Northwestern away rotation in internal medicine

[backtochitown]

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Hey SDNers, I am in need of some advice.

I am at a mid-tier medical school on the east coast and my dream is to pretty much do internal medicine residency at Northwestern. Since I've heard doing a away elective as an audition rotation is kind of a mixed bag, as the risk/benefits varies depending on your stats. So I was wondering, what is the grey zone for someone to get the most benefit out of doing an audition elective at NMH? I have step 1 score in mid 240s, and mix of pass, high pass and honors in the first two years. My clinical grades are still up in the air at the moment, but IM has been my best rotation by far. Assuming I have a comparable step 2 score, could NMH take me solely by these stats, or should I take a chance and do an away? Thanks.

Sorry if I posted in the wrong section.

 

[vicinihil]

I think any away will help you assuming you are not one of those people that makes great first impressions and ticks people off afterwards. IM works long hours so you have to be on your best behavior and be on for 80 hours a week for all 4 weeks. If you think this is not a problem, I say you do it. This will get you exposure to faculty who will write LOR's and vouch for you in front of the committee at least getting you an interview.

My vote is yes.

 

[XRanger]

I would say no.
You stats are great for IM assuming you have no red flags. I think based on your stat alone, you have more to lose than to gain by doing away. You have to be on your best behavior for the whole 4 weeks and 1 misstep can cost you. Remember people usually remember the bad things that you do and not the good things. My attending always caution me against doing aways because there are as many people who ruin their chances with aways as people who benefit from them, but for the majority it doesn't make a difference.

However, if you have no ties whatsoever to the area (like family or you did your college there, etc..), then I would do away to show that you're serious about moving to that city. But again, even without any ties, I think your chance of getting interview there is still pretty good

 

[Siverhideo1985]

I dunno what it is about this paranoia with away rotations. If this is your dream location then you absolutely have to do an away rotation...not only to show yourself off but to see if this program and the people in it are really your cup of tea. Nothing worse than getting your dream location and then figuring out "ah crap, this isn't what I expected".

Also beware of their away rotation application, its a laundry list and you need a letter of rec. Should go live for the 12-13 cycle some time in early march...get those titers drawn and ask that letter writer yesterday.