Hello, my name is Kellyn Engstrom, and I'm a current fourth year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. Myself and several other members of the PSF Leadership Development Advisory Group came up with a list of tips for pharmacy students who will be selecting their APPE rotations in the upcoming weeks. Please see below for advice and guidance on how to navigate rotation selection. Best of luck to all students taking part in this important process!
ASHP APPE Selection Tips
1. Try to take your interests into account when timing various rotations.
Rotation experiences can help you make an informed decision about where you want to end up after graduation, which will help you focus your efforts as the Midyear Clinical Meeting approaches. It is important to have rotation experience in areas you are particularly interested in, especially if you are still relatively undecided. Practical experience in areas of interest can be extremely useful in refining your career interests.
If you are interested in residency, make sure to try and fit an inpatient, clinical, or ambulatory care rotation before the Midyear meeting. As far as specific postgraduate year 2 (PGY-2) interest areas, don’t stress about this. Validating your interests with a rotation may help narrow your postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residency search down, but it’s generally too early to be thinking about your PGY-2 interest area. It’s very likely that your interests will change as you move through your rotations!
2. Pick a variety of rotation sites.
Pick different types of rotation sites and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. This is your chance to have a wide range of experiences, which will help you find your career path. You may never know that you like something (or even dislike something) until you have the chance to get hands-on experience with it. Although it may be convenient to stick with sites you are more familiar with, many of your most valuable learning experiences will take place at sites where pharmacy practice may be unique and unfamiliar.
3. Talk to current and previous students at your school or college about their experiences.
Talking to current and former students from your school can really help as you make your decisions. They can provide great advice on scheduling your rotations and how to navigate the unique process of rotation selection at your school. It is in your best interest to know the expectations and workflow of each site, in addition to the preceptors’ teaching styles so that you can select ones most suited to your career goals and learning style.
4. If interested in a residency at a particular hospital or institution, rank a rotation at that location.
Completing a rotation at this site can allow you to gain a feel for the culture and priorities of that institution. It can give you some valuable insight into how well it fits what you are looking for out of an organization and potential residency location. Note that completing a rotation at a given site does not necessarily guarantee you an interview or any particular advantage in the residency process at that location.
5. If able, consider taking December and February off from rotations.
December and February are busy months in the residency application process. In December, a fourth-year student is typically traveling and attending the Midyear meeting, putting finishing touches on their PhORCAS application, and writing letters of intent. February is the month when the majority of interviews are conducted. While you may be able to work with your preceptor on altering your schedule for some of these activities, having these months off may minimize the unneeded stress that comes along with applying for a residency.
6. Pick challenging rotations but be kind to yourself.
Although you may want to pick all challenging rotations in your schedule, a healthy balance is important to prevent burn out. Rotations are a full-time job and you want to be able to give your best effort day in and day out. Pick a workload that is comfortable for you. While you are the only one that knows how much you can handle, consider including a challenging rotation. Rotations that challenge you will help you to grow more than just picking a rotation you know will be “easy.” Make every rotation a learning opportunity.
7. If your school does not offer a particular rotation, seek out your own experiences.
Don’t be afraid to seek out a rotation experience that fits a particular interest of yours. Each school or college will have different requirements and limitations for this, so be sure to reach out to the APPE coordinator at your school to determine what steps you will need to take. For example, if you are interested in learning more about professional pharmacy organizations, look into the possibility of completing a rotation at your state organization or a national organization. Additionally, interested students can apply to complete an association management APPE experience offered at ASHP.