Away rotation strategy

[Pike]

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I'm trying to decide between two different programs for an away rotation this fall. The first program is more competitive, and in terms of my numbers/research I probably fall toward the trailing end of the kind of candidates interviewed. The second program I fall more toward the midrange of the kind of candidates interviewed. Though I'd be happy at both programs for residency, I'd really love to end up at the more competitive program, which also incidentally would provide easier housing options for me for the month. My gut tells me that it would be more wise to spend the month at the less competitive program so as to maximize the chance that I'll at least match somewhere, but I'd really like to spend the month at the other program. Any suggestions for me? Note: I would not be seeking a letter from either location.

Thanks

 

[babyblue_39]

Since you don't want a letter, I would do both if you can. But only if you're the type of person who honors w/o breaking a sweat. If you are infectiously charming and funny with a great personality. Be honest. You know if you are. I think there are many elements to an application (numbers, research, LORs, and personality). Doing away rotations will only help you match if you have the presonality. There are people for whom away rotations help, hurt or are completely neutral. Don't think doing an away rotation guarantees or necessarily improves your chances (unless you are the person described above). If you are the person described above and you can't do both, then go ahead for the more competitive one because even competitive residencies will take someone with lower qualifications if they feel that it is someone who they want to work with. Its a hard choice. I would apply to both because you also never know which one is already full.

 

[splice]

Also consider that away rotation experience can help your application even when interviewing at places other than the one you rotated at. As such, an elective at a top program may be a more interesting addition to your application than a rotation at a lesser program for various reasons. Just curious, why are you set on not asking for a letter from your away rotation? You can ask for a letter and submit a late 4th letter to SFmatch. If the letter is from a well-known program, it may add significantly to your application. Attendings all know how important letters are for us, and you shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking for one if the experience was positive.

Like babyblue said, away electives can be unimaginably helpful or they can totally screw you, or somewhere in between, depending on how your interaction goes with the faculty there. I ended up doing two away electives back-to-back; one turned out to be exceptionally valuable and the other was neutral or a bit worse. I would try to do both of the electives that you are considering if possible as well.

 

[diopter]

So I, respectfully, disagree with ms. babyblue. It's important to realize that the main purpose of an away is to make friends, regardless if you're shooting for a letter or not... preferrably with people who are part of the resident selection process. You don't necessarily have to be the most outgoing and social person to do an away (although that definitely helps) or get great letters... rather you need to seek out someone to work with who, optimally, matches your 'presonality' 🙂, and has similar goals.. essentially someone who sees a younger version of themselves in you...

As for the competitiveness of programs you do aways at... I'd say shoot for the stars... do it where you'd love to go (cuz it will definitely show during the month)... and if you were the PD of an ophtho program and your best friend were applying... you'd fight for them regardless of the quality of your program, wouldn't ya? But make sure you aren't 'wasting' your time... I question how well-spent away rotations are (with respect to matching... not in terms of learning), where you spend all your time with newly-minted PGY2s, and have only a few minutes a day with attendings...

But, yeah, practically, apply to several aways, cuz they do fill up quickly, and try to fit a couple in... Personally, my strategy was to focus on my home school (which, luckily, is a solid program), and then do aways at dream places that I had no right even considering. I figured even if I didn't end up matching there, I'd know a bunch more cool ophtho peeps 🙂...

Also, you don't always have to do an official away rotation to get to know people... I emailed my CV to a PD at a top program (who seemed to have interests similar to mine) saying I was interested, would be in town for the summer and had no need for credit, and he said "sure, join me in my clinic for a few weeks in May"... so you never know... Of course, I wouldn't recommend doing this as your initial ophtho experience when you're still trying to figure out what "OU" stands for 🙂 Also, remember it's the quality, not the quantity, of time that matters... One of my recs was from a wonderful ophtho big-wig, with whom I spent a total of 12 hrs working (she only saw pts at my school 1 day a week over a month)... I was told during several interviews that it was a 'great and very enthusiastic' letter...

 

[rubensan]

I think all of the advice given in this thread is valid. My advice is to do rotations at both programs. Yes, you should be realistic, but you should also shoot for the stars, that's why they are there, right?

Good Luck!

 

[Pike]

Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. Indeed I think I'll go for the somewhat more competitive program, but it's a good suggestion to apply for both in case one or the other has no openings during the time I would need. Regarding the letter situation - I already have two faculty members in mind that I will likely ask for letters - but that also is a good suggestion about the possibility of obtaining the "late" letter if I happen to get to know someone well. Thanks again.