Should I do an away as an audition?

[medicomel]

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Hi path friends,

I need some advice about away rotations and if they're worth it. I would like to do an away rotation at a neighboring school because I've heard it will be a good experience, and because I am loathe to spend lots of $$$$ for an away in another city if it will not really benefit me to do it. Basically, I've lived in the Midwest for med school, but intend to move to either coasts for residency. I'm originally from the East Coast, and I have good numbers in terms of Step I and grades.

My big concern is that I'll be doing myself a disservice if I don't audition at a school in which I'm interested. On the other hand, I don't want to wreck a potential interview by doing an audition.

So, can I just do a path rotation at a neighboring school and save money on temporary relocation? Or should I bite the bullet and get an emergency loan
for temporary housing for an away? I'm thinking UCSF, UPMC, or MGH, etc.

Thanks!

 

[yaah]

In part it depends on what kind of candidate you are. If you are a strong candidate (good scores, good references, some exposure to path) it is unlikely to be a problem, particularly if at your interview you talk about how you want to move back to the east coast. Some people might recommend doing an away rotation at a program in the general area (like an east coast program, not specifically the one you want to go to) because you could get a reference letter from there and it would maybe have more impact. But these days that doens't really matter. People on the east coast know midwesterners and west coasters very well. The thing that programs do not want is to waste their time on people who do not want to be there - thus, that is why some programs look twice at applicants who come from somewhere far away to interview with them. But if you demonstrate that you truly are interested, it's not a problem. I interviewed at a western program without any personal history or connections, and after my interview the program told me I was high on their list and they wanted me to come there.

 

[listeriaismfb]

Don't bother with an away elective if you're a strong candidate - strong grades, scores & letters.

I know of one instance where a strong candidate came for an elective and blew their chances at an interview - annoying and careless behaviors came out over the course of a month. Not that I'm saying that you're annoying or careless, but you never know what can happen....

Bottom line, if you're a good candidate an elective won't help much and has the potential to work against you.

 

[gbwillner]

Don't bother with an away elective if you're a strong candidate - strong grades, scores & letters.

I know of one instance where a strong candidate came for an elective and blew their chances at an interview - annoying and careless behaviors came out over the course of a month. Not that I'm saying that you're annoying or careless, but you never know what can happen....

Bottom line, if you're a good candidate an elective won't help much and has the potential to work against you.

I agree with this.

Don't do an away elective as an "audition" to get your foot in the door at a program. It may help, or it may backfire, and this may not be up to you (you could be stuck working with that A*hole attending that hates everybody).

DO an away elective because you want to see if you would fit into that program you like. If you KNOW this is so, don't waste your time. I did an away at my #1, and I realized I really didn't like the place. I was very glad I did it.

 

[HbyHA]

I agree with this.

Don't do an away elective as an "audition" to get your foot in the door at a program. It may help, or it may backfire, and this may not be up to you (you could be stuck working with that A*hole attending that hates everybody).

DO an away elective because you want to see if you would fit into that program you like. If you KNOW this is so, don't waste your time. I did an away at my #1, and I realized I really didn't like the place. I was very glad I did it.

that's very wise advice. i've seen it hurt candidates and help others. though i must (selfishly) admit that i'm glad that we got to test drive those candidates and found out before they became co-residents!

 

[js223]

Hello! Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have similar questions about away electives in the west coast (specifically, in the bay area). I am a 3rd yr med student applying to path next year. I have taken a couple of years in between 2nd and 3rd year med school to do path research (with pubs). I just figured out that doing an away in the Bay area can be a huge expense, so I am a bit hesitant. Though if "auditioning" at these places is critical for getting interviews, I would do it matter what. Though, I also afraid this might turn out to be a "backfire" experience. Any residents from these 2 places or anyone who has rotated there could comment? You can also pm me🙂.

 

[Napoleon1801]

Hi path friends,

I need some advice about away rotations and if they're worth it. I would like to do an away rotation at a neighboring school because I've heard it will be a good experience, and because I am loathe to spend lots of $$$$ for an away in another city if it will not really benefit me to do it. Basically, I've lived in the Midwest for med school, but intend to move to either coasts for residency. I'm originally from the East Coast, and I have good numbers in terms of Step I and grades.

My big concern is that I'll be doing myself a disservice if I don't audition at a school in which I'm interested. On the other hand, I don't want to wreck a potential interview by doing an audition.

So, can I just do a path rotation at a neighboring school and save money on temporary relocation? Or should I bite the bullet and get an emergency loan
for temporary housing for an away? I'm thinking UCSF, UPMC, or MGH, etc.

Thanks!

I did a couple aways and I was really happy that I did. I found out things about the programs that I would not have seen on the interview day. If you've already had a pathology course at home and you can show the appropriate enthusiasm, it might be worth it to you. But I agree with everyone here, you can certainly blow your chances if you accidently let your "less desirable" traits show.

 

[yaah]

Auditioning is NOT critical for getting interviews. It can help if you are a marginal candidate (especially one not from the area) or if you are a foreign graduate. If you have research experience in path with publications, have a good step I or 2 score, and don't have any red flags in your references or background, you are likely to get interviews at most places.