Chicago Away Rotations - frustrated!

[EBKame]

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So, I've been researching and applying to away rotations since April and I just got a rejection from UIC for October because they filled with their own students. That would be fine, except for the fact that Resurrection, University of Chicago, Christ, and Cook are all out of the picture for October too. I've contacted Northwestern, but they don't give out any information on availability and I can only assume they are competitive. I've heard that Mercy is a possibility, but I've been having troubles reaching them and I'm not sure what the benefit of rotating there is. Basically, I need some advice on whether to just give up doing a rotation in Chicago and start calling up places in NYC or Boston (the two other cities I'm considering for residency) or should I apply for a Rads or Anesthesia rotation in Chicago just to get exposure to the hospital and EM team? My original plan was to do one away rotation each in Boston, Chicago, and NYC to get some perspective on where I could best live and get a letter from hospitals in different regions. Any advice?

 

[jbar]

I'm just a medical student, but I'm involved with our EMIG and we had a talk from the program directors on applying and they suggested one home and one away rotation. Three away rotations sounds like alot. Is this in addition to a home rotation? From what I hear you just aren't going to be able to do rotations at most of the places you are applying to, and you should be able to figure out if you like a program and would live in the city based on the interview and your research.

Also, I can't imagine going full bore, sub I, trying to make a good impression for fourth months in a row. I think by the last program I wouldn't have as much to give and would actually hurt my chances by really needing a break and not being enthused. But just my take.

 

[EBKame]

Actually, my home institution doesn't do any Emergency Medicine electives, so I need to get my SLOR and letters from away rotations only. I realize three is overkill, but I really want to get an impression of how it would be in all the three cities I'm applying. I also can't imagine doing anything other than Emergency Medicine and I figure it can't hurt to make contacts for future interviews.

 

[chuck deli]

The "UIC" program actually incorporates 3 hospitals: UIC, Masonic, and Mercy. Therefore if you did a rotation at Masonic or Mercy, you would still be exposed to UIC residents and faculty. Resurrection also does a lot of work at Saint Francis (A level 1), so that could be a possibility. Mt Sinai is where a lot of residents at U of C, UIC, and Resurrection rotate (the "knife and gun club" of Chicago). Or there are the pediatric hospitals, Children's Memorial and Komer's Children's, you could try them.

Also, there can be a lot of movement on the waiting lists for rotations, I know that Cook County's can change a lot, so ask to be put on waiting lists!

 

[deleted52758]

good advice from the above. rotating at mercy is just as good as rotating at uofi, if not better. each one of the three uofi hospitals are involved in residency selection. so i'd apply there and to masonic. lots of people actually say that mercy is a far more enjoyable experience then the other two hospitals.

and dont give up, get on some waiting lists and what not. at the end of the day, you really dont need 3 EM rotaitons. two would more then suffice.

 

[EBKame]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm going to keep trying Mercy and ask to be put on the waiting list. Hopefully as people get their aways, they will take themselves off of double bookings...

 

[WilcoWorld]

Ditto on what Willy said (that's generally a safe bet) - Mercy is a great site & has some attendings who would make great SLOR writers.

Also, if things don't work out for an October EM month, you could do a month of trauma. You'll work with EM residents, get a lot of procedures, and it looks good on your transcript.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Don't know too much about the Chicago programs, but I would immediately ditch the idea of doing electives in Anesthesia or Radiology to get exposure to the Dept of EM.

Another thing to think of (I have no idea if this flies at UIC or Cook) is to look at stuff like emergency ultrasound or toxicology, sometimes they are offered as well.

Three is too many man, you'll get sick of auditioning.

 

[dowiattp]

I had trouble with the Chicago programs last year. Ended up doing aways in NYC and DC (and one at IU). I did 3 EM away rotations (we don't have an EM program at my school) and one quasi-EM rotation for a total of four. It was a lot of fun, though a lot of moving around. I had great experiences and received great SLORs.

 

[deleted109597]

Three is overkill. Trust me on this.

 

[lucky_deadman]

Three is overkill. Trust me on this.

Exactly what he said. Two is sufficient.

 

[EBKame]

Crisis diverted. My advice to those not getting Chicago rotations, is to contact both Mercy and Masonic. They were really quick about getting back to me and they still have availability for most months. Also, it will save from jumping through all of the Northwestern hoops.