So you decided what specialty you are going into? Congrats! But now what? Well, the next step would be showcasing your interest in your chosen specialty through audition rotations or sub-I’s. In this article, we will discuss the differences between these opportunities, and how they can help you achieve your career goals.
Audition rotations are 2-4 week long rotations at another medical school that 4th year medical students attend in order to showcase their interest in a particular program.
No, audition rotations are not required. Deciding to complete an audition rotation is a personal decision, but should take into account how competitive the desired specialty is, cost of attending an audition rotation, and previous clinical performance during third year rotations. While a great way to showcase interest, poor/average performance may harm one’s chances of receiving an interview or matching at that institution.
Choosing which programs to attend can be overwhelming given the sheer amount of options. Students should consider programs that they are both highly interested in attending, but also are competitive for. Additionally, it is important to consider how many rotators there will be during your rotation, and if you will have the opportunity to obtain a strong letter of recommendation.
Sub-Internships (Sub-I’s) are 4 week long clinical rotations where 4th year medical students will act as an intern resident. These are completed at your home institution, and are typically done early on in your 4th year.
Available Sub-Internships will vary depending on your institution, however, typically these are designed to prepare the student for inpatient care as an intern. These include specialties like internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and OBGYN. Check with your institution to ensure there is a sub-I available to you within your desired field.
If you are pursuing a specialty that does not have a corresponding sub-I, many students will choose to delay their sub-I until after their ERAS application has been submitted. Instead, students use that time to complete a home rotation in their desired field, followed by audition rotations.
