Audition rotations. Also known as “away rotations” or “sub-Is” (short for sub-interns).
These rotations are rotations that you can do during your 4th-year of medical school with residency programs that you are interested in. Osteopathic schools typically refer to them as “audition rotations,” but you’ll definitely hear all 3 terms. Osteopathic schools push these rotations more. My school, for example, recommended that we do as many as we could get. Honestly, I personally think that 3 is a good amount (or maximum amount).
So what exactly do you do on these rotations, and why do them?
You are basically just doing a 4th-year rotation, but the idea is that you are an “acting intern” and are sort-of expected to perform at the level of an intern (first-year resident). The point of doing them is a) for you to rotate with the program and see how you like it, and b) so you can prove yourself, make a good impression, and hopefully get an interview with the program you are rotating at.
The reason I say 3 max: they are EXHAUSTING. You are expected to get there before the interns, leave after the interns, and have a smile on your face 24/7. You work SO much, and you are learning because you are really NOT at the level of an intern knowledge-wise.
I guess they are good practice for residency, but once you get to residency you don’t have to worry about getting a residency…so that stress is off, but you also have the added responsibility of actually making medical decisions as a physician.
All in all…I am on my second “audition,” and I am exhausted. And I am getting a little taste of what residency will be like and it is terrifying. A little exciting, but also terrifying.
