Too late to do an OOT rotation?

[srd4g9]

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So I recently changed my schedule and am able to do an away rotation this fall/winter. The problem is that the only available month for an away at the program I am looking at is December. It is somewhere that I really would like to go and I'm not that competetive of an applicant.
Do you think this is too late to do an out of town considering the early match?
Will it help or hurt to be rotating so close to the match?
Will it be a waste of time if they don't end up offering me an interview?
Please offer any answers/advice!

 

[JMK2005]

A December rotation won't help. Most programs are finishing their interviews at that time. It may bump you up on the rank list. That is IF you get an interview.

 

[MAYOphtho]

So I recently changed my schedule and am able to do an away rotation this fall/winter. The problem is that the only available month for an away at the program I am looking at is December. It is somewhere that I really would like to go and I'm not that competetive of an applicant.
Do you think this is too late to do an out of town considering the early match?
Will it help or hurt to be rotating so close to the match?
Will it be a waste of time if they don't end up offering me an interview?
Please offer any answers/advice!

I agree with JMK...plus you're forgetting the fact that most Ophtho interviews are around November/December...so you'll be (1) spending money on an away rotation that will not get you a letter for this year's match (2) will not get you that interview since those will be handed out WAY before then...and most importantly (3) having to ask for time away to do other interviews (which may be given to you from that program, but it certainly does not make you look "good" since they cant spend as much time observing you

If you were going for NEXT year's match, I'd say do it...this year's match it would only help if you ALREADY got the interview, since you might be able to use it to prove yourself in a trial run...but it could also hurt you because there may be a number of days you'll need to be away to interview

my advice, dont do it...completely up to you

good luck

 

[srd4g9]

Thanks for the advice, that really does help. I don't want to throw away opportunities but I don't want to be wasting my time.
I appreciate it.