Ortho2002
Registered User
Posts: 6
(2/22/01 7:47:57 am)
Reply
Choosing Away Rotations
I have a dilemma. While I believe that my application will be strong next year, I do not think that it will be
strong enough to turn heads at the major programs. Should I do my away rotations at the powerhouse
programs that I really want to get into, or should I focus on a "sure thing" (if there is such a thing!) and
rotate with a less known school? Influencing this decision is the fact that our school does not have a
chairman of ortho to get a letter from (which really sucks!).
slk
Registered User
Posts: 22
(2/22/01 9:23:42 am)
Reply
Re: Choosing Away Rotations
You'd be REAL surprised even with a luke-warm application, how much a great rotation with a great
letter from a big attending can mean. If you feel like you want to try to ensure a lesser program do that,
but do at least one shoot-for-the-stars because you really never know what can happen. But make sure
you get on a good service (ie, some students that rotate at Joint Disease end up on a service at Bellevue
or Tisch, which is not where you want to be to get to know attendings.) Don't sell yourself short from
the start. (How's that for a feel good pep talk?)
hurricane26
Registered User
Posts: 3
(2/22/01 9:31:58 am)
Reply
Home school or power house....
If you only have one month to go away, go to a big name. The people who will read your application will
look at WHO wrote your letters before they even read it. They will read LOR from guys they know and
pass over those they don't.
Registered User
Posts: 6
(2/22/01 7:47:57 am)
Reply
Choosing Away Rotations
I have a dilemma. While I believe that my application will be strong next year, I do not think that it will be
strong enough to turn heads at the major programs. Should I do my away rotations at the powerhouse
programs that I really want to get into, or should I focus on a "sure thing" (if there is such a thing!) and
rotate with a less known school? Influencing this decision is the fact that our school does not have a
chairman of ortho to get a letter from (which really sucks!).
slk
Registered User
Posts: 22
(2/22/01 9:23:42 am)
Reply
Re: Choosing Away Rotations
You'd be REAL surprised even with a luke-warm application, how much a great rotation with a great
letter from a big attending can mean. If you feel like you want to try to ensure a lesser program do that,
but do at least one shoot-for-the-stars because you really never know what can happen. But make sure
you get on a good service (ie, some students that rotate at Joint Disease end up on a service at Bellevue
or Tisch, which is not where you want to be to get to know attendings.) Don't sell yourself short from
the start. (How's that for a feel good pep talk?)
hurricane26
Registered User
Posts: 3
(2/22/01 9:31:58 am)
Reply
Home school or power house....
If you only have one month to go away, go to a big name. The people who will read your application will
look at WHO wrote your letters before they even read it. They will read LOR from guys they know and
pass over those they don't.