1st year med student-> how do I ensure I get into an ER residency?!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
P

pdiddy916

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
99
Reaction score
1
Members do not see this ad.
Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong area but I figured I could get help from those who are currently or soon-to-be ER residents.

I am interested in ER and wanted to know what type of applicant is considered competitive, or actually, what could ensure I have a solid chance of matching.

What percentile do I need to shoot for? (I am currently top 15% but its only been 1 semester)

What type of Step 1 would I need to get to feel good about applying for ER?

I may be doing a surgery research program or non-ER research program this summer, would that be a big negative? ER research is hard to come by.

Any general advice would also be appreciated.

I realize it's way early, but I am the type who is usually applying right before deadlines and trying to do things last minute so this time I want to be more organized and plan out what I need to do the next couple of semesters.
 
Study all the time for the first two years.

Put all your efforts towards doing well on Step I. (~220+)

On your clinicals, show up early, stay late, don't run your mouth, most importantly keep reading, as you won't learn nearly enough just by showing up.

4th year do an EM rotation at your home shop and do at least 1 away rotation. Again the key is to not stick out.

Again keep reading everything you can get your hands on.

Apply broadly, interview at 7-12 places.

You'll match, and then the real fun begins.

The key to residency... show up early, stay late, read everything you can get your hands on.

Once you're done with residency, you start to realize how much you still don't know...again keep reading.
 
pdiddy916 said:
Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong area but I figured I could get help from those who are currently or soon-to-be ER residents.

I am interested in ER and wanted to know what type of applicant is considered competitive, or actually, what could ensure I have a solid chance of matching.

What percentile do I need to shoot for? (I am currently top 15% but its only been 1 semester)

What type of Step 1 would I need to get to feel good about applying for ER?

I may be doing a surgery research program or non-ER research program this summer, would that be a big negative? ER research is hard to come by.

Any general advice would also be appreciated.

I realize it's way early, but I am the type who is usually applying right before deadlines and trying to do things last minute so this time I want to be more organized and plan out what I need to do the next couple of semesters.
Click to expand...

Actual numbers in my opinion:
1. middle of your class and above
2. Step 1 of 225 and above
3. Research in anything is OK
4. Honor your ER rotations
 
Strive to maintain your grades in the high pass - honors range, try to beat the national average with your steps, 220s - 230s should do it. Plan for two aways at the beginning of fourth year and get solid SLORs at each, kick ass in your home EM rotation. Get involved in EM organizations since now and try to shadow for a few shifts. Talk to your EM PD sooner rather than later so he/she gets to know you early.

Also note that EM gets more competitive every year, mostly because people are applying to more and more programs every cycle, compounded by the fact that EM has gotten very popular lately. With that in mind I would apply to as many programs as you can afford at the beginning of the cycle. That will give you the best shot to get enough interviews, later on you can always cancel the excess.

Best of luck.
 
pdiddy916 said:
Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong area but I figured I could get help from those who are currently or soon-to-be ER residents.

I am interested in ER and wanted to know what type of applicant is considered competitive, or actually, what could ensure I have a solid chance of matching.

What percentile do I need to shoot for? (I am currently top 15% but its only been 1 semester)

What type of Step 1 would I need to get to feel good about applying for ER?

I may be doing a surgery research program or non-ER research program this summer, would that be a big negative? ER research is hard to come by.

Any general advice would also be appreciated.

I realize it's way early, but I am the type who is usually applying right before deadlines and trying to do things last minute so this time I want to be more organized and plan out what I need to do the next couple of semesters.
Click to expand...


Stop calling it ER and call it EM.

Its a big pet peeve of many people. We practice Emergency Medicine.. we do not tend to work in Emergency Rooms, but rather Emergency Departments or Centers.

When your done, you can call the practice whatever you want. In the meantime, you dont want to step on the toes of a PD/Chairmen/Mentor who has this pet peeve..
 
KarlPilkington said:
Again the key is to not stick out....
Click to expand...

Also a first year highly interested in EM here...

I've read and heard advise along this line a few times and was wondering if you could clarify the "don't stick out" thing. Is this to say that sticking out as someone who is really interested in EM during an EM rotation could hurt you? Would knowing more and being more enthusiastic than other students on the team get you pegged as a know it all/annoying EM nerd?
 
MRSAful Fate said:
Also a first year highly interested in EM here...

I've read and heard advise along this line a few times and was wondering if you could clarify the "don't stick out" thing. Is this to say that sticking out as someone who is really interested in EM during an EM rotation could hurt you? Would knowing more and being more enthusiastic than other students on the team get you pegged as a know it all/annoying EM nerd?
Click to expand...

Just don't stick out.
 
Don't stick out in a bad way.
Knowing a lot and being enthusiastic is not a bad thing, but sometimes it comes off in an annoying way. Some students spout off knowledge in a way that makes it seem like they are trying too hard to prove themselves.
Also, the residents and attendings are very busy. Sometimes you just have to chill out and let them get their work done.

