Did you do a sub-i?

[Cholinergic]

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I read in FA for the match that Ob is a specialty to do a sub-i in. So I'm planning to put in a few applications at "reach" programs to hopefully get a letter and an interview at.

If you did a sub-i, was it worth it? What did you do it in? I was told by a fellow to do it in the department that the residency director specializes in but that seems like an awful lot of pressure More specifically, did anyone do urogyn?

 

[MDLove]

I am probably the biggest advocate of visiting rotations out there. I did several all at the very top of the reach programs, and I got interviews at all of them (I only got a letter at the first one because the others were after I finished my application). These are interviews that I am fairly certain I would not have gotten with my application alone. The letter isn't completely necessary, but it can definitely help at the program you got it from, and if the person is very well known, it may help other places.

I don't particularly believe it matters what rotation you do, but do one that you know you like and that you're good at. It may be helpful to do something that you know you'll be an asset to the residents by helping them get a lot of work done. Because if you can help them, then they'll really appreciate you and be an advocate for you.

I loved all of my away rotations. You get to live in a different great city for a month, meet lots of new people (some of the top people in the field), and you get to see a wide variety of different therapeutic practices.

There are a few catches to visiting rotations.
1. They are very expensive. You often have to find your own housing in large expensive cities for only a one month term. If you don't sublet your own place, you'll be paying double rent. Unless you go somewhere where you have family or friends you can live with easily.
2. They can be very time consuming if you do multiple away rotations. Many schedules of outside programs will not match up with your home institution, so this may leave holes in your schedule on either end of your rotation. Depending on how flexible your 4th year schedule can be, this may be a problem for you.
3. You may want to rethink doing a visiting rotation if you are not exceptional clinically. If you know you are a very strong clinical student and plan to work more than you ever had before then it will definitely pay off. If you are just good or mediocre or even socially awkward, I would think twice because it may hurt you cause the program will see that you may not fit in with their program. Think of it as a month long interview both ways. You're looking at their program to see if you can fit in, and more importantly, they're looking at you to see if you can cut it and if you fit in with the residents. Socialize, use the time to ask questions about the program, and try to work closely with one or two faculty members.

As long as you work your butt off for an entire month, be the best medical student they've every seen, and really take initiative and ownership of your patients, it will definitely pay off.

If you have any more questions, or want to know more detail about where I went then feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

 

[MDLove]

One last thing... My other piece of advice would be to schedule a meeting with the program director or chair towards the end of your rotation.

 

[Cholinergic]

I am probably the biggest advocate of visiting rotations out there. I did several all at the very top of the reach programs, and I got interviews at all of them this is my strategy. There are maybe 2 or 3 programs that I'm really interested in and I will try to do a rotation at at least one of them if I can afford to.(I only got a letter at the first one because the others were after I finished my application). These are interviews that I am fairly certain I would not have gotten with my application alone. The letter isn't completely necessary, but it can definitely help at the program you got it from, and if the person is very well known, it may help other places.

I don't particularly believe it matters what rotation you do, but do one that you know you like and that you're good at. It may be helpful to do something that you know you'll be an asset to the residents by helping them get a lot of work done. Because if you can help them, then they'll really appreciate you and be an advocate for you. On my surgery rotation, a 4th year was applying to their program and his interview was at the end of his rotation and I know they gave him hints and tips and did a mock interview with him.

I loved all of my away rotations. You get to live in a different great city for a month, meet lots of new people (some of the top people in the field), and you get to see a wide variety of different therapeutic practices.

There are a few catches to visiting rotations.
1. They are very expensive. You often have to find your own housing in large expensive cities for only a one month term. If you don't sublet your own place, you'll be paying double rent. Unless you go somewhere where you have family or friends you can live with easily. This will be my biggest issue.
2. They can be very time consuming if you do multiple away rotations. Many schedules of outside programs will not match up with your home institution, so this may leave holes in your schedule on either end of your rotation. Depending on how flexible your 4th year schedule can be, this may be a problem for you.
3. You may want to rethink doing a visiting rotation if you are not exceptional clinically. If you know you are a very strong clinical student and plan to work more than you ever had before then it will definitely pay off. If you are just good or mediocre or even socially awkward, I would think twice because it may hurt you cause the program will see that you may not fit in with their program. Think of it as a month long interview both ways. You're looking at their program to see if you can fit in, and more importantly, they're looking at you to see if you can cut it and if you fit in with the residents. Socialize, use the time to ask questions about the program, and try to work closely with one or two faculty members.

As long as you work your butt off for an entire month, be the best medical student they've every seen, and really take initiative and ownership of your patients, it will definitely pay off.

If you have any more questions, or want to know more detail about where I went then feel free to PM me. You've got mail!

Good luck!

Thanks.

 

[Global Disrobal]

For my sub-i, I asked for 2 weeks on MFM and 2 weeks on ONC. They gave me an invite at the end. You may want to split it to get a better glance at the program with respect to L&D, clinic, surgeries...

Good luck!

 

[boyob]

As above---------subi can help or hurt you. If it is super competitive then you should do one at the program you are looking at. You may get an interview for that reason alone. However, many subi's come and don't do so well and that can kill you at a program.....When you go be on your A game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!