How Many Away Rotations Should I Do?

[Odradek]

Hi All,

A few questions: Does anyone know the typical number of away rotations PM&R candidates do? Do the California programs consider out-of-state students who haven't rotated through? Also, I've read in another post that students typically rotate at "reach" programs; any other guidelines in terms of how to show up on the radar screen for interviews? (i.e. Contacting programs, etc). I'm asking because I'm very enthusiastic about the field and my concern is that I might not be considered due to my low board scores despite my otherwise strong application (i.e. coming from a top U.S. med school, good 3rd year grades, excellent clinical evaluations, extended research, strong letters of recommendation).

Thanks again!
Odradek

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[axm397]

I would guess 2-3 away rotations are plenty. I don't think California programs are any different from any other programs - of course they will consider applicants who have not rotated through their program.

Away rotations can really help you or hurt you. I know I've said this in the past but I have seen students look GREAT on paper and really screw it up on rotation and others who may not have the best qualifications on paper but really impressed people during their rotation. If you know that your personality is a strength, then I would recommend doing a rotation at your top choice(s).

Some red flag behaviors I have seen:
1. Arrogance - questioning residents and attendings, asking questions just to show off what they know, making grandiose statements about how great they are, cutting off residents during rounds/clinic/etc. Walking around with arrogance and condescending attitude - trying to "put nurses/therapists/aides/unit secretaries in their place". It's a bad sign when the nicest nurse on the unit complains about a student.

2. Fake - acting one way when there are attendings around vs. when they are not. Making others look bad to make themselves look good - "Bobby, the other med student, didn't look up patient A's labwork so I went ahead and did it for him even though patient A is not my patient" kind of stuff.

3. Annoying personality - i.e. talks too much, comes on too strong, etc. Argumentative - always arguing with therapists, nurses, etc.

4. Too much financial interest at the cost of proper patient care - i.e. constantly asking attendings/residents - how much does that bill? - or trying to sell their business to residents/attendings during their rotation (supplements, websites, etc.)

5. Showing no interest - falling asleep during lecture, showing up late, leaving early without asking first, taking free food meant for lecture attendees but not even going to lecture, etc. Not making changes after being told repeatedly not to do something, etc.

Feel free to add on - but these are the ones that come to mind.

In terms of showing up on a program's "radar" - I would allow the match process to start working - i.e. wait for your application to be complete, start getting interview offers, etc. then around november when your dean's letter comes out - and you still don't have interviews from programs you are interested in - or even if you receive a rejection - you can always follow up with an email or letter expressing your interest and your willingness to take last minute openings for interviews. (interview spots open up typically in January/February).

Hope this helps.

 

[tomorrowDoc]

I'm interested in PMR, and i wanted to bump this to see if the general consensus is still around 2 to 3 as being plenty. I think axm397's advice is pretty solid, but if anyone else has other advice to add, that'd be much appreciated! Thanks.

 

[jeff6806]

I'm interested in PMR, and i wanted to bump this to see if the general consensus is still around 2 to 3 as being plenty. I think axm397's advice is pretty solid, but if anyone else has other advice to add, that'd be much appreciated! Thanks.

That's enough. I would add that places will definitely have some geographical preference in their candidates so if you live on one coast you might not get invites from certain programs at the other coast. If there's an area you want to live I would do at least one away there and get a letter from there to show you would be willing to move there. At my school the location of the away does not show up anywhere so without a letter I'm not sure places know where you went just from checking your application. Only other piece of advice is if there is somewhere you are dreaming of going, do an away there to make sure you get an invite, it will also give your application a boost during the program doing their rank list.

 

[tomorrowDoc]

That's enough. I would add that places will definitely have some geographical preference in their candidates so if you live on one coast you might not get invites from certain programs at the other coast. If there's an area you want to live I would do at least one away there and get a letter from there to show you would be willing to move there. At my school the location of the away does not show up anywhere so without a letter I'm not sure places know where you went just from checking your application. Only other piece of advice is if there is someone you are dreaming of going, do an away there to make sure you get an invite, it will also give your application a boost during the program doing their rank list.

Great advice, thanks!