Elective Rotations

[postbacpremed87]

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I am trying to decide between schools. What should you be looking for in clinical rotations? I am trying to research each hospital affiliate for trauma center level, # of beds, rankings for like heart/cancer/stroke care. Anything else? I didn't think I would be in the position of choosing!!!

 

[Elevencents]

I think you're confused between core clerkships and electives. Hospital affiliation has no bearing on electives, you can do them wherever. The more electives available to you the better, IMO.

 

[postbacpremed87]

I wasn't clear. In addition to electives (I know you elect to go wherever you want to so it doesn't matter), what are some things you look for in 3rd-4th year clinical rotation sites.

Ignore my title.

 

[cliquesh]

I wasn't clear. In addition to electives (I know you elect to go wherever you want to so it doesn't matter), what are some things you look for in 3rd-4th year clinical rotation sites.

Ignore my title.

Pretty much all that you listed plus residency and fellowship opportunities. If you think you might want to do one of the surgery subspecialities, like orthopedics or ENT, I think it's benefiencal to attend a school that has an affiliated residency program in that speciality.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Why do I feel like I'm missing something? What's with all the obsession about which school has which rotation sites before you guys even start medical school? Can you enlighten me what all the worry is about? Trying to be sincere here. Rotations suck for everyone. I hated having to do them. Most of what you get is a crap shoot because you can have the "best" site and get stuck with a real jerk for an attending who makes your life miserable. I found the bigger the establishment, the worse the rotation, got stuck in the library all day with other students, never saw an attending. The smaller sites or office rotations I did a lot more hands on, had one on one with the attending all day and felt like I was learning something. Everyone has to do the same core rotations, it's going to come down to how you utilize your elective months for audition rotations at places you are looking at for residency.