Do I need to do a sub-I in psych/scheduling rotations?

[cptsam]

Hey guys, so the title is basically what's on my mind and I'm a little unsure about what to do. I'm interested in psych and have been reading up on away/audition rotations and have read conflicting ideas about whether or not to pursue one. Not only that, but I'm overall generally confused about how getting an away rotation works. Seems like it's through VSAS, but it also looks like it's on a first-come, first-serve basis?

If it matters at all, I have a mid-230's step and average COMLEX. Don't know what my class rank is, one poster board, and I've honored my psych rotation.

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[wellbutrin.girlfriend]

Following 🙂 I’m only a first year but I’ve been curious about this process as well, especially as it pertains to psych

 

[BobbyKoch]

Hey guys, so the title is basically what's on my mind and I'm a little unsure about what to do. I'm interested in psych and have been reading up on away/audition rotations and have read conflicting ideas about whether or not to pursue one.

the APA has a nice straightforward "roadmap" regarding applying psych:

Apply for Psychiatric Residency

View a guide to applying for psychiatric residency.

www.psychiatry.org

basically I think a psych audition serves several purposes: demonstrates interest in the field. exposes you to that specific program (so you will know more about it if you should get an interview there). exposes the program to you (can be good or bad, depending on your performance and how you gel with the residents and staff). potentially allows you to get a LOR, if it's before ERAS is due ~end of september. some programs may offer auditioners interviews automatically or be more likely to extend an interview.

Not only that, but I'm overall generally confused about how getting an away rotation works. Seems like it's through VSAS, but it also looks like it's on a first-come, first-serve basis?

all programs are different. lots are through VSLO (same as VSAS, new name). others you just email the med stud coordinator and they have you fill out a form or whatever.

If it matters at all, I have a mid-230's step and average COMLEX. Don't know what my class rank is, one poster board, and I've honored my psych rotation

 

[cptsam]

the APA has a nice straightforward "roadmap" regarding applying psych:

Apply for Psychiatric Residency

View a guide to applying for psychiatric residency.

www.psychiatry.org

basically I think a psych audition serves several purposes: demonstrates interest in the field. exposes you to that specific program (so you will know more about it if you should get an interview there). exposes the program to you (can be good or bad, depending on your performance and how you gel with the residents and staff). potentially allows you to get a LOR, if it's before ERAS is due ~end of september. some programs may offer auditioners interviews automatically or be more likely to extend an interview.


all programs are different. lots are through VSLO (same as VSAS, new name). others you just email the med stud coordinator and they have you fill out a form or whatever.

So I read through that and it's ambivalent towards whether or not you really need one. Seems to be more helpful to the student if they have a "dream program." I don't have a dream program atm and don't have a strong regional preference for residency so I feel like I could do without one?

 

[BobbyKoch]

Correct. From what I understand it’s not a requirement.

 

[deleted1100659]

Hi- im an attending psychiatrist.

While in residency I was on the recruitment committee. Candidates are judged by different domains in the program I graduated from- personality was a huge factor.

You definitely do not need a subi to match psych, however they can really make or break you. Usually it helps you more than anything, in most cases. One person did a subi at our program, fell asleep during a lecture from the PD. Obviously, didn't turn out well for him.

Knowning people helps tremendously because each person who interviews at the program (with subi you had guarantee interview at the very least) is discussed individually in recruitment meetings. If an attending likes you, he will go the mile for you often and say "i liked so and so, great attitutde, hard worker etc". If you have attendings vouching for you, that really boost your rank. Grades are only part of the equation- experiences are huge, and your personality/work ethic is also huge.

Different programs have diff requirements for subis, i would look at the program website or ask the program coordinator

 

[cptsam]

Hi- im an attending psychiatrist.

While in residency I was on the recruitment committee. Candidates are judged by different domains in the program I graduated from- personality was a huge factor.

You definitely do not need a subi to match psych, however they can really make or break you. Usually it helps you more than anything, in most cases. One person did a subi at our program, fell asleep during a lecture from the PD. Obviously, didn't turn out well for him.

Knowning people helps tremendously because each person who interviews at the program (with subi you had guarantee interview at the very least) is discussed individually in recruitment meetings. If an attending likes you, he will go the mile for you often and say "i liked so and so, great attitutde, hard worker etc". If you have attendings vouching for you, that really boost your rank. Grades are only part of the equation- experiences are huge, and your personality/work ethic is also huge.

Different programs have diff requirements for subis, i would look at the program website or ask the program coordinator

Thanks so much for responding. I am leaning towards doing at least one doing one sub I at the moment, but I'm just a little unsure about the whole "being on top of my game for a month." Would you say it's more about how a student improves/takes feedback over the course of the rotation than about their clinical knowledge?

 

[deleted898021]

I don't know... do one SUB-I but not at a prorgam you really want IF your stats are good enough for those programs on paper(like average scores for match), if they are not then crushing a SUB-I and being on top of your game for a month can help... but I have heard of people doing that but not matching thier simply due to their stats unfortunately. It still gives you a shot at the program though...

 

[deleted1100659]

Thanks so much for responding. I am leaning towards doing at least one doing one sub I at the moment, but I'm just a little unsure about the whole "being on top of my game for a month." Would you say it's more about how a student improves/takes feedback over the course of the rotation than about their clinical knowledge?

Your goal should be the person that people like, while on a sub i, and have a willingness to learn. Being teachable is half the battle, and showing initiative that you want to be there, that you want to learn, being engaged


be the guy (or girl) that people like. Be personable, and nice. The more people that like you at a program the more people will vouch for you- i never expected subi students to be amazing when I worked with them. I wanted someone that I enjoyed seeing each day, because they had a great personality and good work ethic. You can teach most med students, most things. You cant teach someone who thinks they know it all, and has a bad work ethic.

 

[djiboutiman]

On top of other reasons posted above, you may want to do one just to experience Psychiatry in a different practice setting. You might want to do an away at an academic program with psychiatry residents, if you haven’t gotten that experience already.

 

[cptsam]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone!

I guess my next question is how do I evaluate what programs I would like to attend? I've been using FREIDA and ResidencyExplorer so far, but it seems to just represent hard numbers and not really the culture of the program as a whole. Is it just through word of mouth or is there a spread sheet of some sort?

 

[BobbyKoch]

ask your school if they can put you in touch with alums who recently applied psych. ask residents on your rotations if they know anyone doing psych and they may put you in touch.