Thread by @mattyfred_

If you're a medical student pursuing #ortho, you will almost certainly end up doing #awayrotations...

For M3s, that process is right around the corner!

But for us M4s, aways are over, and now I have nothing but time on my hands 😌

So let's do a thread on away applications 🧵1/

🦴When do you apply for aways?

Typically, you will be applying in the Spring of your 3rd year.

Of the places I applied, the earliest an application opened was in February and the latest was in May, but the majority of programs open applications in March - April. 2/

🦴A quick note for M2s!

The timing of away apps is why I tell M2s interested in ortho that they should aim to do an ortho rotation by Jan/Feb at the latest when scheduling their M3 year.

Ideally, you should know if ortho is definitely for you before you apply for aways. 3/

🦴How do you apply for aways?

The majority of programs utilize a website called VSLO. It's run by AAMC, so it will feel familiar after applying to medical school, and it has the same exact feel as... ERAS😱

(It used to be called VSAS so if anyone says that they mean VSLO.) 4/

🦴How do you use VSLO?

First you will need access, which you get through your school. Every medical school has a person responsible for setting up their student's account access.

If you're unable to figure out who that is at your school, VSLO support can provide a contact. 5/

I got VSLO access in January, and was probably the first in my class to do so (*cough* *cough* neuroticism).

Earlier may feel less stressful, but most of my classmates didn't get started until Feb/March and they were all very successful in getting the rotations they wanted. 6/

Once you have VSLO access you can search the catalog by institution and by elective. Institution pages will have some info, but the majority will be found under electives.

Unfortunately, the electives are not posted year round so you need to wait for programs to post these. 7/

🦴So what should you do until then?

I would recommend making an excel sheet of programs you're interested in, along with application dates and requirements, which you can sometimes find on a program's website (PDs, this is helpful!).

Keep this updated and check it regularly! 8/

If a program's website isn't helpful, you can consider politely emailing the program coordinator to ask about dates and requirements, but they may direct you back to VSLO and tell you to wait.

Keep program coordinator names and emails on your excel sheet to stay organized! 9/

I would also recommend talking to a mentor in ortho about which programs you should consider.

They will know far more about the program landscape than you, and can give you advice tailored to your application.

S/o to my mentor @SaraEdwardsMD who guided me through this! ❤️ /10

In addition to a mentor, I would suggest utilizing one of the most consistent resources in medical school — the students in the class above you.

They can tell you what they thought of places they rotated at, and should know any specifics about how your school handles aways. /11

Finally, I would HIGHLY recommend reaching out to residents at programs you're considering.

I spoke to residents at every program I considered and this significantly influenced my decision making. They know their own program far better than a mentor or an M4 who has rotated. /12

Interestingly, of the four places that I rotated at, I connected with residents at three of them through Twitter... (Twitter isn't all bad?🤔)

Multiple residents even put me in touch with residents they knew at other programs. Ortho is a small and awesome community. 13/

The most important advice I have is to submit your away applications ASAP, as some programs may be first come first serve.

I was late in submitting one application due to a required LoR, which took time to get, and that ended up being the one away rotation I didn't get.🤷‍♂️ 14/

First come first serve is the reason why it's so crucial to stay organized when it comes to dates and requirements with a list of programs.

Do your best to stay on top of the dates and requirements to prevent any delays and put yourself in the best position possible. 15/

🦴Requirements to consider:

📝LoR, this is the big one to know ahead of time because you need to give writers time
📸Professional photo
📜Updated CV (Always Be Updating)
🦠AAMC immunization form (Flu, Covid, TB, Hep B, tDap, Varicella) *

*Most schools focus on Flu/Covid/TB 16/

I was advised to not over-apply to away rotations because unlike residency applications, you actually get most of them you apply for.

In theory, if you over-apply and get accepted by too many and have to turn down an away rotation, you could potentially be burning a bridge. 17/

I don't think that is necessarily true, but the one place I was accepted and then turned down did not happen to offer me an interview.🤷‍♂️

I applied for 1.5x the number of aways I wanted to do, and I think this was an appropriate amount, but defer to your mentors in ortho. 18/

One of the most challenging aspects of this whole process is that it is not standardized.

You are continually applying and hearing back all Spring and rotations often do not line up well with one another. Good luck with that!

(Pictured below: me planning aways last Spring) 19/

The continuous applying and hearing back component is more evidence to apply ASAP to increase the odds that you get your first choices, thereby making scheduling easier.

I think it could also be evidence to apply to less rather than more programs for the sake of simplicity. 20/

For the rotations not lining up well component, I recommend making a block-style calendar where you can Tetris your ideal schedule together. Consider time for Step 2, ERAS, and life.

Here is my block calendar with the program names removed. It's not as complex as it looks! 21/

For advice on strategy (which programs, # of aways, regionality, competitiveness) I would rely on a mentor in ortho rather than a rando on twitter like myself, students in your class, or some toxic spreadsheet that is likely an echo chamber of a small subset of students. 22/

Keep in mind, however, that even the best mentor will not have all the right answers, as this is a chaotic process.

All you can do is your due diligence to plan early, research programs, and seek good advice. And try to face it with excitement — it can be a lot of fun! 23/

To my M3s, M2s, M1s: my DMs are open.

I chose not to post where I rotated, and I never post application stats on the TL, but I'm happy to share anything in private.

There are loads of people, including myself, willing to help you. Congrats on choosing the best specialty! 😉 /24

#OrthoTwitter, if I got anything wrong or missed anything, please let me know. Happy to add and amplify contributions from others, especially from those more experienced than myself.

Thank you to all the people on here who helped me with my aways, you know who you are!

Fin. /25