How competitive are away rotations?

[DrizzyDrake]

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Hey guys,

So I am currently a second year medical student. I have average grades, no fails, no honors, just average. I go to an average medical school. I am 22, and I expect to do average on my Step 1s. Maybe a little above average, but not some ridiculously high score. I did research the summer before entering MS1 and the summer between MS1 and MS2, but didn't get published.

At my school, 4th years can do away rotations and it is something that I am very interested in. I have been in the same city now for many years and have grown tired of it. I really would like to do an away rotation in NYC or Boston or even LA. All my friends went to colleges there and I want a little taste of that life. In fact, it'd be a dream come true if I could spend most of my 4th year NOT at my medical school. But as I have mentioned, I am average in almost all respects. So will I not get into any?

 

[joeDO2]

Hey guys,

So I am currently a second year medical student. I have average grades, no fails, no honors, just average. I go to an average medical school. I am 22, and I expect to do average on my Step 1s. Maybe a little above average, but not some ridiculously high score. I did research the summer before entering MS1 and the summer between MS1 and MS2, but didn't get published.

At my school, 4th years can do away rotations and it is something that I am very interested in. I have been in the same city now for many years and have grown tired of it. I really would like to do an away rotation in NYC or Boston or even LA. All my friends went to colleges there and I want a little taste of that life. In fact, it'd be a dream come true if I could spend most of my 4th year NOT at my medical school. But as I have mentioned, I am average in almost all respects. So will I not get into any?

if you want to go away to new places and you aren't too particular about the programs, you should be able to travel; no problem. I was able to get a few aways even as a 3rd year. It might be difficult if you are looking at some of the top programs...their spots fill very quickly. I've heard of of difficulty getting spots at harvard, vandy, and some others. If you apply early though, you shouldn't have too much trouble. It may help if you let them know you are auditioning if the place really interests you.

 

[DrJMD]

It also depends which field you're looking to rotate in. If you're looking at ortho or ENT at a top institution, you may get screened out based on step scores. If you're looking at family med, psych, PM&R, etc. it shouldn't be too tough if you get VSAS taken care of early on.

 

[socrates89]

how hard is it to get one in a gen surgery speciality, I've seen most places have 1-2 spots a month for the Gen Surgery Sub-I but say something like Trauma surgery, or Critical care-surgery, is that competetive as well?

 

[DrJMD]

I'm not going into surgery, so I can't tell you specifics. Many of the rotations are first come first serve, though. A friend of mine had no problems getting aways in gen surg, and he was <215 on Step 1. Just get your stuff in early and apply to a bunch of programs, and you should be fine.

 

[JJMrK]

Typically it's not that competitive. As was mentioned, some places will screen you out based on step 1 scores or your CV, but it's usually specialty-specific, not institution-specific. The biggest hassle is doing the paperwork for the application, especially making sure your vaccination records are ready to go. A lot of places want titers of everything, so make some time to get those done some time during 3rd year.

Some schools will only let you do a certain number of weeks away, so you should look into that.

Most people don't get what they want because of some combination of: 1) competitive specialty 2) top program 3) away institution/department mandates a limited number of students 4) you are only applying to one time-frame 5) late application/home med school takes forever to upload your stuff.

Someone mentioned gsurg- typically not competitive. Recommended strategy is usually to submit a few applications for different months, see if you get accepted, and if not resubmit to other places. It may look bad if you shotgun a bunch of apps and then have to decline offers.

 

[DrJMD]

The other issue is dates. My school block schedule was a week behind most programs specified dates. Many programs won't give you much wiggle room. If that's an issue, contact the school/program ahead of time.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Many of the rotations are first come first serve, though.

+1

Apply as soon as it opens. Even at competitive programs/competitive specialties, it's often first-come, first-serve.