1
14022
I have a concern about away electives. People always say that if you want to go to a solid program, you need to do an away rotation at the program and stand out. What if you are a solid applicant on paper (regardless of how you perform on the wards) going into a less competitive specialty? It seems to me that the away elective may hurt more than help.
I have performed well at the top of my class at an average medical school. Honored 2/3 of basic science courses, all of my clinical rotations thus far. Mid 240's on step 1. Research with pubs pending, volunteer work, member of committees. Good shot at AOA. Planning on going into peds. Yada, yada, yada.
I am afraid that if I do an elective at a top program that I may tarnish the way I look on paper. I perform well on the wards, but it is at an average program with average students. It will be much different being compared to top students at top programs. Also, what if by some chance I get assigned to a team with a resident or attending whose personality is not congruent with mine? I may get a mediocre evaluation just based on personality differences alone. Or by some freakish accident I show up late because of something stupid like car trouble, or getting lost in an area that I am not familiar with, or setting my alarm for pm instead of am, etc. It wouldnt be a big deal on any other rotation but when these people know I am on an audition rotation, they may be more cognizant of things like this. And in a big unfamiliar hospital, it will be much more difficult to do well compared to students who know their way around and know the computer system, students who may know their residents socially, etc. I know some of these things are unlikely and pretty stupid/paranoid but why take the risk of screwing up if you have a decent chance of getting into the program without an away elective?
Any thoughts from those who have matched or interviewed for peds at top programs?
I have performed well at the top of my class at an average medical school. Honored 2/3 of basic science courses, all of my clinical rotations thus far. Mid 240's on step 1. Research with pubs pending, volunteer work, member of committees. Good shot at AOA. Planning on going into peds. Yada, yada, yada.
I am afraid that if I do an elective at a top program that I may tarnish the way I look on paper. I perform well on the wards, but it is at an average program with average students. It will be much different being compared to top students at top programs. Also, what if by some chance I get assigned to a team with a resident or attending whose personality is not congruent with mine? I may get a mediocre evaluation just based on personality differences alone. Or by some freakish accident I show up late because of something stupid like car trouble, or getting lost in an area that I am not familiar with, or setting my alarm for pm instead of am, etc. It wouldnt be a big deal on any other rotation but when these people know I am on an audition rotation, they may be more cognizant of things like this. And in a big unfamiliar hospital, it will be much more difficult to do well compared to students who know their way around and know the computer system, students who may know their residents socially, etc. I know some of these things are unlikely and pretty stupid/paranoid but why take the risk of screwing up if you have a decent chance of getting into the program without an away elective?
Any thoughts from those who have matched or interviewed for peds at top programs?