Away rotation reviews

[WaylonS]

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Current third years are in the process of scheduling aways, and in order to help students narrow down the programs they want to rotate at, I was hoping some of you would be willing to post a review of the programs you rotated at. Currently, there are several threads about specific programs, but it looks like they aren't getting too much action. Below I have listed some details that might be helpful to include in your review, but feel free to add more. Also, in order to maintain anonymity, I understand that many of you may not feel comfortable posting reviews, so feel free to PM and I'll post them.

Program:
Number of rotating students during your rotation:
Did your rotation site feel crowded?:
Did you get an LOR?:
Strengths of the program:
Weaknesses of the program:
Other thoughts:

 

[WaylonS]

279 views and still no posts 🙁

C'mon, remember, at some point you were a third year who didn't know where you should do aways. The derm match is difficult for everyone, and it would be wonderful if some of you wouldn't mind making it a little easier for others

 

[username456789]

279 views and still no posts 🙁

C'mon, remember, at some point you were a third year who didn't know where you should do aways. The derm match is difficult for everyone, and it would be wonderful if some of you wouldn't mind making it a little easier for others

The problem is that derm is a small field and anonymity only goes so far.

If there was an anonymous way to do this (like the google docs match list in another thread) that people could add to without any identification (either with their real name or with SDN names) it might work, but even then a program might only have a small handful of rotators per year and people may not want to risk being outed.

 

[yourstruly]

279 views and still no posts 🙁

C'mon, remember, at some point you were a third year who didn't know where you should do aways. The derm match is difficult for everyone, and it would be wonderful if some of you wouldn't mind making it a little easier for others

THIS is what is so frustrating about the derm forum. Hundreds of views on several posts with minimal responses🙁

 

[asmallchild]

THIS is what is so frustrating about the derm forum. Hundreds of views on several posts with minimal responses🙁

I encourage you to remember this frustration and return as a resident to post and contribute. Anonymity is certainly a valid concern and that could represent why it's been so quiet on this thread. At the end of the day, aways are a lot like choosing to apply for derm, it requires a leap of faith.

Programs and particularly student rotations change frequently. The number of rotating students can change from year to year and even month to month depending on changes in faculty or interest from home institution students. "Crowding" can be a concern but it's hard to recommend rotations where you get "too much" exposure. The attendings and residents will get to know you well (both strengths and weaknesses) and that may not work out well for some students. Most rotations will end up providing a letter, some specific attendings may not provide this for you but in general, you should be able to leave with some sort of letter (likely generic). Strengths and weaknesses of programs change from year to year and even the overall atmosphere of a program differs with changing resident mixes.

In short, it's nice to be informed before leaping into something but there are too many variables at play to say you can make an "informed choice" about your away. Take a leap of faith and most importantly, be sure to treat your away rotation (whichever one it may be, 2nd/3rd/4th) like you treated your 1st derm rotation: be professional and be engaged.

 

[doc MD]

279 views and still no posts 🙁

C'mon, remember, at some point you were a third year who didn't know where you should do aways. The derm match is difficult for everyone, and it would be wonderful if some of you wouldn't mind making it a little easier for others

how will you account for trolling?

 

[N-Surge]

Where to do aways:

Think location and do one where want to go, do your program, then maybe get to know an attending at another program with your interests and do one there. That's what I did... Hope that helps.

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