Advice for picking an away

Anyone know what the deal is for VSAS and the applications accepted date vs. applications processed date? I've seen U. Colorado saying they will process in order they were received, but I know elsewhere I have seen somewhere that said submitting apps before processing date doesn't gain anyone favor.

Which way do most places handle things?

I guess I didn't heed information to have everything done ASAP to secure an away and I'm waiting on 1 more lab to come in. One of the aways I'm interested in opens this week, but doesn't begin processing until May, so I'm wondering if I'll still have a shot or if I should just go with my backup. Unfortunately their rotation coordinator doesn't pick up the phone or reply to emails.

Hey benchdaily,

This might differ from what most people think, but based on what I heard, most schools still process in the order it is received though they may say "we don't start processing until May." I recently applied to an away that said applying early doesn't have a benefit, but everyone who did that away at my medical school last year basically said that was only a half truth. In summary, applying early can't hurt, and almost always helps. If you can't get in touch with the coordinator, try an email and try to contact one of the registrar's staff and they should be able to transfer you or also assist with the questions you may have.

Agree with this. I think most places still process in the order they received them. Basically the accept date is when you can actually submit your application, then the processing date is when they start going through them and offering spots.

Silly questions here, but from a complete novice M3 to aways:

1) WHEN should one begin to apply to aways?
2) Is there a strategy when choosing aways with regard to proximity to rank list? I.e. place you wanna go to most you do right before the match/more experience? Or do it earlier to get a letter from them?

There is an instagram account that has some great advice on this, @orthomentor

Also have a few random questions:

1) Is it looked down upon by other programs if a student has done all aways in one area?

2) Very specific, but I want to be in NYC and plan to do aways at HSS and NYU. I'm torn whether to A - do an additional away at either Mt Sinai or Columbia. In this scenario, I fear that the one manhattan program at which I don't rotate wouldn't be very happy that I rotated at the other three programs and not theirs. or B - do rotations at neither Mt Sinai nor Columbia.

As an adjunct, how rotator heavy are Mt Sinai/Columbia? Is the potential advantage that I get from rotating at one of these programs worth the corresponding disadvantage I get at the other, if my goal is to be accepted to one of the two?

From what i've heard, Columbia is extremely rotator heavy.