One of the best ways to learn about programs is to look up program homepages on the internet. This site and several others (scutwork.com) provide links to these. This will provide you with information about the program and faculty in most cases. They may also include information concerning away rotation applications. If this info is not readily found, you may have to go to the homepage of the university/medical school associated with the program, or use any contact info from the websites to check specifics. Another great resource is people who have gone through the process themselves. Current fourth years, ortho residents, and younger attendings maybe able to give you insight into programs they looked strongly at when making these difficult decisions. In either case, just beware that opinions vary and it can sometimes be easy to make a program appear great on paper (or website!).
As far as application materials, different programs require different things. The websites will usually let you know about these. I've heard of some requiring an application, personal statement of interest, transcript, LOR's etc... Others want nothing other than the standard "application, and proof of insurance/good standing). As a general rule, no program will schedule a visiting student before their home students have had a chance to schedule. This is usually in late spring/early summer at the latest. The best strategy is to know early which programs you want to go to, have their application materials together early, and of course send it in at the earliest possible date.

Several posts are up regarding AI scheduling, so here's where i'll offer my two cents worth. With ortho being a popular career choice, certain added strategies may aid in arranging your away AI schedule. Even as a MS3, you probably have a top 10 list for a host of different reasons (location, family, reputation, familiarity, contacts, experience, etc.) You should arrange an early rotation at your home institution to get a solid core of ortho skills (phys exam, language, radiology, etc.) and recs, if needed, before you head off somewhere else. Then 2-3 away AIs are recommended to enhance your number of interview offers and overall chances of matching at a particular place. Also, you'll get stronger with each AI, so consider placing a more competitive program later in the year when your skills have been sharply honed.

For me, I did 2 away rotations. The first, was with my "initial" #3 choice that was out of my geographical region. This served 2 purposes:

1) Put me on first name basis with most of the interview committee, who were highly complimentary of my performance (that helps when all of us look so similar on paper),

2) Expanded my geographical legitimacy. By this, I mean much of the screening process comes down to a basic question - "Do you believe this candidate will come here, if given an offer?" If you're from the south without any significnat ties to other geographcial areas and interviewing in the NE or Midwest, then you will undoubtedly encounter this question (this likely applies to everyone regardless of place of origin). Therefore, securing recs from as geographically diverse and recognizable orthopods during AIs will lend much creedence to your ultimate response of why you'd like to move away from your longstanding home. Additionally, it reinforces your strength as a candidate when recognizable orthopods at different programs other than where you're from endorse you, 'cause your home program's job is to find a place for you and will likely provide great recs for you simply to take care of their own.

My 2nd away AI was at my "initial" No. 1 choice mainly because I'd heard they only accepted rotators - which would have been very helpful if i ultimately kept them as my No. 1 choice, but you never know how your top 10 list might change after months of interviewing, discussion, and analysis.

In the end, my first away AI became my top choice, while my second away AI fell to No. 10. So, in my opinion, away rotations are invaluable to your decision and the programs decisions in terms of interviews and ultimate placement. hope that helps..


"leave the gun, take the canoli."
Godfather




There may be a few added considerations for scheduling away AI's are