Away Rotation Advice

[redjack2k]

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Hi All:

My school allows third year electives (and aways to boot!). I'll be starting a 4-week Derm away elective in a few weeks and just wanted advice on when to ask for a letter. First week? Last week? Somewhere inbetween?

Also, it'd be great to get the Chair's letter, and my home program's PD even suggested it. That's going to be tough, so how have you gone about it in the past? For either Derm or otherwise?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Dral]

I'd wait until a bit into the first week. That way you'll have a feel for your schedule and you'll have a feel for who you may be working with most.

If you ask an attending then, they can then pay more attention to the qualities in you that they would address in a letter instead of springing it on them during the last week.

If they don't want to write one for you, they'll let you know kindly, and no harm done.

I can't give you advice on the chair's letter. I didn't even see or meet the chair when I did my away rotation.

 

[pupster]

Hi All:

My school allows third year electives (and aways to boot!). I'll be starting a 4-week Derm away elective in a few weeks and just wanted advice on when to ask for a letter. First week? Last week? Somewhere inbetween?

Also, it'd be great to get the Chair's letter, and my home program's PD even suggested it. That's going to be tough, so how have you gone about it in the past? For either Derm or otherwise?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

I don't see what the rush is. Just wait until the last week. Get some feedback from the course manager as to how you're doing. If you feel like you're going to honor, then get a letter. It might also be good to also set up a tentative appt. w/ the chair at some point to "ask for advice" on applying to dermatology. That way, you're already on the radar. Then, if you do well in the rotation, you can then touch base w/ the chair and ask if s/he'd be willing to write a supporting letter/co-sign your letter you get from your rotation.

I've seen too many letters that were really lackluster from people that had no idea that they had "neutral" letters. Better to get a realistic appraisal before you get the letter (which is why I asked you to get feedback beforehand).

 

[drdan766]

One strategy is to select your rotation shrewdly. Do not just get in to thefirst program you think is best. Look for a program where PD's take students to work with them during the away rotation, and then find out if it is exclusive or something everyone who rotates has access to. Believe it or not, some schools have you rotate with a PD/chair for each clinical day and everyone else on the rotation works with residents. Sometimes, it is just a matter of asking to be with that person, sometimes you need connections. What you dont want is to find out when you arrive that you will work only with residents if what u want is a kick ass letter.

Also, pick a program as if it is an audition for residency. Know some derm before u arrive (read something so that you can at least know a little) and be enthusiastic. Dont try to impress them, just try to show how much you love derm.

My 2cents . . . .

 

[doc MD]

Hi All:

My school allows third year electives (and aways to boot!). I'll be starting a 4-week Derm away elective in a few weeks and just wanted advice on when to ask for a letter. First week? Last week? Somewhere inbetween?

Also, it'd be great to get the Chair's letter, and my home program's PD even suggested it. That's going to be tough, so how have you gone about it in the past? For either Derm or otherwise?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

what kind of LOR are you expecting if rotating through? I letter on how you quietly and unobtrusively observed them working?? Get a project going instead.

besides, if this is a LOR for ERAS, you can't ask for one to have submitted till july of your 4th year.

 

[username456789]

besides, if this is a LOR for ERAS, you can't ask for one to have submitted till july of your 4th year.

You can ask for a letter at any time during your medical school career. I don't know about how your school worked, but our school's Office of Student Affairs will hold onto letters submitted by attendings prior to ERAS opening and then have them uploaded to ERAS when you get your token.

 

[drdan766]

You can ask for a letter any time, but if it is not from the same calendar year as your eras application, you will have to ask the writer to rewrite it/update it with a new date. At least that is what i had to do. Its no big deal but it certainly means your better off not asking for letters from someone you will see once in 3rd year at an away unless you continue having a relationship with them through 4th year (highly recommended that you try for long-lasting relationship).

 

[redjack2k]

what kind of LOR are you expecting if rotating through? I letter on how you quietly and unobtrusively observed them working?? Get a project going instead.

besides, if this is a LOR for ERAS, you can't ask for one to have submitted till july of your 4th year.

Yes, having a letter about me being out of the way, haha. But seriously, great idea about getting a project going. That allows for further communication between me and the letter writer.

Any other advice? Would 4 weeks be enough time to get a project "going"? Most likely a case-report or along the lines?

 

[sawtella]

is it common to be able to land projects while on short rotations?

I think as long as you get a project started and it's the type of research where you can continue even after you're done with the rotation (i.e case report, review article), you should be fine. I didn't get to finish my project until a week before match day but I got an awesome letter from the attending. Just make sure you show them that you're hard working and enthusiastic.