Questions about aways

[echod]

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How long typically are Rad Onc rotations? Is 3 weeks too short?

 

[echod]

Do away rotations have prerequisites? Do they ask that students finish Rad Onc in their home programs? I would not think so because not all schools have home Rad Onc programs. Thanks a lot!

 

[echod]

My understanding is that most aways occur during the summer and early fall, but would it be possible to schedule aways for Jan and Feb? Thank you!

 

[JumpingFrenchmn]

Most are 4 weeks.

Many med schools have internal requirements for doing elective rotations, e.g., being a "fourth year medical student," so check with the school's registrar.

When elective rotations are offered will vary based on the individual school, so again, ask the program's registrar if the info isn't online. They might be able to schedule you in early if the school offers the elective at that time.

 

[Seldon1985]

It depends on the program actually. The ones on VSAS are mostly 4 weeks, but they have a few that are 2 weeks as well. For those programs not on VSAS, I found that they were much more flexible. I was able to, in most cases, tell them which dates I was free, and some would be able to fit me in... Call the coordinator and see what can be worked out...

 

[echod]

It depends on the program actually. The ones on VSAS are mostly 4 weeks, but they have a few that are 2 weeks as well. For those programs not on VSAS, I found that they were much more flexible. I was able to, in most cases, tell them which dates I was free, and some would be able to fit me in... Call the coordinator and see what can be worked out...

Thanks a lot for the replies! How long were the Rad Onc rotations in your home programs?

 

[Seldon1985]

2 or 4 for students from my school. 4 if you were a visiting/rotating student.

 

[Carotenoid]

Do away rotations have prerequisites? Do they ask that students finish Rad Onc in their home programs? I would not think so because not all schools have home Rad Onc programs. Thanks a lot!

The only prerequisite that I have come across is being a 4th year med student. Also, there are sometimes medical forms (e.g. you must have had a medical exam within a year and such) and some HIPAA-related online BS courses you may need to take... but nothing that is not "easily overcomable".
Most rotations will be a month. If you absolutely need to shorten it to 3 weeks, you can contact the program coordinator (in some programs, they may wield lots of power).
bottom line: everything is very easy to set up. Rad Onc programs are small, and they are quite willing to accommodate.

 

[crd117]

In my overexcitement about doing away rotations this summer, I contacted a couple of departments to express my interest. Apparently, this early on there is not much difficulty in securing a spot in an elective at these places. While I have not officially applied yet, each program expressed that there are openings for their electives. My dilemma now is that I have contacted more programs than I can rotate at. Will this hurt me when is comes time to interview? What have been some past experiences with this dilemma?

 

[The 805]

I imagine there are different perspectives on this issue, but in my experience, its best not to apply to more programs than you can rotate at. I met 2 highly, highly qualified MD-PhD applicants at interviews who both applied for an away clerkship at a particular top 5 program, but didn't end up doing the rotation (for very legitimate reasons). However, neither of them were invited for an interview at this place. It sounds like you've only contacted the programs (did you talk to administrative assistatants, or faculty?), so you should probably be okay.

All that being said, its somewhat of a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation when it comes to aways. A few of the places I interviewed at asked me why I hadn't rotated at their program... and no, that wasn't awkward at all (is the sarcasm coming through?).