Does it hurt me to not have (one of) my specialties of choice during 3rd year?

[Chibucks15]

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Long story short. Just got my preliminary rotation schedule for next year. Full of requireds, only selective is Cardio. Interested in it (not top choice though), have research in it, most likely know one or more of the preceptors from ongoing projects with them (so I'm thinking a great letter is possible). However, I'm interested in neurology currently as my top choice.

I may or may not have the opportunity to either switch neuro in for cardio, or bump EM to 4th year and put neuro in. However, both of these options aren't super likely as my site is known for not liking rotation switches. Will it affect me in any significant way if I don't do neuro until start of 4th year? Obviously still do aways and such toward the middle of 4th year.

I'm in the middle of the class, assuming average to slightly above for boards, and don't really want to leave the midwest so shouldn't be in the running for any super competitive places. Any advice is greatly appreciated because I'm flying blind. Thanks!

 

[samac]

How DO schools are set up I think you’ll be fine. Anyone who does a non-core specialty can’t do a rotation in their chosen specialty until like June. They still matched what they wanted.

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

I don't know about neuro so take this for what it's worth, but I do not think it will hurt you to not have a 3rd year rotation in it as long as you are fairly sure you want to pursue it for a career. If you are going back and forth, see if you can set up some shadowing with a neuro doc and try to get some in so you can be set on it and begin to tailor your application. One thing to clear up though, you want to do aways at the BEGINNING of 4th year not the middle. Audition/sub I season is traditionally july-oct/Nov. This allows you to get letters in before the eras deadline for residency application. If you don't get a rotation in third year, try to schedule a place you are less interested in for your first away to get your feet wet and save the place you're really interested in until the latter middle portion of audition season.

 

[Chibucks15]

I don't know about neuro so take this for what it's worth, but I do not think it will hurt you to not have a 3rd year rotation in it as long as you are fairly sure you want to pursue it for a career. If you are going back and forth, see if you can set up some shadowing with a neuro doc and try to get some in so you can be set on it and begin to tailor your application. One thing to clear up though, you want to do aways at the BEGINNING of 4th year not the middle. Audition/sub I season is traditionally july-oct/Nov. This allows you to get letters in before the eras deadline for residency application. If you don't get a rotation in third year, try to schedule a place you are less interested in for your first away to get your feet wet and save the place you're really interested in until the latter middle portion of audition season.

Appreciate it. I get the general gist of the next couple years but some of the specifics I’m obviously clueless on haha I’ve shadowed a 5 times and I definitely enjoyed it, but that was also in an inpatient setting with some pretty crazy cases.

I just don’t wanna be behind the 8 ball on this, especially if I’m gonna try to nail some aways at places like UW-Madison and Iowa that aren’t obsessed with the prospects of DOs

 

[Chibucks15]

How DO schools are set up I think you’ll be fine. Anyone who does a non-core specialty can’t do a rotation in their chosen specialty until like June. They still matched what they wanted.

Yeah I know a few anesthesia guys and some sub specialities that made it through but I’ve usually had more control over how I go about making sure I check all my boxes. Appreciate the reply and reassurance on it

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

Appreciate it. I get the general gist of the next couple years but some of the specifics I’m obviously clueless on haha I’ve shadowed a 5 times and I definitely enjoyed it, but that was also in an inpatient setting with some pretty crazy cases.

I just don’t wanna be behind the 8 ball on this, especially if I’m gonna try to nail some aways at places like UW-Madison and Iowa that aren’t obsessed with the prospects of DOs

No prob! Depending on how boards go you should also look into Cleveland clinic. They're generally pretty DO friendly for a lot of specialties and would allow you to stay in the Midwest, plus they get some really cool cases.

 

[hallowmann]

Appreciate it. I get the general gist of the next couple years but some of the specifics I’m obviously clueless on haha I’ve shadowed a 5 times and I definitely enjoyed it, but that was also in an inpatient setting with some pretty crazy cases.

