What you need to know during 3rd year

I was speaking with some classmates about things it would be helpful to know that no one ever tells you.


1. When to apply and look for away rotations:

Early Early Early. As soon as you have any inkling of an idea what you want to do with the rest of your life. The away rotation has a few roles. You get to experience a program you are interested in, the program gets a preview of what an awesome resident you will be, it can also be a source of some recommendation letters. Places like Mayo clinic have a lengthy application process: including personal statement, letters of recommendation and even immunization records. The earlier you start,the sooner you can go. Some places have deadlines and some merely say 4 weeks before you plan to start.


2. How to schedule your 4th year.

No one tells you anything about 3rd year, why would 4th year be any different? When the deadline comes to submit your schedule, at least schedule your acting internships - those are the hardest to change later. There are two theories to planning your schedule. Theory 1 is to take lots of subspecialty rotations such as cardiology, nephrology, etc. which will really prepare you to be a star PGY-1 resident. Theory 2 is that you will be doing those things as a PGY-1 resident so have fun, do things you will never do again. If you have the option of vacation, take it. Speaking of which... Vacation is best utilized for step 2 studying and testing, and over Christmastime/early Jan when most interviews take place. The following rotation is best to schedule a more flexible rotation such as ER where you plan your own hours or Radiology if you are interested. There are so many options to choose from. Pick the ones that will benefit you the most and not lead to burn out before you start he hardest (but salaried) 3 or 4 years of your life in residency.

3. When to apply for your Step CK and CS exams.

Again, Early. Today is March 5th and there are no testing times for CS in July. Apply early and register early in order to secure your preferred testing time. That being said, CS registration is nice, because you can change your date up to __ weeks before your date with no penalty. This means you can wait for an earlier date to pop up. The dates have so many spots allocated for US students and so many Foreign students. If all the spots aren't filled, the remaining spots become open to anybody. This means that extra openings are possible, you just have to keep your eye out and check the site often. CS is best taken after a clinical type rotation, where you are used to seeing and taking care of common complaints. (such as ER, family practice, internal med...) CK is best taken ASAP after 3rd year, when you are still studied up from your shelf exams.

4. Giving presentations

Never apologize for your work. When you are presenting, you must assume that you are the expert and speak with that authority. (I know that is hard when you are speaking to people that pimp you day in and day out and make you feel like an idiot i the process.) Use graphs, pictures, comic relief. Lists are boring, all the non-pertinent findings of your detailed H&P are boring, glossing over the brief overview of a topic (I think) is boring. It is nice to learn something new, interesting and potentially ground breaking - so always look at the current literature to see where the future is headed regarding your topic.

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