Timing for away/audition rotations

Started by sswang00
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sswang00

MS4
10+ Year Member
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Hey guys,

Im a MS3 applying to ophtho this fall. I have a particular program in mind for residency, so I applied for an away elective there. Unfortunately, it is full August/Sept/Oct. They offered me a time slot for November. From what I understand, ophtho interviews are in November and December.
Is it still worth taking an elective there that late? On one hand, if I end up receiving an interview there, they will know me a little better. But on the other hand, if they decide not to interview me, my performance will not change anything. Ideally I wanted to rotate their Aug or Sept to better my chances of receiving an interview. Is taking the elective going to be any help this late on?

Thanks
 
November is a pretty late month to do externship in ophthalmology -- most of my interviews fell in the 2 weeks before thanksgiving holiday, and the 2 weeks after the holidays. Even if you were to do a rotation in November, you have to realize that Nov is a hectic time for programs and faculty to truly pay attention to students rotating through the department because they are worried about applicants, interviews, and ranking process. I would not recommend doing it in November.