How many Rad Rotations?

[OHMAN0125]

Currently I'm going to have 2 rotations in Radiology. One 2 wk in 3rd year and another 4wk in 4th yr. I was going to try to do an away, but the places I want to go either are filled or don't match my schedule. Should I do an away somewhere I dont really want to spend 4 wks? Will it hurt me to not have an away rotation? Is 6wks of radiology good enough at my home institution?
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[hans19]

You only need to do ONE rads rotation, preferably the one at your institution.

If you do any aways at all, its should be to help you determine whether you will like a particular program. Rarely you may really get along with a lot of important people during your rotation and it can help you, or if you are really obnoxious it will hurt you, but for the majority of applicants doing an away at a place won't make a shred of difference in their application.

If its not a program that you really want to be at, I wouldn't waste your time. As long as your numbers look good, you'll be fine.

-Hans

 

[OHMAN0125]

You only need to do ONE rads rotation, preferably the one at your institution.

If you do any aways at all, its should be to help you determine whether you will like a particular program. Rarely you may really get along with a lot of important people during your rotation and it can help you, or if you are really obnoxious it will hurt you, but for the majority of applicants doing an away at a place won't make a shred of difference in their application.

If its not a program that you really want to be at, I wouldn't waste your time. As long as your numbers look good, you'll be fine.

-Hans

As always, thank you Hans.

 

[futrorthodr]

Hans always comes with the quick and helpful answers!

In your opinion what would you consider as good numbers?

How much does a lack of extensive EC's hurt your app?

 

[fun8stuff]

Hans always comes with the quick and helpful answers!

In your opinion what would you consider as good numbers?

How much does a lack of extensive EC's hurt your app?

Can you do too many diagnostic rads rotations? I did 1month at my home program during third year and would like to do 2 more months during 4th year at other programs in the area (that are associated with my school, so not considered aways). I would like to see these programs for the same reasons you mentioned; These places are high on my list and I would like to spend 1 month at each place before I commit to spending 5+ years there.

 

[hans19]

Can you do too many diagnostic rads rotations? I did 1month at my home program during third year and would like to do 2 more months during 4th year at other programs in the area (that are associated with my school, so not considered aways). I would like to see these programs for the same reasons you mentioned; These places are high on my list and I would like to spend 1 month at each place before I commit to spending 5+ years there.

If you have the time and the money for transportation and a month of rent, there is no harm in doing more rotations. Just realize that they probably won't help you either.

IE you want to do an away at UCSF or MGH to see if those programs really are what they are cracked up to be and if the high cost of living will be worth it for 5 years for instance-- in that case, absolutely!

 

[hans19]

How much does a lack of extensive EC's hurt your app?

People realize that most of you folks were busy studying hard and getting good grades.
If you are an accomplished musician, if you do mission trips in your spare time, if you were an ex-olympic athlete - that will definitely make for interesting conversation during the interview and will make you seem like an interesting person to work with for 5 years. Its helpful, but not necessary for a good match.

In your opinion what would you consider as good numbers?

You have nothing to worry about

 

[Pterion]

You only need to do ONE rads rotation, preferably the one at your institution.

If you do any aways at all, its should be to help you determine whether you will like a particular program. Rarely you may really get along with a lot of important people during your rotation and it can help you, or if you are really obnoxious it will hurt you, but for the majority of applicants doing an away at a place won't make a shred of difference in their application.

If its not a program that you really want to be at, I wouldn't waste your time. As long as your numbers look good, you'll be fine.

-Hans

This is certainly what my program director at my home institution said to me. This was repeated during the interview trail. Hans' point about the cost is nothing to sneeze at, either. I considered an away but simply couldn't afford the travel/housing/meals for that month. I still did great in the match with only one month of rads and 0 aways.

 

[futrorthodr]

great info. I was considering doing two or three aways and now i think i will just do an away at another institution in the same city and then possibly one in another part of the country. Save some of that money for interviews etc.

I guess just i'm just a little insecure about my lack of any significant EC's except for occasional volunteer activites and sitting on a rare committee as my possible pitfall when match comes around.

 

[fun8stuff]

This is certainly what my program director at my home institution said to me. This was repeated during the interview trail. Hans' point about the cost is nothing to sneeze at, either. I considered an away but simply couldn't afford the travel/housing/meals for that month. I still did great in the match with only one month of rads and 0 aways.

there are at least 5 rad programs within 30-40 mins drive from where i live that i could rotate through without them being considered away rotations by my school. i realize 4th year is one of my last times to learn clinical medicine and that i should take advantage of this (according to my advisor), but i would also like to check out a couple of these programs since there is a good chance i will stay in this area for residency. I just wasn't sure if programs would frown on this since i had heard the advice from a rad attending to do as much clinical medicine as possible...