finding away rotations

[rboinpally]

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Hi All, Im an MS-III in the middle of clinical rotations and was wondering if there were any websites (i know there is a website that lists away rotations by region but i cant remember the name) or books out there for finding and applying to away rotations. I am just clueless about these things. Im not sure what I want to go into as of yet but Im thinking Internal or Peds. Thanks so much for any help!

 

[JJcandy]

Yes, can someone explain how do you go about applying for your elective rotations in your third and fourth year?

 

[lord_jeebus]

Decide where you want to go

Go to that school's website, look for a link for "visiting students"

If that doesn't work, call the department and ask for info

 

[Biscuit799]

Decide where you want to go

Ugh... I have no idea how to go about this and it's such a long list of places...

 

[Blade28]

Here's what you're looking for:

http://services.aamc.org/eec/students/

 

[LadyGrey]

Here's what you're looking for:

http://services.aamc.org/eec/students/

I've checked that out, and while it's a good place to start, it's pretty incomplete. (At least for NY/NJ hospitals, which is what I've looked for). There are schools that definitely take visiting students for electives that don't show up in the search. Unfortunately, the process seems to involve a lot of poking around individual school websites.

 

[Blade28]

Yeah, definitely look at each individual school's website if you're interested in a specific location/program.

 

[roja]

Go to www.scutwork.com

there are lots of med student evals on rotations for different specialties and then broken down by region

 

[Biscuit799]

Go to www.scutwork.com

there are lots of med student evals on rotations for different specialties and then broken down by region

True, but wasn't the last time that website was updated somewhere around 2001?

 

[WindyCity7]

You can also check out:

Clinical Rotation Finder Application

It is not complete yet, but allows you to add or correct the rotation information...

All states but the west coast are done as of right now...we're adding more each week.

 

[pincheeric]

I assume they're going to continue the VSAS program which has listings for a select group of schools. Just google "VSAS students" or something. Other than what's already been listed you really just have to pick a particular program you're interested in and go to their website.

 

[Ashers]

I assume they're going to continue the VSAS program which has listings for a select group of schools. Just google "VSAS students" or something. Other than what's already been listed you really just have to pick a particular program you're interested in and go to their website.

I heard next year VSAS is going to be the main way to apply for aways. Which is annoying. I didn't like it this year.

 

[jdh71]

This is simple, but it does require one to wear their "big boy pants". Decide where you want to rotate, then call that school's deans office. You will be handed off to someone who will tell you want is required (generally documentation that you ARE a med student from the institution you claim, that you have been given malpractice insurance through your school and that it will extend to theirs, and that you are all nicely immunized and not exposed to TB), next you will need to obtain departmental approval, ie. If you want to do IM at said place, the IM people will have to give their ok. Next find out who the point of contact is for students in that department, generally a secretary, who (and be nice to the secretaries kids, these people can sink your boat almost faster than showing up to rounds drunk and grabbing a nurses boob) will tell you which attending to speak to. Email said attending about your interest and that he should be expecting papers from the SOM (you KNOW he's very busy but you would very much appreciate his attention at his earliest convenience) - also call (you wont get them, but leave a polite message).

Then when you have all the paperwork back, take it to your school to get final approval. One of the secretaries in the deans office will be able to walk you through your school's specific requirements.

Its kind of a pain really - and you have to stay on top of it everyday until final approval comes down form on-high.

 

[sanche60]

so whats the time frame? ive heard most people apply for aways by jan.(soon)? Is that when people usually start or is that near the end of the "scramble" if you will? I know theres variation depending on the different hospitals but i was hoping people could post their plans/experiences. thanks.

 

[njbmd]

Apply for away rotations as early as you can in your third year. Some places, especially the more competitive residency programs, require that you submit an application that is similar to ERAS and many would like these to be done before July of your 4th year (essentially before 4th year starts). This means getting your materials together about mid third year (or as soon as you figure out where you want to go).

As others have said, contact the places that interest you and get specific information. Also, many schools need for you to do a significant amount of paperwork on your end which can delay things for you. In short, meet and exceed every deadline.

It is best to have every away rotation done well before the end of January as this is when programs have to submit their rank lists. If you are trying to do an audition rotation, it needs to be done as early as possible. Also, keep in mind that you don't want to be traveling too much on outside residency interviews while you are doing an audition rotation. In short, you have to hold up your end of teamwork while you are away too.

I would not schedule any audition rotations at programs that you would not be fairly competitive at. In short, you don't want to burn up valuable rotation time at a place where you virtually stand no chance of matching. The ideal audition rotation is at a place where you are perhaps a little less competitive but a strong performance would sway them in your favor.

Also beware that an audition rotation can back-fire if you get on a poor team and get bad evaluations from your team members. This is why you don't want to be away too much when doing an audition rotation.

Otherwise, pick a few places where you would like to gain the experience of a rotation and get the information you need as soon a possible. Schedule your auditions early and do well. You can't audition at every place in a state/region during fourth year. Be very selective and get the most "bang" for your time investment.

 

[Pharm Life]

When you schedule away rotations, can they be AIs or only electives? Most of the schools I was looking at list electives but don't list an AI. Does that mean they don't offer AIs to visiting students, or does it mean they don't have an AI? What do their own students do then? This whole away thing kind of confuses me.

 

[PenguinHead]

For something competitive (ortho), you especially don't want to "waste" an away rotation on a program you have no chance of getting into anyway.

So, how do you determine whether or not you have a shot at a certain program (meaning it would be worth doing an away there).

Is this something you should discuss with the people in your home program? I'm just trying to figure out how to decide where to do aways...

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Is this something you should discuss with the people in your home program? I'm just trying to figure out how to decide where to do aways...

Exactly - you need to find someone (faculty mentor, your home program PD, dept. chair) who is willing to help by gauging how competitive you will be as an applicant and help you appropriately target your away rotations and overall school list.