away rotation: 4th year elective vs acting internship

[drcushing]

I was wondering what people would say about choosing to do an Acting internship vs a 4th year elective month for an away rotation?
what's your experience like for a neurology acting internship for those who have done one?

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[medsRus]

I too would be curious to know.

 

[Amos]

Advice for away rotations in general:

They can help you or hurt you at said institution depending on how you do. You're going to have to pick up a ton of stuff up on the fly, so consider your learning style before signing up.

I've known people that had a blast doing them. On the other hand, I and many others never did one and things worked out just fine. Neurology is not a field like neurosurg where it is almost a required part of the application process.

The real key is are there people out there that feel they wouldn't have gotten an interview and matched at their top pick(s) if not for the away rotation?

 

[KillingMeSmalls]

I'd agree with Amos. In general, away rotations aren't important in neurology. In fact, I applied to do an away at my top choice twice, was turned down both times, and then matched there.

As far as AI vs. elective, if you're at an institution that you really want to attend and you're on the floor for both, there probably won't be (or shouldn't be) any difference. If the elective is something in the clinic, then obviously that'll be different. I did an AI as an away and took q4, and I really enjoyed myself on it, but it had more to do with the people I was working with than what the service was. I'd say if you are planning on doing this at a place you feel you'd really like to go to, then do the AI. It'll give you better exposure to their staff and residents, and you'll be able to get a better feel for the program. Good luck!

 

[ncguy2005]

.

 

[typhoonegator]

I certainly know a few people, mostly foreign-trained, who got a leg-up in the application process by doing a visiting rotation. It helps you to some degree to put a face with your name, see how you fit in, and helps to separate you from the mountains of FMG applications and CVs many programs receive. You have to do it right, though. I had plenty of "visitors" rotating on my service from other countries who didn't get insured, and so couldn't touch patients. They couldn't do anything to help, couldn't show their skills, and mostly just got in the way. Don't be that guy/girl.

As far as I know, my program never had acting internships, so I'm not sure about that. Our visiting elective students take call and carry patients on the ward, so I guess I'm not even sure what the difference is.

Finally, I agree that most neuro residents never did an away elective, at least not in my experience. I certainly never did, and I didn't feel like it hindered my choices in any way. If you want to do an away elective, do it for you to get a better feel for a program or a new city. You don't really need to do it for them.

 

[T2 FLAIR]

I'd like to add that you shouldn't be afraid to do an elective over a sub-internship. It's easier to perform at a superior level in an outpatient elective where you aren't struggling to figure out how to get things done in a new system, taking q4 overnight call, and getting lost in a new hospital. Plus you are likely to have more free time to check out the new city, you'll be better rested, and generally a lot happier! And if you do a good job, you can still get a letter or recommendation from one of the faculty you work with, which is always a great thing if it's a program you're interested in. I will say that one big element in favor of the sub-internship on an inpatient ward is that it would give you a better feel for what residency would be like at that particular program, since so much of residency is inpatient.

 

[typhoonegator]

A good point above.

Also, it should be noted that the residents at some programs can exert a lot of influence when it comes to making decisions about students. Faculty letters are great, but if the residents are on your side, it can be very helpful in certain instances.

 

[pep45]

I agree with the above posts... Not critical to do one, but can sure up your chances at a place if you make a good impression. I would also add that doing an AI allowed me to gain exposure to a second neurology program away from my home institution. I feel that this allowed me to have a better understanding of what I liked or didn't like about certain programs on the interview trail. Probably not necessary, but from my experience very worth-while!!