How do I pick my subIs?

[newapplicant]

Hi guys,
I am in the process of deciding on my subIs and wanted to seek advice on how to pick them. Are there certain criteria you guys follow in picking your subIs?

[Focus]

preference of location. i also factored in wanting a diverse set of subis (by rep at least); one super academic one super clinical and one in between.

[Guest]

go somewhere u want to go, be realistic, spread it out geographically and search old posts on this forum

[Guest]

(01-18-2018, 10:24 PM)Focus Wrote: preference of location. i also factored in wanting a diverse set of subis (by rep at least); one super academic one super clinical and one in between.

Combination of location preference and who you want to get a letter from. If you're from the Northeast but want to match on the west coast you better do an away out there unless you're a superstar from HMS. Also consider who's writing your letter. Big name chair at a fancy program (Berger, Lawton, Brem)? Younger chair at an up and coming program(Levy, Coric)? Will the chair even get to know who you are on the sub-I (Rosenwasser)?

[Guest]

A few factors in no specific order

1) Interest in program-- If you are interested in a program for some particular reason (research opportunities, geographic location, etc), then it will be helpful to do well on a sub-i there. Also can hurt if you perform poorly.
2) Geography-- Want to match in Cali but have been on the east coast your whole life? Do a cali rotation. If you rotate at 2 programs in a specific area, it is a tipoff that you want to stay in that area.
3) Letter Strength-- A good letter from a famous chair means much more than a letter from an unknown chair. Personalized letter better than non-personalized one.
4) Some programs only take their own SubIs in match-- Some programs (UCSF, Washington, MGH, others) pretty much only match people who did a subI. If you're interested in a place like this, go do a subI.
5) SubI experience-- How hard you work, how much you do in the OR, etc. In retrospect, this is less important, but it is more fun to go to a place like Barrow or USC that you can be more involved in the OR.
6) Program type-- Want to match at a top level research program? Rotate at those kind of places. Want to match at a blue-collar clinical workhorse program? Rotate at those kinds of places

[Guest]

Good list above - just a reminder some thoughts...

Some places only take SubIs (make sure to do SubIs at these institutions)
SubIs are a month long interview - don't forget that.

As a senior resident, 40% of medical students hurt their chances, 40% of medical students don't hurt their chances, 20% of medical students look good and lock their spot at given institution. If you think you are a weirdo or aren't sociable...maybe rethink doing a rotation at your favorite program...

[Guest]

(01-21-2018, 05:47 PM)Guest Wrote: Good list above - just a reminder some thoughts...

Some places only take SubIs (make sure to do SubIs at these institutions)
SubIs are a month long interview - don't forget that.

As a senior resident, 40% of medical students hurt their chances, 40% of medical students don't hurt their chances, 20% of medical students look good and lock their spot at given institution. If you think you are a weirdo or aren't sociable...maybe rethink doing a rotation at your favorite program...

What separates someone who does well from an average SubI from a poor performer?

[Guest]

Show up, shut up, and keep up. Being present is probably the most important part of being a sub-I; residents and faculty tend to notice when sub-I's are not around and it can reflect poorly on you. On the flip-side, staying late, i.e., until the last case is finished/patients are tucked away, especially if done consistently will make you look good. Secondly, don't talk too much. Nobody wants you to be a robot, but there are times when it's better to say little or nothing at all. For example, morning rounds when a resident is trying to see a dozen patients, during the difficult part of a case, etc. Recognizing times when it's ok to start a conversation and when it's not is part of the maturity residents and faculty are looking for when determining whether you will be a good resident. Finally, the last one is more difficult to define, but try to figure things out on your own. Don't page a resident to find out where the call room is. In residency, you will often be expected to perform tasks, both menial and important, that you have never done before, and exhibiting the resourcefulness that this requires will make it look like you will be a good addition to the team. Finally, and this should go without saying, don't be a jerk. Hope this helps. Good luck.