Career Objectives/Specialty Electives- application

[usmlesuccess]

What is exactly are they looking for under career objectives section. Is this supposed to be a long discussion? Also, what are you putting under specialty electives?

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[ophthope]

If I remember correctly, 'specialty electives' just means information about any M3/M4 Ophthalmology electives that you did and what they entailed, including away rotations. Did a grand rounds? Journal club? Etc? Put that stuff on there.

Career objectives is going to say basically the same thing for everyone; "To be trained to become an ophthalmologist blah blah blah." If you know you want to do academics, or research, or you're thinking about a fellowship already then this is the place to mention it in like three or four words.

 

[razkui]

If I remember correctly, 'specialty electives' just means information about any M3/M4 Ophthalmology electives that you did and what they entailed, including away rotations. Did a grand rounds? Journal club? Etc? Put that stuff on there.

Career objectives is going to say basically the same thing for everyone; "To be trained to become an ophthalmologist blah blah blah." If you know you want to do academics, or research, or you're thinking about a fellowship already then this is the place to mention it in like three or four words.

including stating the names of where you are doing away rotations? does it seem kinda shooting yourself in the foot? not sure i guess!

 

[ophthope]

including stating the names of where you are doing away rotations? does it seem kinda shooting yourself in the foot? not sure i guess!

Yes including the names of where you're doing the away rotations. Of course it isn't shooting yourself in the foot! You can't do away rotations everywhere. I did an away somewhere other than where I matched, and I matched my #1. The people deciding on who to interview aren't as absurd as SDN banter may lead you to believe. Just don't spell ophthalmology wrong, that tip really is true.

 

[cyclopz]

Yes including the names of where you're doing the away rotations. Of course it isn't shooting yourself in the foot! You can't do away rotations everywhere. I did an away somewhere other than where I matched, and I matched my #1. The people deciding on who to interview aren't as absurd as SDN banter may lead you to believe. Just don't spell ophthalmology wrong, that tip really is true.

Hmm are you sure it's a good idea to put where you did your away rotations? I don't know if that's a good idea lol. Especially if there are multiple programs in that same area and the others get offended or something for not choosing them. Telling them where you rotated if they ask in an interview is one thing, but voluntarily giving up that info?

Idk, did anyone else list their aways here? lol

 

[ophthope]

Hmm are you sure it's a good idea to put where you did your away rotations? I don't know if that's a good idea lol. Especially if there are multiple programs in that same area and the others get offended or something for not choosing them. Telling them where you rotated if they ask in an interview is one thing, but voluntarily giving up that info?

Idk, did anyone else list their aways here? lol

Ophtho electives and away rotations is what "Specialty Elective(s) and Related Activities" means, so I think they expect you to tell where you did them. There are some times during this whole interview process when not revealing all of your cards is appropriate, but I really really don't think this is one of them. Hopefully others will coment.

 

[hurdlepup]

I did two aways, talked about going to the other away while at my first away and put it on the application. Did have several conversations with the program director at the first away about why exactly I was going to the other away, though so, I'd be prepared to talk about it. Ranked the first away higher than the second away and still matched there so it didn't affect me. N of 1.

Did have one place ask me why I didn't come do a rotation there (was close to where I did one of the aways, came down to logistics on choosing, only do so many away rotation, etc), and didn't match there, was one slot higher than where I matched... But the chairman was on the phone the whole time I was interviewing with him so I don't think they were interested in me anyway.

 

[kwel]

I did two aways, talked about going to the other away while at my first away and put it on the application. Did have several conversations with the program director at the first away about why exactly I was going to the other away, though so, I'd be prepared to talk about it. Ranked the first away higher than the second away and still matched there so it didn't affect me. N of 1.

Did have one place ask me why I didn't come do a rotation there (was close to where I did one of the aways, came down to logistics on choosing, only do so many away rotation, etc), and didn't match there, was one slot higher than where I matched... But the chairman was on the phone the whole time I was interviewing with him so I don't think they were interested in me anyway.

wow really?

 

[hurdlepup]

wow really?

Yep. They said he was on call for patient care and had two other PhDs in the room with him, but I don't even remember if he introduced himself. I'm kind of thinking he did but if so that's about it.

 

[Merlin0082]

What kind of stuff are they looking for in the Honors, Awards and Achievements section?

What are they looking for besides AOA? Do you put things like Dean's List in Undergrad? Graduation with high honors?

 

[razkui]

So is there a consensus as to if we should state where we did our away rotations for the Specialty Elective(s) section?

Also, if it's Related Activities...would we be double dipping if we listed the same stuff under Public Service and Activities...they would fit into both sections. What do you think?

 

[peroxidase]

Yes, put where you did your away rotation.

Also, why would you put the same thing in different parts of the application? Put it in one section and leave it at that.

 

[Melenema]

What kind of stuff are they looking for in the Honors, Awards and Achievements section?

What are they looking for besides AOA? Do you put things like Dean's List in Undergrad? Graduation with high honors?

I would say in addition to AOA you can put major awards (PBK, scholarships, fellowships, etc). I just wouldn't stretch it too much. Wouldn't put awards like "voted most likely to succeed" or saying that you won some dinky class competition in econ or something.

One of my IM attendings told me he actually gives negative points to people who put things like that in their app. Yes, that's IM and only one attending's perspective, but still.

So is there a consensus as to if we should state where we did our away rotations for the Specialty Elective(s) section?

Also, if it's Related Activities...would we be double dipping if we listed the same stuff under Public Service and Activities...they would fit into both sections. What do you think?

I'm putting my ophtho electives (both home and away), as well as ophtho-related activities that wouldn't fit elsewhere in the app. The section heading for this is really unhelpful and non-specific. I wouldn't double-dip though