IM Away Rotation at Harvard Programs

[RckntheTM]

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Long time lurker here... I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding away rotations in Medicine at any of the Harvard affiliated programs. I was considering doing a Sub-I month on the Ellison general medicine service at MGH, but was curious if anyone else might have some suggestions about other electives that might be worth doing.

Thanks, in advance, for any advice! --Rckn

 

[Rogue_Leader]

I did a month in the FICU at BIDMC. It was a good learning experience, but it didn't get me an interview there. The attending there who said he would write a LOR for me never did. Not trying to be negative, but just I'm just saying what happened.

 

[lurkerboy]

If you are doing a rotation to try and get an interview, you should have several goals. You want to get to know a hospital, you want to get to know some of the residents, and you want to make a good impression on the residents and attendings. You might also want to have some fun.

A ward sub-i is overkill; unless you need to fulfill a requirement, you will end up working very hard and still not make much of an impression. In fact, unless you think you'd ace the sub-i, you're setting yourself up to make a negative impression. I hate to say this, but most sub-I's create more work for their residents.

An ICU sub-I is a little different, because you are not expected to know or do very much, you get to follow a few patients and watch/learn procedures.

Anyhow, to get back to my original point, you will achieve most of your goals by doing an elective. Endocrine, GI, cardiology....any of the medical sub-specialities are a great way to work with the residents, attendings, and get to know a program. These rotations are also generally low-key and interesting.

If you work with a resident and you get along well - keep in touch with them. Let them know you are interested in the program. When it comes to application time, if they go to bat for you, it will go a long way towards getting you a spot.

 

[Rasengan]

Harvard and UCSF have reputations for not giving courtesy interviews to people who do aways there. So if that is your reason for doing an away, save your $. If you have other reasons, go for it.

 

[RckntheTM]

Thanks for the quick replies. My reason for wanting to go up to Boston for a rotation is as much to check out "big city life" as it is to try to get an interview at the programs. The medical school I attend is in a smallish city, so I am really interested to see how a program in a bigger city and living in a bigger city compares.

Again, thanks for the advice and if anyone else has recs about specific services that would be good, I'd love to hear it.

-TM

 

[Rasengan]

Thanks for the quick replies. My reason for wanting to go up to Boston for a rotation is as much to check out "big city life" as it is to try to get an interview at the programs. The medical school I attend is in a smallish city, so I am really interested to see how a program in a bigger city and living in a bigger city compares.

Again, thanks for the advice and if anyone else has recs about specific services that would be good, I'd love to hear it.

-TM

If that's your goal, I would suggest going to a place like Chicago where its cheaper to live for that month and the programs are good, and will at least offer a courtesy interview.

If its because you want to prove to yourself that Harvard programs are overhyped, then its totally worth it

 

[B767400ER]

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[HiddenTruth]

While I didn't do a rotation at any of the Harvard affiliates, I can tell you from first hand experience (good friends) that if you aren't qualified on paper, it's a waste of time. They won't offer you an interview just becuase you rotated there. However, that being said, if you're decent on paper (AOA and/or 220's+, and/or significant research) then it's a chance to work with a good attending, score a solid LOR, and use it to your benefit. But, for all those things to happen, it's difficult. your chances of working with an attending whose letter actually makes an impact are smaller than you think. Also, you have to see what kind of person you are. Do you think your clinical skills/knowledge/work ethic can impress people? I didn't know about mine either, but I did a rotation at one of the aforementioned places (that tends to not offer courtesty interviews) and was able to get an interview.

So, bototm line is--I think it definitely helps, but you should be a decent applicant. If you are not AOA, step 1/2 below 225, I would steer away from it. Obviously, there's no hard and fast rule. But, my friends who had these stats were not able to get interviews at those places. And, I also have friends who had 250's, AOA who did not get interviews there (they didn't do aways). I also am from a smaller school, so I think if you're a good applicant on paper, and coming from a smaller school, and THINK you can impress these guys...do a month, and work your arse off. I think it's worth it if it's truly where you would like to end up at. plus, it will be a chance to check out one of the elitist programs in the country. And, you will learn. I would recommend, like another poster said, doing a month you are comfortable with. An ICU/CCU month is always nice (despite working hard), because you aren't expected to know too much, and you will learn a lot. A ward sub-I month will expect you to know A LOT. Do a month of whatever you're gonna do at your home school so you are well prepped. Just my 0.0002c. Good luck.