How do I schedule electives around interview season

[LuckyCharms83]

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So I am getting my schedule picked out for next year. I don't plan on taking any time off for interviews, but I can probably schedule some easy elective during the peak interview months. So, can anyone tell me what months are typically the busiest for interview season? How many interviews might I expect to go to for Neurology, FP or Psychiatry residencies (not sure yet what specialty I want to go into😕). Should I reconsider not taking time off for interviews, or should I be fine scheduling a couple easies around the busiest months.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[jonb12997]

I've heard mixed feelings about this. I did a Sub-I in December so I didn't do any interviews. In November and January (these three are the biggest months), I did easier rotations that my attendings were ok with me taking off. I do know some people that took December (or a couple weeks of it) off, and they packed most of their interviews into these times. I think most attendings are ok with you taking a little bit of time off to interview. They all did it when they interviewed, and you'll do the same thing if you have med students with you in November, December, and January.

My $0.02...

 

[funshi baba]

Agree with OP. I have heard between mid Nov-Late Dec are busy for interviews, so don't do a sub-i. I plan on doing a sub-i in late oct-mid nov, and then schedule some less stressful rotation.

I have also been told to make sure the attending is fine with u taking time off for interview and don't just assume. apparently, there's has been stories about not getting permission to go for interview. just hear-say!

I'll blow that pop-sickle stand if that happened to me.😀

 

[BigRedBeta]

My advice, unless you have some other pressing reason you need to take your vacation some other time, take vacation in January to load up on interviews.

The other thing is people who are in your eventual specialty are going to be way more lenient on you leaving for interviews than those who aren't. I'm going into Peds, and was on Peds ID during December...every Monday when I came back, everyone wanted to know about the programs I'd visited and how my interview went and so on.

There certainly are attendings (though maybe not at your school), who will be reluctant to let you go, especially if your school doesn't have any official policy on absences (my school allows 4th years 5 days per month long rotation off). I ran into people on the interview trail who had this sort of problem.

Lastly, the ace up your sleeve is always "I have to take Step 2 CS". As a hard to schedule national exam that requires you to travel...works like a charm, every time. I have friends who left "to take CS" every month this year. You can use CK too, but that's a little bit harder because people actually expect you to study and be a little bit nervous for that one, plus it's local so it only gets you out of one day.

 

[funshi baba]

My advice, unless you have some other pressing reason you need to take your vacation some other time, take vacation in January to load up on interviews.

The other thing is people who are in your eventual specialty are going to be way more lenient on you leaving for interviews than those who aren't. I'm going into Peds, and was on Peds ID during December...every Monday when I came back, everyone wanted to know about the programs I'd visited and how my interview went and so on.

There certainly are attendings (though maybe not at your school), who will be reluctant to let you go, especially if your school doesn't have any official policy on absences (my school allows 4th years 5 days per month long rotation off). I ran into people on the interview trail who had this sort of problem.

Lastly, the ace up your sleeve is always "I have to take Step 2 CS". As a hard to schedule national exam that requires you to travel...works like a charm, every time. I have friends who left "to take CS" every month this year. You can use CK too, but that's a little bit harder because people actually expect you to study and be a little bit nervous for that one, plus it's local so it only gets you out of one day.

Never really thought about the Step 2 CS excuse. thanks man!

 

[Patriot77]

Never really thought about the Step 2 CS excuse. thanks man!

Might be a good idea, unless you get caught in a lie somehow; if that is a sub-i, you may have just ruined your chance to a residency there.

 

[st2205]

Any thoughts on actually setting up an away rotation and leaving to take COMLEX pe (cs equivalent)?