general away rotation questions

[giguerex35]

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DO student looking to match ortho and am starting to apply for away rotations but had a few questions i was hoping to get answered. What is considered too late to do an away rotation? I am limited to 4 aways by my school so I currently have them planned from august and the last one ending in november right before thanksgiving. all at former AOA locations. I am unsure of the timelime of when rank lists are made, and when doing an away becomes a wast because a program already has who they want lined up, so any info on when to do aways and when is considered late would be appreciated.

I also hear alot about people asking for letters of rec while on an away rotation. Is this suggested to do because it seems like most of the time you are with many attendings and it would be hard for one to get to know you well enough to write a good letter. And if you did get a letter wouldn't it look weird when you apply to other programs that you have a LOR from an attending at another program?

Also, any other tips to do well on an away are appreciated. I understand to do all the little things like get there early and stay late, be polite to everyone, dont be weird etc. but anything that is not obvious would be appreciated as well.

Current stats if needed
step 1 - 243-246
level 1 - 613-618
1 ortho LOR
3 abstracts (1 ortho, 1 surgery, 1 medicine)
2 posters (on same topic as abstracts) (1 ortho, 1 surgery)
2 pubs pending (on same topic as abstracts)

 

[Peaches44]

Following since I’m wondering the same. I’ve heard former AOA aways aren’t super competitive but still worried about it.

 

[dj-Roomba]

This year ranks lists are due 3/2. Some programs are still having students audition this late in the season. I think your timeline for when you are doing auditions is fine. If you want you can PM me your auditions and I will let you know if I have rotated at any of them.

I got two LOR from auditions. Both were program directors. I had worked with one of them for close to two weeks during the rotation so he wrote the letter based on the time spent together as well as from input the residents gave him.

Work hard. Prepare for cases. Be proactive. Practice reading xrays. Get Handbook of Fractures, Netter's Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy, Pocket Pimped. Always have your trauma shears