Concern with 3rd/4th year

[DiverDoc]

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Posted in the oste forum, but was gettin no post love.


have been accepted to 3 DO schools so far, cancelled the rest of my interviews. As my sig would suggest, I am going to WVSOM next fall. However, after a lot of consideration and research, I am worried about 3rd and 4th year for WVSOM. I am not from the area and it is required that 3rd years stay in WV. Thats not so much of a problem as is for 4th year, if you want to rotate outside of WV, you have to set up the rotations, make initial contacts with hospitals etc.. on your own. In addition I "heard" that the pass rate last year for WVSOM was like 89%, quite a bit below the national avg right? I absolutely loved my interview experience at WVSOM, but I gotta think about my life past years 1 and 2. The other school I am considering is KCUMB, there match list is quite impressive as is there board pass rates. In light of all of this, could any body share any info with regards to my aforementioned concerns?

 

[NPEMTIV]

Posted in the oste forum, but was gettin no post love.


have been accepted to 3 DO schools so far, cancelled the rest of my interviews. As my sig would suggest, I am going to WVSOM next fall. However, after a lot of consideration and research, I am worried about 3rd and 4th year for WVSOM. I am not from the area and it is required that 3rd years stay in WV. Thats not so much of a problem as is for 4th year, if you want to rotate outside of WV, you have to set up the rotations, make initial contacts with hospitals etc.. on your own. In addition I "heard" that the pass rate last year for WVSOM was like 89%, quite a bit below the national avg right? I absolutely loved my interview experience at WVSOM, but I gotta think about my life past years 1 and 2. The other school I am considering is KCUMB, there match list is quite impressive as is there board pass rates. In light of all of this, could any body share any info with regards to my aforementioned concerns?

I would never regret a decision to go to WVSOM if I were you. They are nationally ranked for family medicine, and they turn out a fantastic doctor. I would base my decision on how well you liked the school, faculty, and curiculum. Just my opinion.

 

[Powdermonkey]

Yeah, I agree. DiverDoc, you just seem so pumped about it, I dont think you will be anywhere close to that 11% thats not getting through. You just seem to want it too bad. Go where you are comfortable.

As far as the rotations, I dunno... there is a lot of rural care in WV. If thats even slightly interesting to you, then there you go. Do I understand you correctly that the 4th years get to go out of state if they want, but the 3rd years dont? Thats strange if they do...

 

[DiverDoc]

Yeah, I agree. DiverDoc, you just seem so pumped about it, I dont think you will be anywhere close to that 11% thats not getting through. You just seem to want it too bad. Go where you are comfortable.

As far as the rotations, I dunno... there is a lot of rural care in WV. If thats even slightly interesting to you, then there you go. Do I understand you correctly that the 4th years get to go out of state if they want, but the 3rd years dont? Thats strange if they do...

Yeah, I talked to a rep today and they said you can go OOS for 4th yr. rotations, but the responsibility on setting it up is on you and to my understanding get no help from the institution. That scares me a little bit in terms of opportunity. 😳

 

[fabu1ous]

Posted in the oste forum, but was gettin no post love.


have been accepted to 3 DO schools so far, cancelled the rest of my interviews. As my sig would suggest, I am going to WVSOM next fall. However, after a lot of consideration and research, I am worried about 3rd and 4th year for WVSOM. I am not from the area and it is required that 3rd years stay in WV. Thats not so much of a problem as is for 4th year, if you want to rotate outside of WV, you have to set up the rotations, make initial contacts with hospitals etc.. on your own. In addition I "heard" that the pass rate last year for WVSOM was like 89%, quite a bit below the national avg right? I absolutely loved my interview experience at WVSOM, but I gotta think about my life past years 1 and 2. The other school I am considering is KCUMB, there match list is quite impressive as is there board pass rates. In light of all of this, could any body share any info with regards to my aforementioned concerns?

Hey DiverDoc,

I'll echo the above posters in that I wouldn't worry about the pass rates. This is a part of med school completely under your control, and obviously the school was successful in preparing almost 90% of their students in passing.

I do, however, understand your concerns about rotations. I assume that by your post, your wanting to travel outside of WV for your rotations. I understand that your letters or rec should come from the rotations you complete in your third year to make you competitive for matching-- so I think you should definately consider the choices you have during your third year. Any particular reasons you do not want to use their sites during the 3rd and 4th year? Ultimately, maybe see if there is a student website where you can ask questions about these years and get feedback (perhaps there is a diff site outside of SDN). Then make your choices accordingly. Best to you!!

