What if a school doesn't have your department of interest?

[skyeblue0610]

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I'm looking at the Texas schools more than an because of residency. I'm already not a fan of moving to a different city for 3rd and 4th year but since the majority of the schools in Texas do have you go somewhere for clerkships I'll just have to deal🙁 but hope and pray I get into one that has me stay put in one city.

But what do you do if a school you want doesn't have the department your interested in? Do you take it as an elective somewhere else. I love Baylor and I always just assumed they had an Emergency Medicine department but they don't.

Would you still want to go to a school that is missing the area you're looking at the most? I want EM but a rotation in it would seal the deal if it's what I really wanted. Would I just skip it and hope I like it (even though I've never been through it in a rotation)?

How does that work?

 

[UofM527]

Without question, you should use some of your elective clerkship time to explore an EM rotation if you have a strong interest in it...you definitely need to know what you are getting into when you are applying for residency positions...i wouldn't recommend basing your school decision upon a department being present in the academic institution...this is exactly why many medical schools have programs set up to do rotations at county hospitals etc...go to the school that fits you best first, and then just talk to some people in the school...a good school (probably any school) will be able to easily hook you up with an EM clerkship nearby...

 

[skyeblue0610]

Thanks for the response. I was starting to get a little sad about Baylor. I didn't want to not apply there.

 

[MsJLewis]

Thanks for the response. I was starting to get a little sad about Baylor. I didn't want to not apply there.

Are you sure?? I swear I think I met a 3rd year when I was at Baylor that said he was planning to do EM. You should call the school and/or talk to some students before you cross it off your list.

 

[ihatescience]

It's not optimal. During my Hopkins interview I mentioned primary care. I think that may have contributed to my swift rejection 🙂.

 

[Samus Aran]

i've recently started worrying about the same thing. i'd like to explore radonc but my school doesn't have a radonc department. i guess there's always away rotations?

 

[skyeblue0610]

It's not optimal. During my Hopkins interview I mentioned primary care. I think that may have contributed to my swift rejection 🙂.

that's not good. Hopkins is one of my dream schools.

 

[ihatescience]

that's not good. Hopkins is one of my dream schools.

Hopkins is great for producing clinician-scientists and specialists. However, the impression I got during my interview was that if I wanted to do primary care, another school would be more suitable (ouch!).

 

[TheRealMD]

3rd year is for required electives which everyone pretty much does the same. 4th year you get away electives and the purpose of those IS to go to programs that your school doesn't have that you may be interested in.

 

[lord_jeebus]

More important than the 4th year rotation is the lack of an opportunity to do research in that department and make connections. Waiting until 4th year to meet some people to help you out is a disadvantage.

Of course this can all be overcome, but is it worth the trouble?

 

[skyeblue0610]

More important than the 4th year rotation is the lack of an opportunity to do research in that department and make connections. Waiting until 4th year to meet some people to help you out is a disadvantage.

Of course this can all be overcome, but is it worth the trouble?

That's what I'm trying to decide. I love Baylor for obvious reasons. Ranking is important but it's like number 7 on my top 10 list. Location is close to number 1, it's in my hometown, in the TMC, and for 3rd and 4th year I get to stay put. I'm sure my brain will be put to the test enough in those years without trying to find my way around a new city.

 

[Maxprime]

More important than the 4th year rotation is the lack of an opportunity to do research in that department and make connections. Waiting until 4th year to meet some people to help you out is a disadvantage.

Of course this can all be overcome, but is it worth the trouble?

+1

Personally, I want to do neurosurgery and the only school I've gotten into doesn't have a department.

A great example - fellowship applications for the summer between M1 & M2 require an LOR from your staff neurosurgeon. I can find one, but it'd be nice if he was the same one I'd do rotations, research, etc. with.

While many of us will change our mind concerning our specialty, I don't think it's a good idea to go to a school w/out your department of interest (if you have options).

 

[skyeblue0610]

+1

Personally, I want to do neurosurgery and the only school I've gotten into doesn't have a department.

A great example - fellowship applications for the summer between M1 & M2 require an LOR from your staff neurosurgeon. I can find one, but it'd be nice if he was the same one I'd do rotations, research, etc. with.

While many of us will change our mind concerning our specialty, I don't think it's a good idea to go to a school w/out your department of interest (if you have options).[/quote]

I do agree, I wish I didn't. I still don't understand why they don't have that department and it's suppose to be the "best" in Texas😕