away rotation after leave of absence

[acleverpsychpun]

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I'm looking for feedback about the wisdom of doing an away rotation at my first choice program.

I'll be coming off of a year long leave of absence for my MPH, and I'll have at most one psych rotation done before starting the externship. There is one program I'd strongly prefer to all others...near family. My concern is I'll be rusty, and perhaps at that moment in time I might look better on paper than in person. Better to play it safe and skip the away rotation? or should I go for it, work hard, and hope they forgive me for being a little rusty.

 

[notdeadyet]

I think it's all going to come down to three questions:
- How competitive is the program?
- How competitive will you be as an applicant?
- How hard are you willing to work?

I understand the idea that an audition rotation can hurt you as well as help you, but I think this is much less of a risk if you are willing to work really hard and try to get along with people. If you can do those two things, you will have a better chance of matching at any program rather than if they don't know you at all. It's much easier to fight for the acceptance of a candidate people know and like than someone who just made a good first impression for a few hours on interview day.