When and how many Acting Internships are recommended 4th year?

[Please_Stand_By]

I'm planning my 4th year and have 1 AI planned in early September but figured it might be wise to have one more earlier in time for interviews.

My concerns are:
-Is having two AIs beneficial or could it cause more harm than good? (say mediocre evals or hurting your chances at that site?)
-Are AIs virtually expected when programs look for students to interview too?

Thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Crayola227]

yes more than one is good IMHO

definitely having one before ERAS or interviews to get a subI LOR in your field is a good idea to show you are prepared to go on as an intern IMHO
I was told this by my advisor that a subI in time for ERAS was essentially expected, remember, I am reporting heresy here, the only fact I am presenting is that a school advisor said someting to me

you could also do an ICU rotation as your second subI, it would be tough but good prep IMHO

one of my cointerns did like 4 subIs 4th year (too many? I dunno) but they looked like a rockstar beast and it seemed to help them a lot, especially efficiency
many would say this is overkill and enjoy 4th yr take easy stuff, I dunno I was weak and in hindsight wish I had done more to be prepared

could it harm you? of course, just like failing a test
however that doesn't you should just opt out
when I think it is important to a good match to have done one in time for a a grade/comments/LOR that comes from it to be available to programs
as you mention you need to do well of course

an away rotation could be iffy as it can be hard to adjust sometimes and systems issues could bog you down
IMHO then it would be good to do both your subIs at home if you think you would be more successful than an away which is always taking a chance
of course there is an advantage to an away in that it shows flexibility and adaptation which you will need going to a new program from what I've been told

TLDR:
I think more than one subI beneficial and getting grade/LOR from it in time for ERAS is essential IMHO, based on advising I received
it is tough to say if an away will hurt or help

 

[Please_Stand_By]

yes more than one is good IMHO

definitely having one before ERAS or interviews to get a subI LOR in your field is a good idea to show you are prepared to go on as an intern IMHO
I was told this by my advisor that a subI in time for ERAS was essentially expected, remember, I am reporting heresy here, the only fact I am presenting is that a school advisor said someting to me

you could also do an ICU rotation as your second subI, it would be tough but good prep IMHO

one of my cointerns did like 4 subIs 4th year (too many? I dunno) but they looked like a rockstar beast and it seemed to help them a lot, especially efficiency
many would say this is overkill and enjoy 4th yr take easy stuff, I dunno I was weak and in hindsight wish I had done more to be prepared

could it harm you? of course, just like failing a test
however that doesn't you should just opt out
when I think it is important to a good match to have done one in time for a a grade/comments/LOR that comes from it to be available to programs
as you mention you need to do well of course

an away rotation could be iffy as it can be hard to adjust sometimes and systems issues could bog you down
IMHO then it would be good to do both your subIs at home if you think you would be more successful than an away which is always taking a chance
of course there is an advantage to an away in that it shows flexibility and adaptation which you will need going to a new program from what I've been told

TLDR:
I think more than one subI beneficial and getting grade/LOR from it in time for ERAS is essential IMHO, based on advising I received
it is tough to say if an away will hurt or help

Helpful response, thank you!

 

[CopaceticOne]

Helpful response, thank you!

I agree with @Crayola227 . On residency interviews my performance on my SubIs was a topic of discussion multiple times.

Also remember that for some fields, such as EM, it is an absolute requirement (need to do them in order to get a SLOE).

Edit: Do the number of SubIs required by your school and do them in time for your ERAS application - LORs and MSPE.

 

[IMreshopeful]

I am going to go against the grain here. I did one sub-I from which I got two letters and that's it. Still matched at my top place. The remainder were either away electives or in house electives from which I also got letters.

I do not at all think it's necessary to do multiple sub-Is for anyone going into medicine. There was only one required at my medical school. Were there more required I would have done them but no more.

 

[jesok]

yeah I did one... it has worked out fine. I have not heard of anyone doing more than one IM sub-I at my school

 

[jdh71]

I wouldn't recommend giving yourself the chance to run into a bad experience and bad eval. Do one and optimize time and energy.