away sub I

[cookiegrub]

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although a lot of people say away sub-Is aren't necessary to match IM, how does it look if I am a DO planning to possibly apply to IM? I want to go back to my previous site where I did my core and try to get a better grade but I also know that getting the same preceptor might not be guaranteed...but let's assume it is the same person. Any insight would be really helpful. I have mixed feelings doing an away at a big university program because it might actually hurt my chances.

 

[gutonc]

Advantages: You know the system now so it will be easier to thrive. You might get the same preceptor (not sure why you'd want the same person who gave you what you consider an insufficient grade before, but, whatever).
Disadvantages: Literally everything else.

Up to you obviously (and you seem to have already made up your mind), but I'd recommend sticking at your home site and crushing it.

 

[InternistDO]

although a lot of people say away sub-Is aren't necessary to match IM, how does it look if I am a DO planning to possibly apply to IM? I want to go back to my previous site where I did my core and try to get a better grade but I also know that getting the same preceptor might not be guaranteed...but let's assume it is the same person. Any insight would be really helpful. I have mixed feelings doing an away at a big university program because it might actually hurt my chances.

I didn't do any IM aways and I got a perfectly reasonable amount of big academic IM interview invitations as a DO, same with my friends. If you have a weaker application I guess it couldn't hurt though. That being said, you probably would want to do at least one medicine rotation in a traditional teaching environment (where there's an IM or at least an FM residency), because rotating with a single private attending is very different from rotating with a teaching team of residents, but this rotation doesn't have to be an audition per se.

(From a non-application perspective, sometimes DO rotations take place at some smaller hospitals that can be somewhat removed from the latest and greatest academic medicine, so it is nice to do an IM or subspecialty away at a big center just to see how things are done differently at the mothership.)

 

[cookiegrub]

Advantages: You know the system now so it will be easier to thrive. You might get the same preceptor (not sure why you'd want the same person who gave you what you consider an insufficient grade before, but, whatever).
Disadvantages: Literally everything else.

Up to you obviously (and you seem to have already made up your mind), but I'd recommend sticking at your home site and crushing it.

I agree with the fact that my grade did not reflect the amount of work I did. From speaking with prior students, it seems like she gives a standard grade to everyone and only reserves the highest grade to only a few students. However, I was told 4th year would be different because you get more to do. Overall though, the preceptor is the only medicine person at this place and she does support 4th years more. I haven't made up my mind yet so I might reconsider based on your advice. I just was worried because I've been told sub-Is need to be crushed and I felt at a familiar site it might help to do better.

 

[AlteredScale]

I agree with the fact that my grade did not reflect the amount of work I did. From speaking with prior students, it seems like she gives a standard grade to everyone and only reserves the highest grade to only a few students. However, I was told 4th year would be different because you get more to do. Overall though, the preceptor is the only medicine person at this place and she does support 4th years more. I haven't made up my mind yet so I might reconsider based on your advice. I just was worried because I've been told sub-Is need to be crushed and I felt at a familiar site it might help to do better.

You shouldn't be worrying about grades in 4th year. The first 3-4 rotations is essentially your last chance to get a strong letter of recommendation.

My suggestion is that your first 4th year rotation you rotate wit this preceptor or someone at this site, and work VERY hard. Learn how to hold your own in taking care of 4-6 patients and learn how orders are dealt with. Make sure you are on top of everything with the patient including orders, discharge planning, stuff like that. Just don't be annoying about it. You are just using this month to learn how to be a good Sub-I and find your own work flow.

Then your next 2-3 rotations should be at bigger places, they don't need to be gigantic university hospitals, just places that have internal medicine residencies and actually take 4th years. Use this time to shine and ask for letters from faculty or APDs or if you're lucky the PD if they are rotating on service at the same time as you. Just know, that these people expect that you will ask them for letters, so don't be afraid or intimidated.

 

[cookiegrub]

S

You shouldn't be worrying about grades in 4th year. The first 3-4 rotations is essentially your last chance to get a strong letter of recommendation.

My suggestion is that your first 4th year rotation you rotate wit this preceptor or someone at this site, and work VERY hard. Learn how to hold your own in taking care of 4-6 patients and learn how orders are dealt with. Make sure you are on top of everything with the patient including orders, discharge planning, stuff like that. Just don't be annoying about it. You are just using this month to learn how to be a good Sub-I and find your own work flow.

Then your next 2-3 rotations should be at bigger places, they don't need to be gigantic university hospitals, just places that have internal medicine residencies and actually take 4th years. Use this time to shine and ask for letters from faculty or APDs or if you're lucky the PD if they are rotating on service at the same time as you. Just know, that these people expect that you will ask them for letters, so don't be afraid or intimidated.

Some institutes only have offerings in subspecialty. Do you think doing one in cardio or something IM specialty will be the same as subi?

 

[rokshana]

S
Some institutes only have offerings in subspecialty. Do you think doing one in cardio or something IM specialty will be the same as subi?

No

 

[popopopop]

I had the same question a few weeks ago here, but the difference is that the place I was trying to go back to would most likely be my #1(if I get an interview of course). I wouldn't do it unless you're set on it becoming a top place on your rank list.