Doing 2 Week EM Audition Rotations: Good Idea?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Figaro

New Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I'm (almost) a 4th yr DO student. I'm hoping to get into an osteopathic EM residency program. I set up 1 audition rotation in Sept. I'm trying to figure out if I should do an audition rotation in Oct. I was told that Nov is a prime interview season (at least for DO programs) so it's not a good idea to schedule audition rotations past Oct.

My stats aren't exactly stellar so I'd like to maximize my chances of getting an interview (and ultimately being offered a position) by getting my face shown at as many places as possible. I was contemplating among these possibilities for Oct:

1) a 4 week EM audition rotation
2) two 2 week EM audition rotations at 2 different hospitals (this is what I am thinking of doing)
3) a 4 week long non-EM rotation at a hospital that has an EM residency that I am interested & visit the ER on weekends/after hours
4) two 2 week long non-EM rotations at 2 different hospitals that have EM residency programs that I am interested & visit the ER on weekends/after hours
5) none of the above

Which would be the best option?
 
dude if you wanna get a steller lor, which is MAD crucial i would suggest #1, hell i highly suggest #1. (this is from my experience with res. directors at panels)

I don't know of any residency programs that allow #2, but i'm an IMG so their a lil pickier with me, but your not gonna get a good LOR outta that really.

#3 down are pretty much diggin.

as a fellow dude goin into the 2011 match, i wish ye luck buddy
 
1) a 4 week EM audition rotation
2) two 2 week EM audition rotations at 2 different hospitals (this is what I am thinking of doing)
3) a 4 week long non-EM rotation at a hospital that has an EM residency that I am interested & visit the ER on weekends/after hours
4) two 2 week long non-EM rotations at 2 different hospitals that have EM residency programs that I am interested & visit the ER on weekends/after hours
5) none of the above

Which would be the best option?

A 2 week rotation is plenty of time for you to decide if you like the program or not.

A 2 week rotation is not long enough for the program to decide if they like you.

Do a 4 week rotation. Especially if you hope to get a LOR/SLOR from it.
 
Thanks guys for the input. I asked about the possibility of doing 2 week EM rotations at various places and most of them said it was fine.

dude if you wanna get a steller lor, which is MAD crucial i would suggest #1, hell i highly suggest #1. (this is from my experience with res. directors at panels)
Well I already have one EM LOR from an EM rotation at my home hospital last month and I am doing another 4 week EM audition rotation in Sept, where I hope to get another EM LOR. I was asking about Oct after that month. I am not trying to get LORs from these 2 week rotations. Besides, isn't it too late to try to get a LOR/SLOR in Oct?

A 2 week rotation is not long enough for the program to decide if they like you.
Yeah but I am just trying to get myself seen and get my foot in the door, so to speak. I read here on SDN that if you can't do an audition rotation, you should do a different rotation at the same hospital and try to spend some time w/ the program that you are interested (option 3/4 from my OP). I think spending 2 weeks rather than doing a shift here and there gives you more exposure. Am I wrong?
 
Thanks guys for the input. I asked about the possibility of doing 2 week EM rotations at various places and most of them said it was fine.


Well I already have one EM LOR from an EM rotation at my home hospital last month and I am doing another 4 week EM audition rotation in Sept, where I hope to get another EM LOR. I was asking about Oct after that month. I am not trying to get LORs from these 2 week rotations. Besides, isn't it too late to try to get a LOR/SLOR in Oct?


Yeah but I am just trying to get myself seen and get my foot in the door, so to speak. I read here on SDN that if you can't do an audition rotation, you should do a different rotation at the same hospital and try to spend some time w/ the program that you are interested (option 3/4 from my OP). I think spending 2 weeks rather than doing a shift here and there gives you more exposure. Am I wrong?

Last year when doing all this, I also knew I did not have stellar scores. I did all 4 week rotations and heard from the PDs they preferred this (2 weeks is barely long enough for you to even work with the PD for more than a shift or 2 and they won't remember you as well). Remember they have many students rotating through and if you spend more time there, they are more likely to remember who you are.

I rotated in EDs through December (December was my last EM rotation). This worked out well for me. They still offered interviews that late. If I were in another state, they often allowed me to do an individual interview at the locations where I rotated so I didn't have to travel as much. You will find most locations have very limited interview dates (as in most had two dates). They will work with you if you call them and especially if they know you already.

If you are applying only DO, you will not need a SLOR, just a LOR. Get one from the PD if you can. They all seem to know each other quite well. Also remember that just because you ask for a letter once doesn't mean it will come through. Some will forget and some just aren't as good as following through as others when it comes to letter writing. I ended up with only one EM LOR and things worked out well for me. Ask at all locations, no matter how late in the year (if anything to have extra LORs for anything else that may come up).
 
Top