Do I need to do audition electives in anesthesia as a DO?

[medstudent44]

Hi, I am a soon-to-be 4th year medical student at a DO school and plan to apply to anesthesiology residencies through the MD/ACGME match and I am wondering whether I need to do multiple away/audition electives in anesthesia to increase my chance of acceptance. I have read previous threads on the topic but I felt that the comments were geared more toward MD applicants. Also, I have received mixed opinions from faculty at our school about what I should do. Yesterday I met with the Dean to discuss my Dean's letter materials and he is adamant that I do 3-4 anesthesia electives at potential residency sites. Currently I have just one audition scheduled from which I hope to get a good LOR.

I have a 253 on Step 1, good pre-clinical and clinical grades. I have taken Step 2, no score yet. Any advice on the topic will be very appreciated. Basically, I just want to know if I have anything to gain from doing additional auditions, if not, I do not feel that it is worth the expense and extra time away from family.

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[Arch Guillotti]

YES!

Do at least one/maybe 2 and get some decent letters.

I don't necessarily think it would be a deal breaker without letters from an academic anesthesiologist (esp w/a Step 1 in the 250's), but it will help.

 

[bigDinLV]

Even though you have good scores and are likely to match, it can't hurt you to do audition rotations.

I guess if you have some personality flaw that makes you a better applicant on paper than in person, rotations could hurt you. We had a guy rotate through that had about the best board scores of anyone that applied that year, everyone thought he was annoying though. He didn't get an interview.

 

[urge]

No, just go to a DO residency.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

No, just go to a DO residency.

 

[medstudent44]

Thanks for the comments! I can definitely see the value in doing auditions in terms of getting good letters. I have one audition scheduled so I'll plan on adding one, maybe 2 additional.

I just hope I am not too late to get into them in time for a letter. Any suggestions on great DO friendly programs. I'll check some of the other threads and see if there is any info on that topic. Thanks again.