I just don’t wanna be behind the 8 ball on this, especially if I’m gonna try to nail some aways at places like UW-Madison and Iowa that aren’t obsessed with the prospects of DOs

So this may have changed and you should look into it when you apply for VSAS, but as far as I remember, UIowa as an institution doesn't take visiting med students from non-LCME accredited schools (i.e. only takes US MD students). From what I recall, it's a university policy, and the residencies are for the most part very DO friendly, many with DO residents. If you are applying Neuro there, you should be fine without an away, but I would definitely do one at a university program and get an LOR for your app.

 

[Chibucks15]

If it isn't too much can anyone run me through a general timeline of end of third year/beginning of 4th? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to 4th year honestly besides that I will be doing aways and knocking out whatever other mandatory rotations I have.

Like if I do neuro at my home place first (or as early as possible), then go out on scheduled aways, then come back and knock out the FM and other required stuff later in 4th year would that work? I've shadowed and talked to the neuro attending who takes students and he said to do a rotation with him, I just apparently didn't get the luck of the initial draw to get it in 3rd year. Thanks!

 

[samac]

If it isn't too much can anyone run me through a general timeline of end of third year/beginning of 4th? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to 4th year honestly besides that I will be doing aways and knocking out whatever other mandatory rotations I have.

Like if I do neuro at my home place first (or as early as possible), then go out on scheduled aways, then come back and knock out the FM and other required stuff later in 4th year would that work? I've shadowed and talked to the neuro attending who takes students and he said to do a rotation with him, I just apparently didn't get the luck of the initial draw to get it in 3rd year. Thanks!

Your plan sounds great. Different people do different things, but with you wanting neuro I’d do that rotation as early as possible in an attempt to get a letter. Then fill your time with a few aways, then do the school’s required rotations.

 

[dontforgetxx]

I would just be careful, as I have heard that a few neuro programs in VSAS require a month of neuro specifically as a third year. I would look into it just to be sure!

 

[Chibucks15]

I would just be careful, as I have heard that a few neuro programs in VSAS require a month of neuro specifically as a third year. I would look into it just to be sure!

That seems pretty crazy...there’s a ton of specialities you don’t get exposure to 3rd year. Do you happen to know any specifics on programs or whatever?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Just so you get an early exposure to the field you think you like, I'd try to do neuro during third year. Like that, you either solidify your decision on pursuing it or rule it out altogether.

If your school doesn't accommodate your request, no big deal. Just do a couple neuro rotations at the beginning of 4th year, preferably inpatient. Get letters.

Neurology is not competitive, but it's not something you wake one day and you decide to pursue. You need to know what you're getting yourself into and demonstrate commitment to the field.

 

[ZezKaiEll]

As others have said, it is quite common in other fields (radiology/anesthesia maybe) to not experience your chosen field until 4th year. Traditionally, neurology is not one of those fields as it is frequently a required core on the MD side. Still, I can't see how that would matter in judging applicants. i.e. you have nothing to worry about with this.

The timeline to commit to a specialty can be difficult as you would need to apply for aways through VSAS well before the time you actually do them. Check VSAS programs for specific dates here. Your plan above to do multiple neurology rotations early in 4th year sounds just fine. Demonstrating commitment through those could be as easy as having good experiences to write about in personal statements/talk about in interviews, and of course getting LORs from neurology attendings. Ideally you have 2 neuro LORs, but obviously at least 1 is needed.

Other general neuro advice:
-Apply for VSAS aways as soon as they start taking apps. This is critical. Different programs have different start dates. May as well apply broadly here. Have your vaccinations/other required bs ready before the date.
-The time b/w July-Oct of 4th year is gold for aways. Try your hardest not to burn it on stuff like FM.
-If you think that there is a reasonable chance that you won't like neuro and decide to apply into a different specialty you may need to plan ahead for this in scheduling aways. Maybe schedule a month of your second choice specialty in that time frame I mentioned above. Only if you're undecided of course.
-When ERAS opens, apply in the first day or two. Apply broadly, especially in your own geographic area.

Also, you should give your school some feedback on how lack of elective time in your 3rd year is hurting your career decisions. They may not care, but it may help future students. I think it is ridiculous to not have a free elective in that year or at least a vacation month that you can use as one.

 

[harvey1222]

Did not have ortho rotation 3rd year, matched ortho this year. You will be fine.

 

[silkysmooth]

Didn’t have EM rotation 3rd year, matched EM. Schedule your aways strategically and you will be fine