away rotations - ADVICE!

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chewibocca

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So, I had an away rotation planned for August, but I received an email TODAY that it was canceled because they overbooked. I talked to the dept and there's nothing I can do about it.

I've done 2 home derm rotations, and I'm pretty sure it's too late to find an August rotation. Any suggestions? Should I look for another away? Or do a 3rd rotation a home? Or not do any more derm rotations period?
 
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chewibocca said:
So, I had an away rotation planned for August, but I received an email TODAY that it was canceled because they overbooked. I talked to the dept and there's nothing I can do about it.

I've done 2 home derm rotations, and I'm pretty sure it's too late to find an August rotation. Any suggestions? Should I look for another away? Or do a 3rd rotation a home? Or not do any more derm rotations period?
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I had a similar thing happen to me. I'd recommend emailing or even calling all local programs (or even any programs you would be willing to relocate to on short notice). You would be surprised at how many applicants suddenly drop out at the last moment giving you a chance to sneak in.

I would not do another rotation at home. By now, they've formed a opinion of you (hopefully good). There's really nothing you can do at this point but lower your stock by rotating further. Away rotations are also not absolutely necessary but I would still try hard to squeeze in an away if possible (If nothing else, it allows you to be more informed about what you are looking for in a residency program. So far, all you've seen is the way your home program conducts business. There's a surprising amount of variation between residency programs)
 
I'd say doing at least one away is important.
Doesn't have to be August. I did mine in September and October... and still got interviews at both programs. Try to rearrange your 4th year schedule if you can't get August. I'd imagine most med schools would be pretty willing to work with you on that front -- they want you to match.

There may be some benefit to rotating later in the year. You'll be more fresh in the interviewer's memory than people who rotated in July...
 
I agree that aways are important. However, you can still do a september or october or november away (I matched at a program I rotated at in the fall). Some programs look down on doing too many derm rotations, I've heard that one even has a "special" interview for people who did more than 3 derm rotations, so if you cannot arrange an away for your upcoming rotation I would definitely recommend doing any required (and time-consuming) rotations you have left, or perhaps dermpath or plastics or rheum or some other rotation you might have a future interest in. Or research. Then arrange an away for the fall, it is not too late.
 
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