M3 Selective in Field of Interest

[surgquestion]

Hey everyone,

DO student (OMS-II) here. Currently scheduling 3rd year rotations, and I have the chance to do a 4-wk elective in the surgical specialty I am aiming for at a highly ranked program with well-known faculty. My dilemma is which month I should schedule the rotation for.

Considerations I can think of:
-To be clear, I'm not hoping to be granted an away rotation or an interview from this place come 4th year. What I do think I could gain is a letter/research/advice on which programs to aim for/calls being made on my behalf (none of these are a given, obviously)
-Applications for 4th yr away rotations are accepted in April/May. Should I do the rotation as close to that time as possible, so that I'm fresh in their mind and have a better chance of getting any help they're willing to offer?
-Unsure of how heavily impacted my experience would be by MS-IVs who are there doing aways. Even though applications for away rotations are accepted for all blocks, is there a point in the year when no students are doing aways anymore (in the competitive surgical specialties)? Would I have a better chance to shine if I do the rotation late in the year, or are there going to be students doing aways no matter which month it is?


-Argument for doing it early (Oct/Nov): The biggest reason is research. If the possibility exists for me to hop on an abstract or a paper, that would be a big help since I have little research. Granted, this may not even be an opportunity they give me. Is there anything else to gain by doing the rotation in Oct/Nov that I may not be aware of?
-Argument for doing it later (Feb/Mar): Possibly would get to do more if there are no 4th yrs doing aways by then, and thus, look more impressive. Also would be fresh in their minds when I ask for advice/help on applying for aways in April/May. If I do the rotation too early in the year, I worry about losing that open line of communication.

Thank you in advance for any guidance.

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[Osteoth]

I'd do it early. In addition to the ability to do research with them, you also can maintain that connection longitudinally by showing up every once in a while when you're on an easier service and scrubbing in/observing. This way when it comes time to apply they'll be more likely to help you in terms of pointing out residencies that are more DO-friendly or even maybe by giving you a leg up to an away at their institution.

I know you said in your original post this was not your intention, but at the same point since you're a DO student I assume you don't have a home department, so any networking can only help you. Unless you suck of course, in which case its all a moot point.