MD In 4th year... Now what?

[PathNeuroIMorFM]

I just wrapped up almost all of my ERAS stuff. Letters secured, Steps complete, activities/application written, talked with my PD (also a letter writer) and they said I'm in a good spot with my extracurriculars and cramming more research wont have a significant impact on my application. All I have left is polishing my personal statement and interview prep.

I'm finishing all possible electives in my specialty of choice before ERAS goes out, and the rest was made to be as fun/chill/online as possible. I could sign up for more difficult post-ERAS electives in different specialties, but I think I'm done waking up at 5 am to pre-round and hold retractors for awhile (or forever).

I'm already a bit bored and losing knowledge by the minute. So like...what now?

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[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Enjoy life perhaps?

 

[PathNeuroIMorFM]

Enjoy life perhaps?

Never. Jk, I'm looking for new hobbies. Open to suggestions. Maybe its time to start reading books again... for fun?

 

[JBM16BYU]

When it comes to scheduling other electives, I did rotations in other specialties that were adjacent to my desired residency specialty. For example, I am PM&R, so I did rotations in Pain Medicine, Rheumatology, Neurology, Geriatrics, and Urology. Spending 2-4 weeks in each of these specialties helped me to pick out things that would be helpful in my future residency of PM&R. Other things I could have rotated in would have included Radiology, Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, or Neurosurgery; however, I would have just done the clinic aspects of the surgical specialties.

 

[Billiam95]

Did an elective on palliative medicine as a 4th year...would highly recommend if you have that opportunity. Otherwise, take as chill electives as possible IMO.

 

[PathNeuroIMorFM]

When it comes to scheduling other electives, I did rotations in other specialties that were adjacent to my desired residency specialty. For example, I am PM&R, so I did rotations in Pain Medicine, Rheumatology, Neurology, Geriatrics, and Urology. Spending 2-4 weeks in each of these specialties helped me to pick out things that would be helpful in my future residency of PM&R. Other things I could have rotated in would have included Radiology, Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, or Neurosurgery; however, I would have just done the clinic aspects of the surgical specialties.

Yeah I'm applying path so I double dipped my 4th year graduation requirements to be in a few path adjacent specialties + online courses. Heme, onc, transplant, genetics.

I could do some onc surgery that overlaps, but.... There are many reasons not to.

 

[AnonymousDoctorGuyPerson]

Never. Jk, I'm looking for new hobbies. Open to suggestions. Maybe its time to start reading books again... for fun?

Whether you're in a city or small town, there's usually some local print of interesting ongoings you could get involved in.

Some are just events, others could be the start of a new hobby