"Audition Rotations" for DO programs?

[bravotwozero]

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I know a lot of people believe that for DO students interested in Allopathic programs, doing an audition rotation at that particular hospital is very important. But what if you are looking to apply to a DO program? Is it just as critical?

 

[DrMom]

I'd say it is more critical on the DO side. Many DO programs seem more focused on taking people who have actually rotated with them. Obviously, you can't rotate everywhere you apply.

 

[bravotwozero]

I see. Are there many programs that do accept applicants who didn't rotate at their hospital?

 

[DrMom]

Obviously there have to be b/c not everyone can rotate everywhere, but in general I'd say that rotating at a program is considered more important in the DO world than in the MD world.

 

[tkim]

St. Vincent's Toledo ACGME EM program ranks applicants on a point system, and one component is whether you rotated there and how well you did. Worth quite a few points, I hear.

 

[ShyRem]

I believe SunCoast hospital in Largo, FL flat out told me "we don't interview people who don't rotate through our hospital".

 

[GregsAnatomy]

Obviously this varies by hospital, but talking with my classmates here's how I'd rate it by specialty for DO programs.

"Required": Ophtho, Anesthesia, Radiology, Derm, Urology, ENT
Highly recommended: General Surgery, Ortho*, NeuroSx, EM
Helpful: Neurology, FM, IM, Peds, Psych, Ob/Gyn
Not Needed: Traditional Rotating

*(Ortho could probably go under "required" but due to the large number of DO spots in the specialty I gave it a "highly recommended")

In general though, I think you find that the majority of people who matched to their 1st choice rotated at that program.

 

[Krazykritter]

I know that Des Peres program in St. Louis says flat out on their website that interested student MUST rotate to get an interview.

 

[Kubed]

I know that Des Peres program in St. Louis says flat out on their website that interested student MUST rotate to get an interview.

It's that kind of stuff that's driving me up the wall right now. Our clinical dean keeps telling us that audition rotations are unnecessary, so it's really hard to get clinical ed to send out your information to schedule audition rotations. I've got a buddy who lost his rotation spot because the school didn't send his paperwork in on time. That coupled with only getting 2 free electives.... ugh... i'm going to give myself an ulcer...

 

[Taus]

I did my core surgery months at Pinnacle in Harrisburg, PA and on Ortho was told flat-out that they DO NOT interview anyone who has not rotated....

 

[Richie Truxillo]

I'd say it is more critical on the DO side. Many DO programs seem more focused on taking people who have actually rotated with them.

Absolutely spot on advice. If you have your heart set on one program in DO world, you need to first and foremost make yourself known. That isn't to say that good grades and boards aren't a necessity but never discount the power of networking.