Many medical students have had the same problem in the past. The SIU medical school allows their own students to apply for ortho spots first, then the school allows visiting students to apply. So the delay is from the medical school and not the department of orthopaedics, we have absolutely no control initially.
However, if you contact Anita Weinhoeft (Program Coordinator) at 217-545-6155. She is very happy to "back door" your way into a visiting student spot. We always will accept more students.
We have ~ 7 academic faculty and 14 community faculty. We obviously have room for any number of rotators. Working with Dr. Allan for at least one week is essenital. Otherwise we try to send you with one academic faculty for a week, then change to a different specialty.
If there are too many students during that time for you to work with Dr. Allan, then you should consider another date. In fact, people in this program have rotated here in January/February.
Traditionally we have taken people that have rotated here because we know them. But, more importantly they know us and the design of the program. So I think the rotators are ranking us high because liked the program and then get invited. Most of our rotators are from SIU (7 last year) however no SIU student matched here last year.
I think the reason so many SIU students have chosen the Sept time periord, is that the medical school has lengthened its 3rd year curriculum ?sp so the SIU students have less time to do 4th year rotations.