You never know unless you try. You shouldn't be too bad right now. Defiantly get on this ASAP.

Hey guys, I've been completely overwhelmed recently by personal issues that have come up and haven't gotten my apps for aways out yet. I am looking at HSS, Mt Sinai and Columbia in August-Sept-Oct. Am I screwed or do I still have a chance if I get on this STAT?

Last year I applied for an away at Sinai but the only service left to choose from was F&A during the month I wanted, so it was slim pickings. I think most aways are first-come-first-served, so I'd probably get on it whenever VSAS opens up (or check the individual websites if they don't use VSAS)

just PMed you with some thoughts!

At Columbia we cannot even officially accept away rotators until the Dean's office opens up the July/August elective options for the Columbia students in April so no worries whatsoever.

As an aside, we review the applications just as we would be doing for consideration of invitations for interviews so that if you are a strong applicant you'll definitely get a sub-internship position. As many threads have indicated on Orthogate there is no question that more and more programs are matching a much higher percentage of students who have rotated as the years go on.

So when deciding on your away rotations be very introspective in your analysis and pick the 2 places other than your home program where you really think you'd like to be an orthopaedic resident since chances are you'll match at one of those 3 (of course many people still do end up matching at "unknowns").

Good luck --

wnl

I agree with Dr. Levine. Most schools that use VSAS haven't even opened up yet, so if you get your immunizations in order, you should be str8. However, for programs that don't use VSAS (meaning you could have applied from august of your senior year if you wanted), those programs may be filled already, but you never know. Gotta call and check.

Thank you so much for the replies!

I submitted an away app on VSAS. The school doesn't start processing applications until May so I assume that would be the earliest I would hear from them. Should I contact the Ortho department and let them know that I submitted an away app on VSAS or should I just let the process go its course through VSAS?

Thanks.

SB

What I would do is call or e-mail the department secretary and say that you submitted your VSAS and inquire as to whether they have any additional application requirements they need you fulfill. This lets them know you are interested, reminds them that you have applied and doesn't make you come off as pestering them about reviewing your application.

Received a rejection from NYU for the month of august. Apparently I can go on the waitlist for that month or ask about openings other months. Any input about whether it's worth asking them if they have openings for september or is it way too late? What's the best course of action?

September is definitely not too late to rotate at all.

I did an away in December (my school finishes third year late) and that's where I matched, so I wouldnt worry about September.

I did an away in December (my school finishes third year late) and that's where I matched, so I wouldnt worry about September.

I wouldnt recommend december or january as I was busy with interviews every week of both. Also it's important to have access to your email at all times from Nov 1 on, so November would be a risk as well (meaning missing out on getting the most convenient interview days or sometimes being too late to confrirm your interview at all).

Has anyone actually heard back yet? I only applied to 2 which I haven't heard back from and am wondering at what point I should cast a wider net...

I've heard back from both my aways, but I applied outside of VSAS for both of them, so that may affect this.

Due to personal circumstances, I haven't submitted my away rotation apps yet. I am taking my home program ortho sub-I in June. I have July/August unscheduled for away rotations. It seems that I have missed the deadlines for most July away rotations as they require apps submitted at least 8 weeks in advance. Can anyone suggest programs that have a later deadline?

Also, I haven't taken my Pedi core rotation at my home institution yet (scheduled for September-October). Do most ortho programs require completion of all cores prior to aways?

Thank you in advance!