Away Rotations 101�

Hassan Farooq, MD

hassanfar009@gmail.com

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General Advice

• Step 2 CK
• As orthopaedics continues to become more competitive and step 1 has gone P/F, it is imperative to apply with your step 2 CK completed

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• Vacations
• Highly recommend saving for interview season; interview heavy months include December and January

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• General Schedule
• Best to schedule home ortho sub-i between April-June and follow with away rotations if possible
• Away rotation can be scheduled between May – September if you want to get letters of recommendation from your rotation; later rotation still allow you to get to know a program and get potential interviews; Thanksgiving is a good cut-off

Home Ortho Sub-I

• Recommended to complete prior to away rotations

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• Historically, students are recommended to complete a trauma rotation to best prepare for away rotations �
• Other rotations – think about resident exposure, facetime with PD/APD/Chair/other faculty involved in resident selection

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Why Do Away Rotations?

• Statistically, 70%-75% of successfully-matched orthopaedic applicants match at a program where they rotated or at their home program

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• Highly recommended and almost “required”

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• Potential For Letters of Recommendation

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• Opportunity to explore different types of programs with various philosophies, different demographics, and locations

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• Early interview practice/exposure

VSLO

• Application system through AAMC

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• Will need things such as immunization titers, TB tests, COVID vaccinations etc. ahead of time
• Try to get these done around January/February, sooner if possible
• Also check all other program requirements (some require HBV or TB testing within a certain time frame – e.g. within 1 calendar year of the time you rotate.)

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• Always check program’s websites for supplemental materials
• LOR’s
• Additional application questions, photos, etc.
• Contact info, start and stop dates, etc.

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• Note – many program rotations schedules and dates do not line-up with your medical school’s rotation schedule

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• Coordinate with your school coordinator to ensure that all documents are released appropriately and in a timely fashion, etc. You may need to send a friendly reminder to your administration staff ☺

Away Rotation Etiquettes

• Acceptances are on a first-come first-serve basis most (~90%) of the time

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• Once you accept, unless you have a valid reason (emergency), you should not revoke/decline. Risk for DNR!

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• Best to apply only to a few initially – 2-3 per time block

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• If you decline an offer, be sure to notify the program with enough time that they can consider other applicants

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• Ask mentors to reach out on your behalf to help secure rotations

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• No more than 2 students from the same program to an away rotation (never at the same time)�

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Away Rotation Interviews

• Often have residency interview at the end of your rotation

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• Be prepared! Know your current CV, rest of your application, and have your PS written

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• Great opportunity to practice for Interview Season

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• Most keep rolling list of applicants that tend to favor rotators

DNR Moves/Don’ts

• Do not cancel accepted rotations�
• Do not trash-talk other students, residents, home program, etc �
• Don’t do anything that would get you noticed in a negative way. Word travels fast.�
• While not everyone is expected to “go out” or socialize at every available moment, try to engage with the residents, faculty, and program as much as you can!

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• Programs are equally as concerned (if not more concerned for some programs) with your fit in the program culture than how you perform. Some may argue they would rather have someone who is a good fit over someone who already has advanced surgical knowledge/skills.

Letters of Recommendation Tips

• Most programs require 3-4 letters of recommendation�
• Most require ALL to be authored by orthopaedic surgeons�
• Students will generally have 1-2 from their home institution and then 1 letter from each away. Some also have all from their home institution…go with your strongest 3-4 letters�
• Some students try to tailor LORs to specific programs – great to do if you have more than 4-5 letters total. �
• Very few require one authored by a non-orthopaedic surgeon. Check program websites in advance for information on topics such as this. (UCSF requires a non-surgeon letter for example) �
• Important to set expectations early and let staff know that you are pursuing a letter of recommendation early in the rotation – this will often affect how they treat you, what they ask you, and what they expect of you on the rotation�
• Stay on staff that agree to write you letters. Some do it immediately; some take days to weeks to months to write the letters. Send friendly reminders! ☺ �
• Some ortho programs require SLORs (see AOA website). Don’t forget to mention this to letter writers if applicable. �
• Always waive rights to read the letters. Never ask a staff if you can read them.

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