Thread: Ireland or Kern for Clinicals?

Clinicals are still a ways off for us, but I know I will be the one doing the apps and research, so I am trying to get ahead of the game.

My hubby is pretty set on specializing in Ped Cardiology (non surgical). He has done some internships, is pretty familiar with it already, and has a brain like a bear-trap, so I know that unless he is horrified by something in the field he hasn't seen before he will not change his mind.

Does it matter for his core rotations where he goes? We would love Ireland, but our second choice is Kern. After that, we are open to whatever will get him a good residency spot.

Is there a particular place that is a good elective site for Ped Cardio? How much does the core site matter when applying for electives?

I am open to all advice.
Thanks!!

Try also posting here:

http://groups.msn.com/aucspousesclub-clinicalsciences

and see if one of the spouses out there can give you some tips?

cores don't matter as much, some people make them out to be this huge deal but you don't have your token yet and can't request a LOR with the waiver sheet so if you do cores in europe i would say have him do a FP (to get used to soap notes and orders, prescriptions etc) and either rads or neuro (to be more familiar with the diagnostic tests) elective in the states to get used to the US system then do IM elective at a site with many AUC residents/students like kern, providence, etc. going into something competitive is tough and you can increase your chances at a place that is familiar with your school. at least thsi si what has been passed down from the grads

by the time you get to clinicals there might be no kern or ireland---so i think you should wait a bit and see what happens, never know----clinical spots change frequently

skipper

Of all the clinical sites AUC has, Kern and Waterford are two of the most secure. That being said, if fewer and fewer students choose the Europe sites, we may lose them. I spoke with the Europe clinical director and he said that we lost one UK hospital because too few students chose the UK.

even though you can't 'officially' get a letter of rec. from someone without your 'token from ERAS (or something like that), I have asked for one from my surgical attending and he was more than happy to write one. Here's what he said he'd do.
He will write the letter, and save it. When I apply for ERAS, he said to contact him via email or through his office and he'll give me his address to mail my 'form' into him and he'll send out the letter of rec. at that time.

Just a FYI for people who may be wondering how it works.

yes that is what i am doing also with IM, i geared this response as if they were going to ireland and letting them know that its not detrimental to the application process. as for LOR's you can work it out with the doc or with the hospital. Providence is great, the lor gets put in your student folder and sent out when you provide the form.

Originally Posted by rrod

yes that is what i am doing also with IM, i geared this response as if they were going to ireland and letting them know that its not detrimental to the application process. as for LOR's you can work it out with the doc or with the hospital. Providence is great, the lor gets put in your student folder and sent out when you provide the form.

hey rrod or anyone else: can you please tell me about this form needed for LOR's? thanks!

after you have your token you can sign up with eras. there is a form that you print out that has all your info including your eras number and you sign waiving your right to see the LOR. the doctor then attaches it to the LOR and sends it in. if you don't have your number you can't sent it in so its useless unless you find someone willing to hold it for you until you have your number a year from now and mail it then....

Originally Posted by rrod

after you have your token you can sign up with eras. there is a form that you print out that has all your info including your eras number and you sign waiving your right to see the LOR. the doctor then attaches it to the LOR and sends it in. if you don't have your number you can't sent it in so its useless unless you find someone willing to hold it for you until you have your number a year from now and mail it then....

Horribly confusing.... You all have as many acronyms and special terms as the military!! ERAS, 'tokens', blahblah. I am really feeling like a stereotypical blonde here.
That said, you guys have given me some really helpful info. It's nice to know that being adventurous (going abroad when you don't have to) isn't discriminated against when applying for rotations and residencies. I'll just keep 'lurking' to see if I can catch on to the lingo. Maybe I'll chime in once in a while to try to play the buzz-word game and show off my new skills.