Away rotation advice -- quick, please!

[clarabelle]

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I am scheduled to do an away elective at a top tier Peds program, basically my dream and a reach for me (My Steps are in the 210s, grades avg.) They offered me an elective and I took it. It is an 8-5, no weekends clinic schedule and I will be away from home and staying with family during this rotation. I recently found out I might be able to do a sub-internship since there is a last minute opening. Sub-I is a requirement for my school anyway and it is what I wanted to do initially at this place, but when they told me I couldn't I got used to having the elective and getting to know an attending more one-on-one, etc. Should I take the sub-i or stick with the elective? What would give me the best chance to make a good impression on the program? I'm worried the sub-i might me a little too intense and I may feel really intimidated being in a foreign environment competing with other medical students who are all from their home school, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[twilightdoc]

I am scheduled to do an away elective at a top tier Peds program, basically my dream and a reach for me (My Steps are in the 210s, grades avg.) They offered me an elective and I took it. It is an 8-5, no weekends clinic schedule and I will be away from home and staying with family during this rotation. I recently found out I might be able to do a sub-internship since there is a last minute opening. Sub-I is a requirement for my school anyway and it is what I wanted to do initially at this place, but when they told me I couldn't I got used to having the elective and getting to know an attending more one-on-one, etc. Should I take the sub-i or stick with the elective? What would give me the best chance to make a good impression on the program? I'm worried the sub-i might me a little too intense and I may feel really intimidated being in a foreign environment competing with other medical students who are all from their home school, etc. Thanks in advance.

Sub-I rotations as away electives are potentially high risk, for the reasons that you mentioned. But sometimes "high risk" can lead to "high rewards" if things work out in your favor. The elective you describe is clearly a safer option for you. But if the program is really "top tier" and you have average grades and 210 board scores, you may want to roll the dice and do the sub-I. It is a tough choice, for sure. If you decide to do the sub-I, you need to bring your "A game" and be at your best.

 

[michigangirl]

Agreed- tough decision. The sub-I is more risky, BUT inpatient floor rotations expose you to MANY more people who play a role in the residency decision process-- pediatric residents being the key-- you will still interact with attendings-- and potentially more of them. If you show up early/on time, are enthusiastic, fun to work with, excited to learn and work hard, odds are in your favor to match there. Don't try to outdo the residents though-- a surefire way to get them to NOT like you. Ask for their guidance, help them with whatever you can, and take ownership of your patients. I vote sub-I.