As for matching in general:
Just do your best in rotations and on your boards.
I don't like to set out specific goals.
Just try to do the best you can.
Obviously it's better if your evals and boards are better, but you are not totally screwed if you have some things that aren't quite perfect.
Just check out "Charting Outcomes in the Match" if you want to see numbers.
 
My #1 suggestion:

Find a mentor.

Find an EM faculty member your connect with and get close to them. Let them know you are interested in EM and let them advise you. See if they have research projects you can get involved with. When they write you a letter they can say they've known you for years rather than met you on your EM rotation. If you know early that's the way to ensure a spot.
 
docB said:
My #1 suggestion:

Find a mentor.

Find an EM faculty member your connect with and get close to them. Let them know you are interested in EM and let them advise you. See if they have research projects you can get involved with. When they write you a letter they can say they've known you for years rather than met you on your EM rotation. If you know early that's the way to ensure a spot.
Click to expand...

I posed a question related to this several weeks ago to no avail--so I figure now is best time to ask. I go to an osteopathic school and finding a mentor has been difficult and trying to find EM research has been more difficult. Do you suggest I (we) just email academic EPs to see if they have anything to offer?

Thanks docB and all other attendings/residents.
 
sylvanthus said:
EMRA has a mentorship program, check into that.
Click to expand...

I would look into EMRA. I used them and they set me up with a mentor. I have emailed them a few times and have gotten a lot of good information and encouragement. Also a source to read your PS before you submit it. I think having someone you can meet with one on one would be ideal, but if that is not possible then EMRA's program is good and will help with the application process
 
EM_Rebuilder said:
Stop calling it ER and call it EM.

Its a big pet peeve of many people. We practice Emergency Medicine.. we do not tend to work in Emergency Rooms, but rather Emergency Departments or Centers.

When your done, you can call the practice whatever you want. In the meantime, you dont want to step on the toes of a PD/Chairmen/Mentor who has this pet peeve..
Click to expand...

Stop saying "your" when you mean "you're." It's a big pet peeve of many people.
 
CaptainSSO said:
Stop saying "your" when you mean "you're." It's a big pet peeve of many people.
Click to expand...

"Saying"? It's written. "Your" and "you're" are homophones, so, when speaking, functionally, there is no difference.

"ER" and "ED" - written OR spoken, is noticeable. And, in this case, applies to a certain subset that may have control over something that another may want. The peeves of anonymous, unknown people has much less gravitas.

Now, if an applicant was to write, say, "Your in charge of an ER program I like", then everyone is (not) happy.

(And, as a final n.b. to lurking grammar geeks, yes, "was" is appropriate, and not "were", as I did not intend the subjunctive.)
 
Apollyon said:
"Saying"? It's written. "Your" and "you're" are homophones, so, when speaking, functionally, there is no difference.

"ER" and "ED" - written OR spoken, is noticeable. And, in this case, applies to a certain subset that may have control over something that another may want. The peeves of anonymous, unknown people has much less gravitas.

Now, if an applicant was to write, say, "Your in charge of an ER program I like", then everyone is (not) happy.

(And, as a final n.b. to lurking grammar geeks, yes, "was" is appropriate, and not "were", as I did not intend the subjunctive.)
Click to expand...

This is what makes the EM forum better than any of the others.
 
TallScrubs said:
I posed a question related to this several weeks ago to no avail--so I figure now is best time to ask. I go to an osteopathic school and finding a mentor has been difficult and trying to find EM research has been more difficult. Do you suggest I (we) just email academic EPs to see if they have anything to offer?

Thanks docB and all other attendings/residents.
Click to expand...

Talk to faculty at the site where you will rotate for EM eventually. They can often help you out. Even if they are not academic they will likely know some academic EPs. Fortunately for you Philadelphia is a big town for academic EM.
 
I do think that letting faculty, PD, assistant PD know that you are interested in the field and the program is a way for them to look out for you and also keep you in mind - this is a way to be seen and heard.
 
Isn't EM the laid back field? What's with all this neuroticism?
 
gro2001 said:
Be interesting.
Click to expand...

The-Most-Interesting-Man-in-the-World.jpg



I already am....
 
It's not neurotic, it's our specialty.

You don't call a cardiologist a "cath lab doc," nor a surgeon an "or doc," because our specialties are defined by our scope of practice... not where we practice.

I am an EP, practicing EM, in an ED and damned proud of it.

ER is a show that ran on NBC for more than a decade.

-t
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Life lessons as an ER doc?
Replies
21
Views
3K
Birdstrike
Birdstrike
N
WANTED: ER Paper Chart Templates
Replies
9
Views
840
emergentmd
E
miamidoc101
  • Question Question
How much do yall work?
2 3
Replies
144
Views
8K
doitalldoc
D
miamidoc101
Medical director of ER stipend
Replies
18
Views
4K
Pudortu
Pudortu
thegenius
AI Tech for the ER
2
Replies
70
Views
5K
EctopicFetus
EctopicFetus
Top