How do finding sites for 3rd year rotations work?

[jryu737]

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I'm an Illinois resident so if I only get into a school out of state, then I'll be out of state only for the first 2 years (pre-clinical) right? But the last 2 years are done at hospitals, correct? My question is how difficult is it to find a clinical rotation site in your home state?

Is this dependent on the school and if so, where can I find a list of schools with rotation sites in Illinois (or anywhere else).

Any help appreciated.

 

[Superman DO]

Dependent on the school and the affiliation agreements they have with hospitals. Some schools share rotation sites. KCOM has a few rotation sites in Illinois (I'm actually at one) that are not very competitive during our rotation site selection mini match.

 

[Elevencents]

If you want to return 3rd year you need to find the schools that have core sites in Illinois. CCOM and AZCOM have sites there, but that's all I know off the top of my head.

You have to check each schools site for their clerkships.

 

[jryu737]

Is this just for core rotations where the school has to have affiliations in Illinois? What about electives?

 

[Elevencents]

Electives you can go wherever.

 

[Superman DO]

I can do all of my rotations in Illinois at my site, both core and elective alike. However, during fourth year, kcom allows you to do electives anywhere as long as an affiliation agreement is or can be written up with the site.

 

[aspiring20]

are you guys saying that DO students must find rotation sites on their own? the school doesn't guarantee rotation sites for its students?

 

[cliquesh]

Core rotations are set up by your school. You have to schedule your own electives. That's how MD schools work, too.

 

[darklabel]

Core rotations are set up by your school. You have to schedule your own electives. That's how MD schools work, too.

So when you were doing electives and looking for electives thats interested you, did you just cold call hospitals that had residencies that you would like to join?

Like would I just call up UMass and ask if I could rotate there during my 4th year elective in surgery?

 

[cliquesh]

So when you were doing electives and looking for electives thats interested you, did you just cold call hospitals that had residencies that you would like to join?

Like would I just call up UMass and ask if I could rotate there during my 4th year elective in surgery?

Yea, more or less. You usually have to fill out an application and possibly pay an application fee. Just because you apply doesn't mean you'll get the rotation spot.

Some places use a system called visiting student application service ( vsas). It's basically a national application service. It was recently opened up to osteopathic students. Not all hospitals accept DO students, but most do. I used VSAS when setting up 2 of my electives. https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/vsas/

This applies for 4th year electives. No hospital will take outside 3rd year students. You have to do your 3rd year electives at hospitals affiliated with your school or in a private office.

 

[Superman DO]

You may still do electives at your core rotation site if you so choose. It is not like you are forced to search out new hospitals. But, electives rotations at different hospitals are good for sub-is and specialties that may not be at your base hospital.

 

[jryu737]

Would I be correct in saying that the majority of 4th year is electives (and I can do these anywhere even if my school has no affiliation with an illinois hospital)?

And third year is pretty much all core rotations which have to be done through an affiliated hospital?

 

[cliquesh]

Would I be correct in saying that the majority of 4th year is electives (and I can do these anywhere even if my school has no affiliation with an illinois hospital)?

And third year is pretty much all core rotations which have to be done through an affiliated hospital?

The number of electives varies from school to school. Some schools have a lot and some have just a few. I had 6 electives and 6 required rotations my 4th year.

Yea, you can do your electives anywhere. Doesn't matter which state or, even, country.

Yes, your 3rd and 4th year core rotations have to be from your school's affliated hospital list.