are getting a well-rounded medical school education.

 

[EastTo]

Watch out for places notorious to not invite many people back or give you little exposure to faculty so you can not get LOR

 

[MilkIsGood]

Watch out for places notorious to not invite many people back or give you little exposure to faculty so you can not get LOR

any examples?