Importance of Away Rotations

[superbobx2]

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Hey everybody, I have a question about away rotations due to a situation I'm in. I may not have time to do an official away rotation unless I really go out of my way due to my current research program/lab, but may have the opportunity to spend some "unofficial" time at some other institutions. How important is it to have the away electives (and of course the resultant grades on them) show up on the transcript versus just "face time?" I'm also worried because in case I don't get in this year, I won't have any away rotations to show on my transcript down the line as well... do other schools look at that as important?

 

[sore eye asses]

Having derm aways on my app did not seem to play a role during interview season (my clerkship grades were not mentioned once, and i honored both). I think face time is key for aways, and also for securing research opportunities and LOR (if you need them, which I did). However, if you've made a splash in other areas then an away is not as important.

I think if you have a strong app otherwise, you can get away without doing aways, so long as you have some ties in your own derm dept and maybe a few pubs (even if they're case studies).

 

[starbuckscoffee]

I didn't do any aways, and it worked out fine. I did do a derm rotation and a derm specialty rotation at my home program though, and I also spent quite a few months doing derm research at my home program. I agree that as long as you can get good LORs and make good connections at your home program, you'll be fine.