planning for fourth year during third

[insatx]

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Hi - my fiancé is an MS-III and I'm trying to help him stay organized this year and be prepared for next year. Does anyone have any advice on how to plan for fourth year, specifically applying for away rotations? I know there are certain fourth-year items you need to get a jump on early, and we feel very in-the-dark about the timing. 😕

If you can advise us about what to be thinking about when, it would be very helpful!

Thank you!

 

[MeowMix]

unless you are also a med student and interested in this stuff yourself, I would really recommend that he do his own research. The answers very much depend on his career aspirations (specialty, geography, etc.), and it is important for him to take ownership in this process; despite all your good intentions, it would really be better for you to provide support at a distance, and focus your energies on expanding your own life.

If you also are a med student, then first year is not too early to start examining your long-term goals and exploring your interests. Any information you gather now (what do I like, what do I find boring, what is rewarding) will be helpful in your own decision.

 

[insatx]

unless you are also a med student and interested in this stuff yourself, I would really recommend that he do his own research. The answers very much depend on his career aspirations (specialty, geography, etc.), and it is important for him to take ownership in this process; despite all your good intentions, it would really be better for you to provide support at a distance, and focus your energies on expanding your own life.

If you also are a med student, then first year is not too early to start examining your long-term goals and exploring your interests. Any information you gather now (what do I like, what do I find boring, what is rewarding) will be helpful in your own decision.

He is researching his own career. I am just trying to help him find out what the timeline is for setting up fourth year rotations.

 

[Becky]

Your best bet is to visit the individual school website.

• Most programs allow 4th years to come after the new residents have somewhat settled.
  
• some allow students from Jan to May
• some skip summer months
• most require you should apply 2-3 months in advance
• some ask for a piece of paper from the Dean stating that you are in good standing and you will be covered with malpractice insurance for the amount of($$)
• some want a brief essay about why you want to come there, some don't.
• some say that the availability of the rotation is dependent on whether there is enough space, meaning their own student get first priority, so it might pay to have a back up

In a nut shell, your best bet is to get a school name and start from there. Best of luck

 

[RockfordWF]

Hi - my fiancé is an MS-III and I'm trying to help him stay organized this year and be prepared for next year. Does anyone have any advice on how to plan for fourth year, specifically applying for away rotations? I know there are certain fourth-year items you need to get a jump on early, and we feel very in-the-dark about the timing. 😕

If you can advise us about what to be thinking about when, it would be very helpful!

Thank you!

He needs to sign up for away rotations at his top residency choices for this fall of his 4th year.

He should sign up for fun rotations that are not too difficult for the end of his fourth year.

Electives should be considered that will be helpful in his specialty area.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

If he is going to be applying for something even moderately competitve and wants to rotate at top programs I would reccomend he call or email those places in January/February of his third year.

Some might argue that is too early, but I know from experience that it is not. The worst that they can say is "thanks for your interest, but we're not taking applications for visiting students until..."

 

[sikegeek]

I'm doing a lot of away rotations. The process is like taking out a mortgage with all the paperwork. Look at the school's requirements and make sure he is up to date on vaccines, TB, tetanus, etc. Some schools require a lab report of antibody titers of these vaccines.
You could download applications and get them organized. Also, most schools have their own schedule as far as when rotations begin/end and don't accommodate changes, so you could research the programs and find out what dates are compatible and how to organize the schedule.

Good luck!

 

[jennyboo]

Hi - my fiancé is an MS-III and I'm trying to help him stay organized this year and be prepared for next year. Does anyone have any advice on how to plan for fourth year, specifically applying for away rotations? I know there are certain fourth-year items you need to get a jump on early, and we feel very in-the-dark about the timing. 😕

If you can advise us about what to be thinking about when, it would be very helpful!

Thank you!

Applying for Aways

• In JANUARY of 3rd year, start applying for aways at the chosen places. Call or email the secretary and ask her to PENCIL YOU IN while you're getting your application done, if possible.
• Cost: You will need the money for any application fee which some programs may charge (no more than $100), plus RENT, travel and living expenses at the away city/town.
• If undecided between two specialties, apply in JANUARY for both. Applications are cheap to free (very few places actually charge an application fee) and you can always cancel unwanted electives later.

Stuff you will need MONEY for:

• Step 2 CK
• Step 2 CS (which is around $1000)
• Registering for ERAS and paying application fees for residency programs
• Interviewing attire, travel, food
• Cost of aways

 

[Tired]

If he is going to be applying for something even moderately competitve and wants to rotate at top programs I would reccomend he call or email those places in January/February of his third year.

Some might argue that is too early, but I know from experience that it is not. The worst that they can say is "thanks for your interest, but we're not taking applications for visiting students until..."

+1 big time. Good advice from jennyboo as well.

And by the way, kudos to you for helping him out. My wife was absolutely integral to my success in the later years of med school. She helped me stay organized (not a strong suit, believe me). She reminded me of deadlines. She offered suggestions on where to look for information. I will always be grateful to her for her help. And yes, at that time, she was my girlfriend, not wife.

Ignore this crap about leaving him to fend for himself. Real couples support each other, and figuring all the **** out around the time of the Match is really difficult. Good for you.