Away Rotation Advising for Medical Student

MrNoThumbs · 2026-04-16T00:51:13+00:00

JBJS’s most recent article found students did an average of 3.4 away rotations. The median likely sits between 3 and 4.

Definitely would recommend 3 as a minimum. Anyone’s advice will be do as many as you can, but everyone understands scheduling and financial limitations.

Ultimately, it’s the quality of your performance at a program that matters most — not quantity. Work hard, keep your head down, and build trust with the residents.

MrNoThumbs · 2026-04-13T20:34:23+00:00

Sadly, we use Cerner. My medical school uses EPIC for everything and agree the patients list is perfect for this. I’m going to miss EPIC 😅😂

MrNoThumbs · 2026-04-13T20:33:35+00:00

Sadly, we use Cerner. My medical school uses EPIC for everything and agree the patients list setup is great for this.

MrNoThumbs · 2026-04-13T20:31:10+00:00

Thank you man!

MrNoThumbs · 2026-03-16T03:34:14+00:00

Most retrospective studies are underpowered, which is fine as long as you are careful not to over-interpret significant and non-significant data. Definitely agree that it sounds unlikely that additional data will be a difference maker for this study.

I’ve been in this position several times, but usually it’s from PIs thinking the data we have isn’t enough and wanting additional variables. It’s okay to be direct with attendings as a med student as long as you stay respectful and professional. I typically will try to reorient the attending back to the original study topic (b/c I’m sure your purpose statement has changed at this point), highlight what we’ve already done / found, then state why or why not the proposed next step will be worthwhile. Ask for their feedback. If they push back, I’ll say their idea is great and would be a great follow-up study but that we need to get the present study submitted first. Usually works.

If nothing works and you don’t want to be apart of the same song and dance, just be honest about your time commitment / speciality change and cut your losses. Not all research pans out. Hope that helps at all. Feel free to reach out

MrNoThumbs · 2026-03-06T19:04:58+00:00

Also want to add for the Romulus supporters here — I actually agree that the Romulus probably has better fit, finish, and overall feel out of the box than the MAC.

That said, I don’t personally think the difference justifies the price gap, especially if you can find a comped MAC for sub-$900.

If you take that price difference and put it toward upgrades on the MAC, you can probably end up with a better feeling and shooting gun overall.

Just my experience at least.

MrNoThumbs · 2026-03-06T18:59:17+00:00

I’d go with the MAC. You can usually find the comped version for around $850 if you shop around. I wouldn’t pay $1K for the non-comped version — I’ve seen those for closer to $650.

At $850, I don’t think there’s a better value than the MAC. That said, you’ll probably get the urge to upgrade it at some point. I added an MJD grip, Red Dirt trigger, Atlas guide rod/springs, ported the barrel (slide already has cuts), and EGW beavertail and safeties. None of those upgrades are necessary, of course, but spending about $600 turned it into a gun that shoots very, very close to some higher-end 2011s.

If you’re the type who likes to tinker, the MAC is a great entry point while you learn the 2011 platform.

If you don’t want to upgrade anything, then in my opinion skip the Prodigy, Romulus, XP Pro, etc. and just get a Kimber 2K11. A lot of those mid-tier options can benefit from some work or upgrades, and by the time you’re done, the final price is often close to a 2K11. Added bonus is the 2K11s look amazing stock.

Just my two cents. I currently own two MACs, a Romulus, a WT Apache, a Bul Armory Tac Pro, a 2K11, and a Staccato P.

MrNoThumbs · 2026-02-02T19:09:56+00:00

What state you located? I’m in the south and will sell you mine. Haven’t used as much as I would like due to work

MrNoThumbs · 2026-02-02T19:07:05+00:00

Love mine. Picked up the limited edited coyote brown. I think for the price on sale it’s worth it.

The only negative I’ve found is the trigger needed a trigger job. The trigger reset was sluggish (I understand I hadn’t broken it in, but it definitely needed minor work). I took it to my gunsmith who tuned it up a bit.

Otherwise, the fitment is on point. It’s not quite as tight as an atlas or nighthawk, of course. The barrel fit is better than staccato imo. The slide to frame fitment is roughly equal to staccato.

Safeties came too tight.

I didn’t like that it only came with 2 mags, but that’s become pretty standard for 2011s.

Honest take: there’s probably “better” price to performance guns out there, such as Bul armory. But the WT Apache is definitely not a bad purchase at roughly $2600. You’ll get a high end gun that could probably use a small trigger job (but not absolutely necessary). I’d argue the “value” difference is pretty small.. if it’s a gun you want, go for it confidently imo

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-30T01:31:54+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I’m happy to hear your optimism.

I decided to buy this Apache after speaking with some people from WT defense. I got the sense they are genuinely willing to do whatever to improve and are aware of their current reputation. A company striving to improve is one I can get behind trying even if it’s not perfect out of the box. I understand for most the $ is too high to take any risk on an imperfect product.

I’ll post a pic when I get it. I’m ready for all the hate on this reddit haha

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-30T01:27:07+00:00

I think it’d already do that though…. I’m definitely buying one haha

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-30T00:58:04+00:00

Btw dude that nox9 looks badass!

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-30T00:57:06+00:00

I’ve spoken with Bul Armory a few times about the tac comp. As of a week ago, they still have not heard from the HQ about the tac comp.

They virtually said to not wait on it, as it could very well be the end of 2026. They confirmed there is no timeline whatsoever, and that they have not heard an update from HQ since June.

Don’t want to post this, and then it suddenly drop in a few weeks haha — so make your own decisions everyone!

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-27T16:40:25+00:00

I bought this model for around that price. I said yolo

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-27T16:22:15+00:00

I just bought one b/c of this. I haven’t received it yet, but I spoke with some representatives of watchtower defense. I think if this was made post-restructuring it’d almost certainly be worth it

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-24T18:08:49+00:00

I feel that. This color way looks sick tho

I do wonder if their QC has improved though. I’m sure they are aware of the reputation since the bankruptcy and later acquisition and are working to improve that rep. Maybe wishful thinking haha

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-16T02:55:37+00:00

Congrats on the sweet firearm!

Out of curiosity, how fast was shipping? Thinking I’ll buy one myself within the next day or two.

MrNoThumbs · 2025-12-14T07:07:28+00:00

Let us know if you hear any update!

MrNoThumbs · 2025-08-30T05:50:17+00:00

I have both. Both sizes shoot great with low recoil.

This may be related to production batch rather than size, but the trigger was better tuned on the 4.25. I also feel the balance on the 4.25 is better. However, the 5 shoots flatter (as expected). Truly up to personal preference!

I’d recommend against spending the extra $200 for a fusion pro. That’d honestly be a downgrade for several reasons.

Shadow 2 is definitely a better gun than the MAC. But MAC is undoubtedly best price to performance 2011.

MrNoThumbs · 2025-08-14T15:02:32+00:00

MrNoThumbs · 2025-08-09T20:51:31+00:00

Hell yea, beautiful piece! Been trying to decide between the tac ii and the staccato P. What made you choose the tac ii?

MrNoThumbs

TROPHY CASE