Do you have to be selective about applying for aways?

[DeadCactus]

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Probably a dumb question, but do you just apply for 3-5 you're interested in and cancel the others after you've decided which one you want to do?

 

[b-real]

Probably a dumb question, but do you just apply for 3-5 you're interested in and cancel the others after you've decided which one you want to do?

Pretty much. In general, most aways are on a first-come, first-served basis, so get your app in early and you won't have difficulty securing one.

 

[umz]

Yes and no. Like b-real said, they are mostly first come first served, so a desirable location can fill fast. But they generally aren't as competitive as far as numbers. In fact, they seemed to not even care about that from my limited experience. I applied to maybe 7, trying to get 2. Got a few rejections before the 2 acceptances and had to cancel my app on 1 or 2 places I hadn't heard back from. Don't forget to cancel, because turning down a spot at somewhere you want to apply can cost you an interview (so I've heard, but I wouldn't take a chance).

 

[b-real]

Yes and no. Like b-real said, they are mostly first come first served, so a desirable location can fill fast. But they generally aren't as competitive as far as numbers. In fact, they seemed to not even care about that from my limited experience. I applied to maybe 7, trying to get 2. Got a few rejections before the 2 acceptances and had to cancel my app on 1 or 2 places I hadn't heard back from. Don't forget to cancel, because turning down a spot at somewhere you want to apply can cost you an interview (so I've heard, but I wouldn't take a chance).

That's interesting, b/c now that you mention it, I did not get an invite to a place that I turned down for an away. May be coincidence, but I hadn't thought about that before. Good advice to future applicants.

 

[umz]

Same here. Got 2 acceptances at the same time, turned down one. There's no way to know, but it may have factored into their decision.

 

[Thoracotomy]

From my experience you hear back very quickly if you get accepted. So if you can handle waiting a day or two, just wait for several days until you hear a response. An email to the coordinator doesn't hurt either, even if you have to go through VSAS.

I applied to 4, got all 4 but felt guilty turning 2 down. Luckily I got interviews at both those places as I had legitimate reasons on why I had to decline my offer to rotate. They seemed to understand my legitimate reasons (which ended up being timing), and the coordinators were thankful for letting them know right away. In the end I didn't see any ill affects from saying no thanks!

 

[MD13]

So then does it make sense to apply sequentially (can you even do that?).. ie apply to your first choice and if you don't get it, apply for your second choice, etc..

seems kind of outrageous that programs would look down on you for turning down aways... unless you CAN apply sequentially..

(also what is the latest you can apply for aways?)

 

[b-real]

To clarify, I wasn't referencing programs that I ended up declining their acceptance, but rather a particular program that I initially accepted until I got an acceptance to a more preferred program. I ended up canceling the rotation with the less preferred program to go to my more preferred program.

 

[MD13]

Oh i see--- so it's not a problem to apply to 5 and then turn down 4 if all 5 offer you a spot? Or is that also a concern?

What is the turnaround time? Do some programs accept you quickly and demand an answer before you hear back from other programs?

Lastly - anyone know the answer to my 'applying sequentially' question? Seems like that would solve everything as long as programs offer spots quickly enough..

 

[Dane07MD]

The system sucks. It's generally first come first served. No sequential stuff. Just apply to the places you want to go, and if you are fortunate to receive multiple offers, then email them back politely declining the offer with a valid explanation why. Waiting for one rejection to apply to another just increases the likelihood the next one will be full too. There is no deadline for applying, except there is a theoretical window in which your chances rapidly decline. As many programs have already opened, many months are already full at specific institutions. Best to call or email coordinators to determine if spots still exist. I called 5-6 programs last year when I was looking for a second away and found that only a couple still had spots.

 

[Mudpile MD]

I also did not receive an interview from the program I declined an interview at. And I or interviews at almost every place I applied. I would be very hesitant to apply to 5-7 aways because you risk damaging your chances at getting interviews from multiple programs...

 

[b-real]

I also did not receive an interview from the program I declined an interview at. And I or interviews at almost every place I applied. I would be very hesitant to apply to 5-7 aways because you risk damaging your chances at getting interviews from multiple programs...

To counter, I received invites to all the places that I declined their rotation offer, except for the one that I initially accepted and backed out of. I think you're ok if you decline offers off the bat, rather than initially accepting.

 

[Dane07MD]

You will find people on both sides of the coin in this forum with regard to theoretically losing an interview offer because they canceled or declined an away rotation.

The clerkship director at my program says that people who cancel their aways after accepting certainly are not ignored and a note is made, but it's not a guaranteed blacklisting.