Should I do an away?

[Cheyf]

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I'm at the end of my 3rd year of med school at a middle tier school in the South. My fiancee is from Detroit, and she wants us to go back to the Midwest. She is the same year (class of 2017) applying for ophtho.

Should I do an away to show programs that I'm "serious" about moving to Michigan or the midwest in general? Or does it not even really matter? Just do my own thing with a 1 month radiology rotation at my home institution, get some research and a strong letter, and just email the programs closer to ERAS submission?

 

[rufaterd]

If you have an above average step 1 score and grades, you will probably get the Midwest interviews by contacting programs and expressing your interest. Or writing a personalized paragraph in your personal statement for Midwest programs.

If not, and you want it to be a guarantee, then do an away rotation and be the best all around person you can be. You might be able to do an away rotation together and have a place to stay.

 

[Shipping News]

If you have an above average step 1 score and grades, you will probably get the Midwest interviews by contacting programs and expressing your interest. Or writing a personalized paragraph in your personal statement for Midwest programs.

If not, and you want it to be a guarantee, then do an away rotation and be the best all around person you can be. You might be able to do an away rotation together and have a place to stay.

+1

But I would be less enthusiastic about recommending you do away rotations, OP. In my opinion, it's hard to look good on a radiology rotation. Med students are useless and it's easy to come off looking bored or annoying even if you mean well. I'd say just email the programs in the Midwest that you're interested in. The Midwest is not a terribly difficult region to break into.

 

[Derv]

+1

But I would be less enthusiastic about recommending you do away rotations, OP. In my opinion, it's hard to look good on a radiology rotation. Med students are useless and it's easy to come off looking bored or annoying even if you mean well. I'd say just email the programs in the Midwest that you're interested in. The Midwest is not a terribly difficult region to break into.

When would you recommend emailing the programs to express your interest? Pre-ERAS submission? After?

 

[DragonDO]

When would you recommend emailing the programs to express your interest? Pre-ERAS submission? After?

After. Or, you can mention your specific interests in your personal statement for those programs you are particularly interested in.

 

[Derv]

After. Or, you can mention your specific interests in your personal statement for those programs you are particularly interested in.

Cool. I was sort of planning of doing the latter of those options, especially as I am couples matching and would like to explore options outside of my region (South-East). I was planning on saving the last paragraph and tailoring it to the specific city or region and why I would like to go there for anywhere that is not SE.

 

[Cheyf]

Thanks for the advice. I'll likely mention in a few sentences in my personal statement about why (fiancee wants to go back to Michigan to be with family) I'd want to go to Detroit, even though I've spent my entire life in Louisiana. I'll also probably email program directors after I submit my ERAS, probably a couple days after I hit submit (like Sept 18th?).

Anyone else have any advice? :]

 

[ConfusedRank]

After having done two aways and seeing my results, I would say not to bother. I had Honors on both of my away rotations, received interviews, and fell past both with my match. They give courtesy interviews at some places, but, from my experience, the aways were fruitless.

 

[001100010010011]

IR aways can be fun. Cool people.