i too would like this answered if anyone has any ideas.

I just matched in ortho this year, and I don't know what it's worth, but I personally think this is a very good idea. I had the opportunity to do one of these "mini-aways" at a program where I knew one of the residents, so he was able to set it up from the inside, which made the process infinitely more easy. And I think it made it possible for me to get a little more out of it, because I wasn't just another rotater, but someone who they knew was using vacation time to see their program. Additionally, I thought it gave me great perspective on the program and the area.

I would not, however, try and use an ortho block and try to do two programs in one month instead of a normal away rotation; I think that could give the impression that you thought you could beat the system or something, and would not help you in the eyes of that/those program(s). I hope you can understand the distinction I'm making here.

That being said, I'm still a bit of an outsider, so I don't know exactly what it looks like to a program. Just my thoughts. Hope this helps, and good luck!

I agree with tiger03 that mini-aways shouldn't be in lieu of actually doing official sub-I's, but used instead as a way to squeeze in a final experience. I did a 2 week mini after doing 2 official aways and I did it for no credit, during "vacation" time because I was really interested in the program but couldn't fit it in earlier. The up-side is the faculty appreciate that you're there, especially if they realize you're there instead of hanging out on a beach somewhere in the tropics, and you can get a pretty good sense of a place in 2 weeks. You can't underestimate the importance of just making yourself known to everyone--plus you'd probably be doing a mini-away at the very end of the sub-I season so will be fresh in everyone's mind when interview time comes. Some programs guarantee interviews to rotators (unless you're a easily identifiable sociopath) so it is also a way to get a surefire foot in the door with less investment. The downside is that you're not doing a month long rotation; I had a couple residents ask me why if I was so interested in the program did I not fit the rotation into my schedule earlier? It was a little awkward answering that since doing a mini is a clear signal to folks that they may be high on your list but they are certainly not at the top. So that kind of blows your cover. Even so it has its place I think for some people. In my case I thought the experience allowed me to safely say I would have loved being at the program, loved the city, and left me comfortable ranking the program very highly. I matched higher but was really content imagining landing there.

-F