<p>^I was under impression that year 3 is devoted to “mandatory” rotations. I do not think D. is interested in any. So, basically, as notated above, decision will be based primarily on Step 1 score and academic preferences, so it seems that process is not perfect and will work for those who are interested in those 3rd year specialties, but will not work for others who are interested in something else, but will have to “plunge” into them without sufficient exposure.</p>
<p>At D1’s program, there are ‘specialty interest groups’ for MS1s-MS3s. The interest groups hold mixers, informational programs, offer shadowing and mentoring opportunities. The informational programs have speakers who talk to students about residencies and fellowships, lifestyle issues (and yes, finances too). The specialist-physicians will take interested students under their wing and allow them in-depth exposure to the field and will often help facilitate the scheduling of home and away clinical rotations.</p>
<p>I think it’s a nice chance for students to be able to get a taste of specialty in advance of having to figure what they like at the end of MS3.</p>
<p>D1 has been attending both EM and surgical interest groups regularly and will be having dinner with one of the surgeons at his home this week. (The better to discuss D1’s project for her research thesis–which is a surgical topic.)</p>
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DS mentioned that his program has such groups. He said one of his responsibilities is to invite speakers and host information sessions for interested students on a regular basis but likely not very frequently.</p>
<p>His school cancels all classes (both UG and graduate/professional) today due to Sandy Hurricane. Cancelling classes is a rare event at his school. But some (but not all) med school staff (EMR?) still need to report to work.</p>
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<p>Correct, you still pay your home school’s tuition - to the best of my knowledge, it is just a professional courtesy that LCME schools accept each other’s students for rotations if they have space - no exchange of money takes place. However, schools set different requirements as far as malpractice insurance (you are covered under your home school’s policy, not the away institution), proof of vaccination, etc (but these things tend to be more or less standard between schools). </p>
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<p>Its not an away rotation unless you go to a different school. Just because the doctor’s office isn’t associated with a hospital doesn’t make it an “away rotation”. I’m sure different schools have different policies on compensation for clinical faculty who take students, but I believe the opinion of the AAMC is that schools shouldn’t make a habit out of paying preceptors to take students. This is why US med schools are so annoyed that caribbean schools are paying hospitals millions of dollars to take their students, taking away those spots from their students.</p>
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I would guess this is how these schools run their business. They need to show their perspective students the success rate of their students in landing a resident spot, a part of 'brand" management.</p>
<p>I suspect the quality of residency programs which take in residents is not as even as that of US med schools. But every new doctor needs to go through the process.</p>
<p>Do any of the females have any experience with Dansko clogs? My D said that they are recommended for long days at the hospital, but since they are quite pricey @ $120, I thought I’d see if any of you women have worn them and are they worth the money? Also, any other comfy brands and styles you may know of would be appreciated as well.</p>
<p><a href=“Dansko professional + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Dansko professional + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com;
<p>Not exactly stylish for a 22 year old but…</p>
<p>A good number of surgeons wear Dansko. Probably the most common footwear I’ve seen in the OR.</p>
<p>On an unrelated note, retracting during surgery isn’t easy.</p>
<p>I bought DD a pair as a starting clinical rotation gift, they were highly recommended by other students and she seems happy with them</p>
<p>@GA2012MOM,</p>
<p>SAS shoes are great. Perfect for someone working on their feet all day. Made in San Antonio, Texas. (not China)</p>
<p>[San</a> Antonio Shoes - Products and Styles](<a href=“http://www.sasshoes.com/main/view_styles_catalog.php?catid=2]San”>http://www.sasshoes.com/main/view_styles_catalog.php?catid=2)</p>
<p>I have foot problems and have worn clogs for decades. Dansko are comfy, but some other brands can be too: Merrell, Clarks, Born, Sanita. And even some of the Crocs can be quite comfy if you don’t need much arch and/or heel support.</p>
<p>D1 wears oxfords to clinic since she has tiny, tiny feet (size 5.5 N) and hates clogs. Saddle shoes can surprising comfortable.</p>
<p>I wore Danskos for many years, they are very comfortable and I think hold up well for the cost. </p>
<p>Never knew that’s what SAS stands for!</p>
<p>My D had Born clogs for her 3rd year rotations. I bought them for her even though she didn’t want them and said they were not attractive. Guess what? By early 4th year those clogs are worn out! She said they are “too gross to wear to work any more.” She just bought a pair of Dansko clogs to try though. I have Merrell clogs and really like them, especially after thoroughly broken in.</p>
<p>Warning: This post is by a guy. </p>
<p>Asked D by text what kind of shoes were best for surgery. She said Dansko clogs. "Great for standing. Not for walking. But nothing works after 5 straight hours standing. Danskos wipe off easily with cavity wipes. " </p>
<p>Yuck. I mean double yuck. Gaaaag. Yuck.</p>
<p>My D’s first residency interview is tomorrow, for general surgery. We are nervous for her! Tonight is dinner with all the current residents. Interview day includes separate interviews with the program director, a group of attendings, all the residents, and a psychologist. I did a mock interview with her yesterday by phone asking her common questions candidates are asked. All the candidates being interviewed for this program will be interviewed on the one day. 50 students rotated in surgery there and they are interviewing 13 for 4 spots.</p>
<p>^^^LOL! Which is why my friend give all his new surgical residents a pair of waterproof Red Wing duck boots as a welcome gift.</p>
<p>And on a humorous note…</p>
<p>1) my cat had a growth removed from his back this week. Vet wanted me to bring him back in 18 days to get the stitches removed. (Another office visit! Even more $$) I asked if my D could remove them and got funny looks from the staff—until I mentioned D1’s a med student and former EMT-I. They called the vet in to ask and the vet grudgingly allowed that D1 might be qualified to work on a cat.</p>
<p>2) D1’s roomie–the MD/PhD-- is STILL fainting over giving injections to mice. She’s hit the deck no few than 6 times since June. D1 said the students were giving each other flu shots this past week–practicing clinical skills—and you guessed it. Roomie fainted twice more just holding the syringe over someone’s arm.</p>
<p>GA2012MOM - D also wears Dansko shoes. She is on her feet most of the day. She loves them. Hers look new and they are now 2+ years old. And she says they clean up easily… blood, puke, etc. (I don’t really want to know what etc. is! ;)) I finally bought my own pair last winter and I love them, too. I’m only on my feet about six hours a day. I have worn Clark’s for years, but these are much better for me. Ask the shoe store employee to bring out a few different boxes. Sometimes the same size will fit very differently. Also, I wear cotton socks as they fit a little loose. My Danskos were made in Italy.</p>
<p>bookiemom - Wishing your D a wonderful interview day.</p>
<p>I recommend trying on a pair of danskos before you buy. I found them too painful to risk wearing for hours at a time (or to merit spending th at kind of money on them). I’ve tried clogs made by a bunch of different companies, though, and generally like them. Clarks are my favorite when I have to wear clinic clothes. When I’m wearing scrubs, I usually just wear tennis shoes (and did even when I was in the OR on med school rotations, but I wore the shoe covers with them).</p>
<p>S has very narrow feet and the Danskos didn’t work well for him. He’s on a second or third pair of Merrells worn with thick, padded bottom athletic socks.</p>
<p>A crack in the surgery “wall”. 
My balanced life conversational seed I threw out there after our residency discussion here may have taken root.</p>