Away Rotation Scheduling Issues

[subtle1epiphany]

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Okay, so an issue has come up recently as I'm looking to my away time later this year. I've got three consecutive electives during what I understand is "interview season":

Sept 29 - Oct 26
Oct 27 - Nov 23
Nov 24 - Dec 21

All of these are this year in 2008, and I'll be MS4 during that time. I've decided to do two of those rotation at OHSU and UWash, but not much other than that (likely the other will be at another hospital in Oregon). I contacted OHSU, they're my first choice (so far as I know), and while the visiting student schedules aren't out for that time of the year (late January the site is updated), the lady who responded said that they are four week intervals beginning on June 30.
Here's the catch, we have a week of vacation on June 30, followed by my schedule of Emergency Med Rotation (July 7 - Aug 3), Psych (Aug 4 - 31), and then OB/Gyn (Sept 1 - 28). All of these are required rotations and I've already struggled in getting these done before those above elective times so I could do audition rotations in the Pacific NW (which is where I want to do my residency - Oregon or Wash).

So, I know that there's tons of dates and stuff up there, but my issue is that I'll be off by a week coming into that time. I know I don't have the dates for UWash (I'm a little embarrassed to say that their scheduling document confuses me a little...), but how do I proceed from here?
A friend of mine said that I could use vacation time to get the schedules synchronized and then afterwards too, which I guess is an option, but other than that what's generally done? If UWash is on our schedule, which it looks like it might be, then perhaps I should start with that rotation and then continue from there...

Thanks for any and all advice!!!
- s1e

 

[PeeWee137]

first off, definitely find out if these sites you want to rotate at have "rigid" start dates. im encountering the same problem as nycom has weird start dates for each rotation month. but many places i've contacted are flexible with their dates, even though their website says they have set blocks. and in my experience, the later you request a rotation the more likely they are to accommodate your needs. october isnt the most popular showcase month so that may help you. (as a side note, why on earth do we have to set up rotations for next year now? half the hospitals im contacting are laughing at me and telling me to call back in the spring...)
otherwise i guess use your vacation to get in schedule with their dates and then set up your rotation. (you are lucky you can do that, i have to take my 4 week vacation at once)
one advantage of showcasing during interview season is that you can mention your interest while you are there. especially if you traveled far to be there, they may choose to interview you during your rotation.
sorry i cant be more helpful, but dont worry, alot of us are in the same boat!

 

[subtle1epiphany]

That's a very good point and something I should have thought of doing. 😀
Thanks for the advice and best of luck with your rotations!

It's true I'm still early, but I am pretty sure I want to be in the Pacific NW and since those are the only two university programs (and they're highly ranked) I want to get a good start on things. I have a tendency to procrastinate terribly, so this is good practice also.