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Okay... So how does someone go about finding places to do rotations on their own?

 

[NFiasco]

Okay... So how does someone go about finding places to do rotations on their own?

Yeah, I have the same question. I assuming I have to setup these rotations only during the 'electives' in 4th year.

 

[DiverDoc]

Beats the heck outta me. Im just not liking the idea that Im basically 'stuck' in west virginia. What attracts me to KCUMB is the fact that if I want to rotate in KC or in miami for example, I can. Their core site list spans the nation pretty much, while WVSOM core sites, spans WV.

 

[DrMidlife]

Okay... So how does someone go about finding places to do rotations on their own?

I want to do rotations overseas, so I picked up "The Medic's Guide to Work and Electives around the World" by Mark Wilson, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0340810513/002-0829624-7525627.

It has plenty of info about opportunities in the US, and how to pursue them. I'm mostly using it as a template for pursuing "off the menu" opportunities.

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

even though I am premed and not accepted anywhere yet, I have researched rotation options extensively. I had planned to go overseas for school (just b/c I loved the city and country it was in and can't wait to live/work overseas) and needed to make sure that I had an in back in the states. As you can tell, I decided not to go overseas, but am glad for the rotation/residency research.

For your external rotations the best thing to do is start researching locations early. I did this by searching the residency slots through FRIEDA at AMA and the one at AOA. You can search by speciality and location and it will give the names of hospitals/institutions/ect.

Then go to that website and look around for medical education. Most major hospital systems have a standard application for applying to do a student rotation--both for schools they are affliated with and schools they are not affliated with. They get good recommendations from school and apply.

I think that no matter what school you go to, if you want to do a rotation outside of the system (or overseas) it will take a lot of work and go-getterness on your part.

Overall though, if you know that you want to do residency/live/work in a certain area, no matter where you go to school you need to get a rotation in that area. As I have heard the best way to win a residency spot is to go there as a student and show off your stuff!

Good luck with your decision DiverDoc. I know that you'll make the right choice and that you will be bless by it!

HD

 

[spicedmanna]

Okay... So how does someone go about finding places to do rotations on their own?

I can't believe WVSOM won't help you at all. They should offer some assistance, at least helping you negotiate with rotation sites. You can find sites by doing some research, by word of mouth, etc. Visit the sites and talk to their director of education; see if they are willing to take you. The important thing is to make sure they have adequate didactics to support your education. Most places are fine otherwise, but you need to make sure you are going to be learning what you need to learn.

 

[Richie Truxillo]

Ok, as promised, I am replying to this thread.

I will say this, in your first two years at WVSOM, say hello to the clinical education staff. Treat them well and never complain. This will aid you when you need help with setting up rotations in your 4th year.

3rd year, you goto a statewide campus site. It was optional for me but I went to Princeton, WV and had a good experience. I even went away (by choice) for a couple elective rotations in urology.

In your 4th year you set up your rotations yourself. It basically entails contacting the program's student coordinator at the place you want to rotate. You fill out an ESR form (simple and quick) and then have the physician you rotate with sign it. Then fax it back. It'll appear in your online schedule almost the same day. Just like in the business world, treating staff with respect and friendliness goes a long way in getting you 4th year rotations. Do so and you'll have no problems with getting rotations at places you want. I used to think it was really hard to schedule my 4th year rotations but in hindsight, it just takes an outgoing friendly spirit and some initiative. 🙂 You'll be fine.

As for the pass rate at WVSOM. Let me just say this much. Never trust the school (any school for that matter) to adequately prepare you for boards. You must buy the review books and take the initiative to study for the boards on your own. Simple as that. As a PBL Student, I picked up books, read them and pretty much learned it on my own. The group sessions just help you to put it all together.

My background was in computer science and I came to medical school with limited medical knowledge. Even my friends at school thought I would not make it through when I made a 42 on my first anatomy test. I pulled out a 76 in anatomy in the end and I passed both Step I and Step II on my first try. 👍 My 3rd year was straight A's. If a little scrub like me can make it through medical school, I have complete faith that the rest of you WVSOMers will do just fine as long as you put your best foot forward. In summary, work hard and you'll be fine. 😀

I'm applying to urology residencies this month so wish me luck.
Best wishes and congrats to all of you future med students!

Much love,
Richie