Is November too late to do a surgery elective?

[VCorp]

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Especially if I'm applying for residency this year? I'm trying to find a spot for October, but can't seem to find anything. I really want to do something at Mt. Sinai in NY, but having difficulty with finding something for October, whereas November is available.

I wanted to do an elective there to get a solid LOR from the program. At the moment, I have a LOR from a community hospital Neurosurgeon and Anesthesiologist. Also have a LOR from a Urologist, but it's very vague and simplistic.

Any help regarding this matter would be greatly appreciated it.

Edit: The reason I asked this is because most of the deadlines for application are October 31st, November 31, or even December 31st. Finishing in November, and trying to get a LOR might seem difficult to do. Followed by uploading it onto ERAS might be a challenge.

 

[doc05]

what specialty are you applying for?

 

[VCorp]

what specialty are you applying for?

Gen surgery. I wonder what @Winged Scapula thinks about this as well.

 

[doc05]

two points..

1. yes, November is late, but it doesn't mean you won't get good experience. It will be too late to get any useful letters of recommendation.
2. I am more concerned that you don't have a single letter of reference from a general surgeon. what's the deal?

 

[VCorp]

two points..

1. yes, November is late, but it doesn't mean you won't get good experience. It will be too late to get any useful letters of recommendation.
2. I am more concerned that you don't have a single letter of reference from a general surgeon. what's the deal?

I ended up with a B in core clerkship. The program head wasn't willing to give any student that didn't receive an A, a letter. Only six students received an A in the overall clerkship.

Shortly after finishing, I didn't pass an exam, so the school made me sit out for six months, to retake it. I'm starting up my electives again. It's extremely unfortunate. I was supposed to finish med school at the end of August, and now it'll be in February 2016. I had all my electives which I wanted to do planned out. I feel as if, I shot myself in the foot by not passing that exam, and now my future is in complete jeopardy. I was hoping to have great LORs from some great places that I had planned on doing my electives. I'm starting my second elective up in September. 🙁

Btw, thanks again for the response. 🙂

 

[VCorp]

Imo not to be a dick but not having a single LOR from a general surgeon is a huge problem.

I'd suggest waiting until next year to apply and using those months from now-February to do more surgical rotations. Sounds like you need time to get all your ducks in a row anyways, and you want to maximize your odds since you have a couple of red flags. See if you can latch onto a research position since you are off cycle.

You need 3-4 LORs from general surgeons and/or sub specialists of general surgery (e.g. vascular). One letter from a surgeon such as neuro or uro would probably be fine but not ideal. Many programs also request/require a chairmans' letter.

My anxiety level just went through the roof reading this post.

 

[doc05]

My anxiety level just went through the roof reading this post.

I don't want to increase your anxiety any more, but I have to agree with the above recommendations.

A one-year delay isn't terrible, after all you have a long road ahead anyway.

also - what school graduates students in August?? are you an IMG doing US rotations?? this will have an impact on your chances anywhere.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Gen surgery. I wonder what @Winged Scapula thinks about this as well.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be very supportive at this point either.

1) yes November is too late for any rotation in which you're hoping for an LOR; so is October

2) Are you applying ONLY to GS, or using it as a backup for Nsgy? Regardless, a GS application without any GS letters is a huge red flag. As others have noted, the expectation is that all of your required letters will be from GS and/or GS subspecialties. Applying without any is a mistake that at best will be seen as you using GS as a backup; the worst is that you will not be seen as viable candidate, one who couldn't GET a GS letter.

Your best application is the first one; don't apply until you're ready.

 

[VCorp]

I don't want to increase your anxiety any more, but I have to agree with the above recommendations.

A one-year delay isn't terrible, after all you have a long road ahead anyway.

also - what school graduates students in August?? are you an IMG doing US rotations?? this will have an impact on your chances anywhere.

Yup, I'm an IMG. Thanks for your input. I greatly appreciate it. Unfortunately, my parents don't see it that way for a one year delay. I turn 30 next month, and with our cultural background, still not having my career set is extremely shameful.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be very supportive at this point either.

1) yes November is too late for any rotation in which you're hoping for an LOR; so is October

2) Are you applying ONLY to GS, or using it as a backup for Nsgy? Regardless, a GS application without any GS letters is a huge red flag. As others have noted, the expectation is that all of your required letters will be from GS and/or GS subspecialties. Applying without any is a mistake that at best will be seen as you using GS as a backup; the worst is that you will not be seen as viable candidate, one who couldn't GET a GS letter.

Your best application is the first one; don't apply until you're ready.

I understand. Thank you for your informative post.

 

[doc05]

Yup, I'm an IMG. Thanks for your input. I greatly appreciate it. Unfortunately, my parents don't see it that way for a one year delay. I turn 30 next month, and with our cultural background, still not having my career set is extremely shameful.



I understand. Thank you for your informative post.

As an IMG, you should do audition rotations where you have a chance of matching. Your chances at Mt. Sinai are essentially zero, so perhaps better focus on community programs that have taken IMGs.

If you're not willing to take a year off, your likely result is a prelim spot with little chance of advancement.

Also, put things into perspective - it will take 5-10 years of residency and/or fellowship before you actually practice. One year is nothing.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'm not aware of your cultural background but if it's one in which being a physician brings you prestige (and perhaps a marriage partner), your parents should consider that it will be significantly more shameful that you try to match and fail, ending up with nothing, rather than spending the extra year and presenting the very best application you possibly can.