Help with externships

[t21]

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I'm graduating next year and I'll probably have one month off between the end of clinic and graduation day. I'll be spending that month doing OMFS externships. I was hoping for advice regarding two matters.

1) Should I do 3 x 1 week externships or should I do 2 x 2 week externships?

2) I was thinking of doing 1 at parkland and another one at either LSU-NO or LSU Shreveport. Which is the "better" externship between the two latter? What are the major differences between the two?

thank you!

 

[servitup]

Do 2 two-weekers. One week is really not enough.

 

[rals]

I would agree with servitup except if you are thinking you might want to go to any of the three programs. If both of the latter ones are affiliated and nearby, maybe you could do 2-3 weeks between them?

good luck!

 

[t21]

Thanks guys! Anybody else have any input? Anybody wanna share their experiences at either NO or Shreveport?

 

[southomfs]

I've heard LSU NO is good. I did Shreveport. It was an awesome externship experience. Good number of teeth, busy ED, and busy ORs. Residents were good group. Make sure it's a trauma month. When I was there they were trauma every other month. My two week slot was last week of trauma month and first week of non-trauma month.

 

[t21]

I was on the LSU-NO page for externships and it states that I need a rec letter from the head of the OMFS department at my school. Unfortunately the one at my school isn't the greatest guy around... A 4th year who recently graduated told me he refused to write one to anybody who asked him for one... (Another 4th year just confirmed it to me as well) Also, surgery exposure at my school isn't great, we only get a 3 week rotation during our 4th year, so he probably wouldn't have much to say about me since he doesn't really know any of us...

Does anybody know if LSU-NO would still consider my application for a externship even without the rec letter?

 

[SC-Z]

I was on the LSU-NO page for externships and it states that I need a rec letter from the head of the OMFS department at my school. Unfortunately the one at my school isn't the greatest guy around... A 4th year who recently graduated told me he refused to write one to anybody who asked him for one... Also, surgery exposure at my school isn't great, we only get a 3 week rotation during our 4th year, so he probably doesn't have much to say about me since he doesn't really know any of us...

Does anybody know if LSU-NO would still consider my application for a externship even without the rec letter?

I would recommend externing at LSU-NO if you get the opportunity. As for the LOR from your program's department head, I'm not 100% certain, but I think it might be sufficient to get a rec from any OMFS faculty that can validate for you. It might be a good idea to contact the program's residency coordinator.

 

[WhiteBrickRoad]

I would lean towards doing more externships (even if it means less time at each one). This will give you a chance to see different OMFS programs and help broaden your connections.

Also, during interviews the program directors and faculty always asked HOW MANY externships I did. The amount of time spent at an externship was never addressed.

 

[t21]

Interesting, thanks for the input! I think I'll try to do 2 weeks at Parkland then 1 week each at LSU-NO & Shreveport.

If I have time, I'll try to do at week or two at Emory. I've read that you rotate at 3 different hospitals for that externship, and that each are relatively far from one another. Can anybody tell me if I can get around to all three without a car? (If I'm not mistaken, you need to be 25 to rent a car? I'll only be 24...)