Elective: Research, audition or LOR

Started by ra233
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ra233

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I am interested in doing an anesthesia rotation this spring of my MS3. Which would be the best option?

1.) Audition rotation
2.) Work on a research project with an Anesthesia department. I am thinking that doing reasearch would strengthen my application as it shows greater interest in the specialty.
3.) Rotate with a group where I worked as an anesthesia technician before school. I know the docs and could get a good LOR from one of them.

I would appreciate some insight here. I am probably reading too much into this, but I am pretty worried about getting in somewhere. Thanks in advance.

Ryan
 
I'm interested in anesthesia as well. From what I understand, research is far from necessary to match. I'd probably focus on doing well on a month anesthesia elective to get LORs within your department. If you've already done that, doing an away at the program you want to match at is probably not a bad idea.

This is word of mouth from residents I've talked to in my home department.
 
I would think about research. While far from necessary, it can seriously help your application. You will have time for audition rotations and home rotations, if necessary, during your fourth year. If you could get a publication out of a project started toward the end of your third year, it would help you a lot.