Sub-I's and Electives

[Osteosaur]

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What's a good number of Sub-I's versus pure electives to do during 4th year? I am sure its specialty dependent. Decided to go FM, but realized as I am reaching out to find rotations I am finding most are Sub-I's.

Unless I am getting the sense most people just do one between July and October for a letter? I even have all the letters I need but I figure I should at least do one.

When reaching out to a program coordinator is there a good way to phrase it in order to make clear I just want an away rotation? Not looking to burn myself out unnecessarily or take on too much. Or maybe the distinction between Sub-I and away is more murky than I realize for a 4th year.

 

[ontiquicuo]

There's a link to a PDF of an article about what FM PDs think you should take on your fourth year.

Medical School Rotations & Electives for Family Medicine

Explore how to choose medical school rotations and electives that support your family medicine goals. Get tips to strengthen your residency application.

www.aafp.org

 

[YCAGA]

The family medicine forum might be more helpful, but if I remember correctly, away rotations aren't very common in FM, unless you really want a specific program or you really need to prove yourself (IMG for example). One reason they aren't that common is that because FM is so uncompetitive, away rotations are normally fairly neutral and at worst can hurt you. So not worth the risk in other words

 

[Osteosaur]

Like my scores/grades are fine. No reason to prove myself. Presumably I need to demonstrate at least some interest in the field with my 4th year rotation patterns? I guess in that case I would just be arranging them at my school and calling it a day?

Or does this allow more freedom in choosing rotations I'd just want exposure to?

 

[mvenus929]

Like my scores/grades are fine. No reason to prove myself. Presumably I need to demonstrate at least some interest in the field with my 4th year rotation patterns? I guess in that case I would just be arranging them at my school and calling it a day?

Or does this allow more freedom in choosing rotations I'd just want exposure to?

I mean, family medicine can theoretically do it all--peds, OB, IM, some minor procedures, etc... just about anything you do will be beneficial to you long term. I imagine you should actually experience family medicine and get a letter from one if you can, but FM seems to be one of those that your electives don't necessarily have to match up with your specialty of choice bc yours is so broad. Unlike, say, neurosurgery where doing a bunch of primary care rotations might look a little weird.