competitive away rotations

[DW3843]

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I was reading some recent posts and tought about this but didn't really have a good answer. How hard is it to get an away rotation?

It seems like I hear of people getting rejected from an away at certain places all the time.

Obviously, this is dependent on the specialty/rotation as well as the location and logistical aspects of taking on an extra student for a few weeks. I have read specific Step 1 score cut-offs for away rotations in the ultimate-lifestyle-specialty-that-is-derm, but I don't know if that same standard applies for those of us who are a little more grounded in reality.

Would you say that a lot of away rotation applications will leave you in nail-biting suspense, or do most people typically know that they are likely to get the away rotation before even applying?

 

[Magnus67]

I recently got an Anesthesia month at the University of Utah. Got my app in plenty early, but I was a little surprised when they sent me a email requesting Step 1 scores and transcript because they wanted to evaluate my competivness for their residency. This followup was not mentioned at all on their website. Anyway it must have worked out ok, I was curious if other programs do this as well as Utah was the first one I have heard from.

To the OP, i was told by fourth year students at my school that externships are not that hard to get as long as you get your apps in early. Hope this helps a little, some other students experiences would be nice.

 

[babyruth]

I was asked for my board scores for applying to Michigan State University on their application, which I thought was a little weird, but I shrugged and hoped that they schedule me. I have not heard back yet but it is for rotations in Sept. and Oct.

 

[Adcadet]

I'm waiting to hear from Mayo. They required a transcript, Step 1 score, a letter of recommendation, CV, list of research activities, and a personal statement. Seems a bit much. Does any other place require all this?

 

[carrigallen]

I'm waiting to hear from Mayo. They required a transcript, Step 1 score, a letter of recommendation, CV, list of research activities, and a personal statement.

good lord, are you applying for residency or an away rotation? I haven't seen any places that require all this.

 

[jennyboo]

I applied for some aways at competitive residencies. One required a letter of recommendation (I just had my school transmit one of the residency LORs I already had collected), but I was never asked for my scores BEFORE being offered the away! (I WAS asked for my scores/transcript/etc after I asked one of the faculty for a LOR for residency apps. But that had nothing to do with getting the away.)

The most important part about getting aways at competitive residencies is that you need to apply for them EARLY, i.e. before they fill up, as most are first come first serve. If you're at the end of your M3 year now, email their coordinator to ask NOW whether they have room, and if they do, tell them you will definitely take the away if offered -- some coordinators will pencil you in even before your application for the rotation is completed. I applied in Feb-March for one in June... phoned for another in March and got penciled in for in September before my application was mailed in. If you're at the end of your M2, I'd say choose your places to apply in January if you can....

And if you haven't chosen the specialty.... I was down to two specialties. I applied for electives in 2 specialties and withdrew my application for one after I chose my specialty.

 

[jennyboo]

I'm waiting to hear from Mayo. They required a transcript, Step 1 score, a letter of recommendation, CV, list of research activities, and a personal statement. Seems a bit much. Does any other place require all this?

That seems ridiculous... but is probably worth it, since if they would not consider you anyway as a residency applicant I wouldn't waste time rotating there. Nothing hurts more than to bust your butt rotating somewhere, HONOR their rotation and then not even get offered an interview.

 

[Adcadet]

That seems ridiculous... but is probably worth it, since if they would not consider you anyway as a residency applicant I wouldn't waste time rotating there. Nothing hurts more than to bust your butt rotating somewhere, HONOR their rotation and then not even get offered an interview.

I sure hope this is why their application is such a pain.

 

[jennyboo]

I sure hope this is why their application is such a pain.

What would be even worse than honoring the rotation and not getting offered the interview, is getting offered a "courtesy" interview even though they don't plan to rank you. Especially if you have to pay for the flight and hotel to get there. That's when you realize it would've been better NOT to get the interview. 😡

However.... you really don't know. I rotated, thought I was offered a courtesy, took the trip there.... Turns out they matched me.

 

[ElZorro]

UNC ER had me do all this as well as a decleration of my interest in their program and a general letter expressing my interest in ER (similar to my personal statement).

I'm waiting to hear from Mayo. They required a transcript, Step 1 score, a letter of recommendation, CV, list of research activities, and a personal statement. Seems a bit much. Does any other place require all this?

 

[Adcadet]

UNC ER had me do all this as well as a decleration of my interest in their program and a general letter expressing my interest in ER (similar to my personal statement).

Is the UNC ER program very competitive?