i did rotations at 3 places:
UCLA
USC
UC Davis
When I was at UCLA, I did my rotation at Jules Stein. You don't get to do a whole lot, but it was a good place to start because I learned how to check accuities, use the slit lamp and examine an eye with the resident. Plus Dr. Arnold is very nice and a good teacher.
I did my rotation at USC the following month and spent half my time at Doheny and half my time at the county hospital clinic. This was an awesome experience because I got to interact with a lot of faculty at Doheny and got to see patients on my own and present them to the resident/fellow when I was at the county. By the end, I knew how to applinate, felt comfortable with simple refractions, learned how to use the indirect ophthalmoscope and the 90 lens. I also learned a lot when I took call with the residents. This is an amazing place to do a rotation if you learn by doing. There is no end to what the residents will teach you or let you do if you work hard and are enthused. I was excited that I matched here.
The following month, I did a rotation at UC Davis. This is an awesome program, and one of the best kept secrets on the West Coast. The residents, fellows and faculty are outstanding (Mannis, Schwab and Keltner are big names!) and I would have been very happy had I matched here. I got to do a lot here, not as much as at USC because you are working in the attendings private clinics, but very well worth it!
