Away rotations necessary?

[kwel]

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Was talking to some of my ophtho-bound friends and I'm the only one not doing any aways. How important are they? Are they just important for the specific program where you rotate, or for applying to ophtho as a whole?

I have a relatively strong app, no real deficits to make up for, and I'm not particularly interested in any specific location/program, so I decided not to do any aways. I also felt it would be difficult to prove myself or make myself look good during an away since ophthalmology doesn' really lend itself well to med student participation and I'm much better on paper than on rotations to begin with.

However, if doing an away is highly recommended for some reason I'm totally missing, I'm totally down to scrape something together. Any insight?

 

[azzarah]

Was talking to some of my ophtho-bound friends and I'm the only one not doing any aways. How important are they? Are they just important for the specific program where you rotate, or for applying to ophtho as a whole?

I have a relatively strong app, no real deficits to make up for, and I'm not particularly interested in any specific location/program, so I decided not to do any aways. I also felt it would be difficult to prove myself or make myself look good during an away since ophthalmology doesn' really lend itself well to med student participation and I'm much better on paper than on rotations to begin with.

However, if doing an away is highly recommended for some reason I'm totally missing, I'm totally down to scrape something together. Any insight?

All I can say is that I didn't do one and it turned out just fine for me. 🙂

I did not feel like wasting my time and money and travel to another city for an away rotation. I also did not want all the other programs I was applying to think that I was committed to one particular program and not serious about their program, especially if I ended up not being a shining star as a med student while on that particular away rotation and therefore not get ranked there.

I also already had letters from big wigs in ophthalmology, so I didn't need any additional letters. If I were from a smaller medical school with a smaller ophtho dept, then I would have probably considered doing an away rotation. Also, if I were a weaker candidate or if I didn't match the first time, I would have considered doing an away at a less prestigious place and trying to get a spot there. At least that was my plan at the time anyway. 🙂

I think it just depends on what you are looking to get out of it. There are others who feel strongly about doing away rotations.

 

[4424]

I agree. I think aways are important to some candidates and less for others. It sounds like you have good insight in knowing the kind of applicant you are, and it doesn't sound like an away would be helpful. I didn't do an away, I knew my personality wouldn't be one to stick out in a month rotation so I just did a rotation at my home program.

 

[clearsight]

I agree, too. In fact, one prominent program director also feels the same way. Here is a link to an article he wrote. http://digitalmagazinetechnology.com/a/JAO/volume4/01/page20#page=21&zoom=1

Noteably, he mentions some situations where an away might be desireable, e.g. exposure to a particular mentor, proximity to family and friends (lessen expense) or a very small or non-existing home ophtho program.

Other program directors disagree. But they do not foot the bill or put in the work needed for an away. As for me, I didn't do any away rotations. And to visit family, I just took a month off during 4th year 🙂

Good luck my friend.