I'm a 2nd year medical student with Urology being my top field of choice at this point and I just found out that I have two weeks to schedule my 3rd year rotations. It looks like I might have to put my Urology (2 week surgical sub-specialty) rotation at the very beginning of the year. I'm pretty worried about looking like a fool in front of the people I most want to impress because of my lack of experience. Should I do what I can to move back the rotation or do you think people will be understanding given that I will have just started 3rd. Thank you and any advice would be much appreciated.
They'll be understanding but if you can push it back you should b/c it will be a better rotation for you if you have more clinical experience and already know how to do stuff. That said, the point of the 2 week rotation during 3rd year is really so YOU can figure out whether you like urology. You don't really need to impress them right now, you can save that for your 1 month sub-I that you'll do later (if you decide you like the field). Best of luck!
Could actually benefit you. They know its early in the year and will expect a little less of you...which means if you are well prepared it will impress them even more. If you show up enthusiastic and eager to learn...know you patients, read up on cases, and ask questions, you will be fine. It might actually be a good thing to meet them early because you might be able to seek out some new mentors and find some research projects to work on early in the year, which would be very helpful. Doing it early also gives you an opportunity to return later in the year to see more cases and show more interest.
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the advice. I have another question for you all. I did some nueroimaging research last summer and got a publication out of it. With a few months of work I'd probably be able get out another. Would it be better to bag my current research and try to find something in Urology or continue with what I've got and get my name on another paper even though the field is so far removed from Urology.
You are in an enviable position. First of all, as stated a number of times before, no one expects much from a urology rotator in terms of urology knowledge. It is a lightly taught (not a single lecture at my med school) during the pre-clinical years, pelvic anatomy is ignored in anatomy lab. So knowledge-wise, there are only some basics that every MD should know eventually (not necessarily weeks 1-2 of MS3), and that is what you will learn in the mini rotation. You are in a nice position because you know early that you want urology. You will establish relationships with residents and attendings early. This is huge. You can probably get your name on a number of projects. Make sure they know you want to do urology and ask EVERYONE if they have projects you can help with. This is huge, I am jealous. I didn't do uro til April of MS3.
If you know your neuro work will result in a publication, keep at it. I had 2 pubs in cardio, 1 in ortho, and 2 in uro....I think I got a lot of interviews because of these. Regardless of what the paper is in, publications show programs that you are 1.) able to seek out opportunities and work with different people, and 2.) are able to be productive in elective research while balancing a very busy schedule.