Question about Away Rotation(s)

[Circadian Man]

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I am a 4th year student who is trying to schedule an away rotation at a particular program. The only time they have available for me is later than I had hoped for, but they also have rotations available in pediatric emergency medicine and ultrasound. Are these rotations suitable for an audition rotation and/or for getting a letter? Frankly, I think the ultrasound rotation would be far more worthwhile than another EM rotation, but others have told me that I need to do an away rotation where I can workup patients and demonstrate my clinical knowledge/skills instead. Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[BadVB750]

I quess it depends on how much input the peds people have in the application process. The upside is that you get exposure to the program by being able to talk to the residents and attend lectures. You can also meet with the program director and make contacts.

 

[trkd]

I am a 4th year student who is trying to schedule an away rotation at a particular program. The only time they have available for me is later than I had hoped for, but they also have rotations available in pediatric emergency medicine and ultrasound. Are these rotations suitable for an audition rotation and/or for getting a letter? Frankly, I think the ultrasound rotation would be far more worthwhile than another EM rotation, but others have told me that I need to do an away rotation where I can workup patients and demonstrate my clinical knowledge/skills instead. Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I did 2 EM electives and a toxicology elective and I think it worked great. I got a letter from the tox dude (an EM doc) and was able to pick up a couple shifts with another attending for another letter (which I didn't end up needing). I also went to the resident conferences every week so I got to know the residents pretty well. At the end of the rotation, I had letters and knew many of the attendings.

I think if you have at least 2 other EM letters that you think are strong, it is great to do a subspecialty elective that is in the dept (ie ultrasound, and maybe not so much peds). It was nice to do something different and not be scrutinized so much for your presentation style, etc. Highly recommend it. (PLUS, people asked about it during interviews because it was something a bit different)

 

[Circadian Man]

Thanks for the replies!