general electives question

[kafa11]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just a quick question...

I am weighing the pros and cons of taking an elective rotation at local community hospital versus a more prestigious but distantly located program. The known pros are face time, scoping out a program, better didactics, and possibly acquiring a noteworthy LOR. Cons are distance, money, and sacrificing face time at potential safety programs.

There is one question that I have not been able to answer adequately. Does anyone have an impression of how much weight is put on the name recognition and caliber of an elective site? Does where you do your electives in 3rd and 4th year have any bearing on the perceived quality of your application to residencies?

Thanks all

 

[Rollo]

To answer your question, I'd say it probably matters indirectly in that it if you are able to obtain a QUALITY LOR from a well-known attending at the big place.

Note I said quality. A generic LOR is worthless, and quite frankly I'd rather get a quality LOR from a small time community doc than a generic LOR from a well-known attending.