VSAS confusion

[honey0102]

---

Members don't see this ad.

When do you hear back from VSAS?
Is it alright to apply broadly-and then just accept 1-2?
On SDN when people say it's bad to back out is that after accepting an offer-or being accepted? In other words is applying also binding (like college Early Decision)?
Interested in Rads and OB, if it matters

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

When do you hear back from VSAS?
Is it alright to apply broadly-and then just accept 1-2?
On SDN when people say it's bad to back out is that after accepting an offer-or being accepted? In other words is applying also binding (like college Early Decision)?
Interested in Rads and OB, if it matters

You will need to apply to between 2-3x the number of programs per away you want to do for competitive specialties. You never know what programs will take you and for what blocks, so it's prudent to apply to a few more than necessary. It may be less selective for specialties that don't traditionally have a glut of away rotators.

In small fields (surgical subs/derm/optho) turning down an away can sometimes hurt if the program keeps record (some do, some don't). In bigger fields like Rads or OBGYN, tbh I doubt they will keep track or remember 4-6 months later that you declined an away. It's unlikely to hurt you much at all.

If you're looking to do 2 aways, I recommend applying for between 4-6, and then respectfully cancelling or withdrawing once you have finalized the two you want. As long as you give plenty of notice, you should be fine.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You will need to apply to between 2-3x the number of programs per away you want to do for competitive specialties. You never know what programs will take you and for what blocks, so it's prudent to apply to a few more than necessary. It may be less selective for specialties that don't traditionally have a glut of away rotators.

In small fields (surgical subs/derm/optho) turning down an away can sometimes hurt if the program keeps record (some do, some don't). In bigger fields like Rads or OBGYN, tbh I doubt they will keep track or remember 4-6 months later that you declined an away. It's unlikely to hurt you much at all.

If you're looking to do 2 aways, I recommend applying for between 4-6, and then respectfully cancelling or withdrawing once you have finalized the two you want. As long as you give plenty of notice, you should be fine.

So if I'm trying to do 3-4 you think I should apply to ~12? Overall I'm toying with doing 5 (DO problems) but one of them will be my home program and I'm guaranteed a spot and don't need to do VSAS for it. My school gives zero guidance on VSAS apps so this kind of info is helpful.

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

So if I'm trying to do 3-4 you think I should apply to ~12? Overall I'm toying with doing 5 (DO problems) but one of them will be my home program and I'm guaranteed a spot and don't need to do VSAS for it. My school gives zero guidance on VSAS apps so this kind of info is helpful.

Hard to tell, it really depends on the individual. If you're shooting for 5 Plastic Surgery Aways then 10-12 might be a good number (since they may only have 2 rotators per month), but if you're doing 5 IM rotations, then you may be fine applying just 5-8 spots for IM. Again it really depends on the institution, the specialty, and the season.

Your best bet would be talking to similar students in the year above you who applied to that specialty. But I think it's always a good idea to apply to a few additional programs.

EDIT: Also the hardest part of aways wasn't getting accepted for them, but rather getting accepted for the right block/time period. It's all rolling and you will have schools make an offer for 1 block which is often take it or leave it. Then you have to hope that your other blocks line up.

I actually got 100% of my aways (6/6), however I had to decline 3 because the block they offered didn't fit or overlapped another institution. So in the end it worked out great, having applied to 6 programs for 3 aways