[2019-2020] Emergency Medicine Application Thread

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attitudeofgratitude said:
My B I maybe should have been clearer in my writing.


I will have two SLOES by sept 15th. But I will not have an additional non SLOE by then. Will any programs care that the total number of letters I have by then is 2 and not 3?
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I wouldn’t worry about it. Some programs don’t consider your app complete without three letters (not necessarily all SLOEs), it is likely the minority and with a third sloe coming early October I would say that is a non issue. Two SLOEs sept 15 and a third one coming in October is a great position to be in.
 
I've never understood the point of that non-SLOE, especially when the feedback from program's has traditionally been that they don't even care about it (mainly because it's not from a colleague in the ED).
 
attitudeofgratitude said:
My B I maybe should have been clearer in my writing.


I will have two SLOES by sept 15th. But I will not have an additional non SLOE by then. Will any programs care that the total number of letters I have by then is 2 and not 3?
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I’m shooting to have three total letters by 9/15. But I think it’s more crucial to have three by 10/1. For example:

Harbor UCLA will not review applications until you have three letters.

Source: Application | Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine
 
Just got step 2 score of 258, trying to gauge how much more competitive this number makes me....

DO, step 1 upper 230s, geographies in mid Atlantic and south east, trying to unlock Texas / out west. 3 sloes, probably 2 top 1/3 sloes, 1 honored, one still pending.
 
workhardoverall said:
Wanted to send you a PM but your set-up doesn’t allow for it. In a very good position given your SLOEs if those really are your outcomes. Your grid seems to be all over at the moment but shouldn’t have any geo problems. Is school mid Atlantic or SE?
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Pmed you
 
20Hopeful16 said:
I’m shooting to have three total letters by 9/15. But I think it’s more crucial to have three by 10/1. For example:

Harbor UCLA will not review applications until you have three letters.

Source: Application | Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine
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I would definitely recommend having theee total LORs for programs that require three total letters (two SLOEs and one non-SLOE letter, or three SLOEs if that’s what you did but nobody requires three SLOEs). It’s ironic because the non-SLOE letter is not really valued that much, but if a program requires three letters then that’s what you should do. I’m actually not sure why we require three total letters, but I know that this is not atypical of other program requirements.
 
Stephanopolous said:
I don't believe so. I'm not even submitting a non-sloe

Maybe I have it totally wrong but I thought we were only required to have SLOE’s and we can do a traditional LOR but it isn’t necessary.
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I am doing same thing. 3 letters, all SLOEs. I think we have it right! :]
 
Aliem has great podcasts on filling out ERAS that include info like how much detail to put in certain sections, what matters most, dos/don’ts, etc. The podcasts are a panel of program directors from good EM programs answering questions about the process. Highly recommend.
 
gomer1234 said:
Aliem has great podcasts on filling out ERAS that include info like how much detail to put in certain sections, what matters most, dos/don’ts, etc. The podcasts are a panel of program directors from good EM programs answering questions about the process. Highly recommend.
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You're amazing
 
gomer1234 said:
Aliem has great podcasts on filling out ERAS that include info like how much detail to put in certain sections, what matters most, dos/don’ts, etc. The podcasts are a panel of program directors from good EM programs answering questions about the process. Highly recommend.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for telling us about this. I have tried googling it and went to the Aliem site but I can't find it. Can you please post a link?
 
sweetsunshine said:
Thank you so much for telling us about this. I have tried googling it and went to the Aliem site but I can't find it. Can you please post a link?
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I use the podcast app on iPhone. ALIEM is Academic Life in Emergency Medicine and the series is called "EM Match Advice". If you just search either of those on the podcast app it should be easy to find. I believe they are available on Soundcloud as well. If you want to watch the videos (dont really add value over listening to pod + you have to keep your phone/browser open to listen) here is a link EM Match Advice Archives | ALiEM
 
gomer1234 said:
I use the podcast app on iPhone. ALIEM is Academic Life in Emergency Medicine and the series is called "EM Match Advice". If you just search either of those on the podcast app it should be easy to find. I believe they are available on Soundcloud as well. If you want to watch the videos (dont really add value over listening to pod + you have to keep your phone/browser open to listen) here is a link EM Match Advice Archives | ALiEM
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it <3
 
Is there any consensus among PDs on the impact SVI scores on interview/ranking? Scored 1 point below average. Still waiting on CK score but app otherwise very competitive.
 
Torsion said:
Is there any consensus among PDs on the impact SVI scores on interview/ranking? Scored 1 point below average. Still waiting on CK score but app otherwise very competitive.
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I was told by one residency program that they only really raise an eyebrow if the score is really high or really low.
 
Lmao. Got my score back. I literally did EVERYTHING people wrote about that got them great scores in years past. I’m not trying to gloat, I did not mess up on a single thing and met every marker they asked for on the questions I had. Still only got one point above average. The SVI IS LITERALLY the worst thing that has ever been thought of for residency applications. It’s LITERALLY a byproduct and microcosm of our society today with “feel good” actions and corruption. I give it 2 more years until you’ll see $600 price points to take it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mihirtak said:
HOW To make edits to the spreadsheet?
Click to expand...

Was there something specific that you wanted to edit? I can help you change something if so. I am trying for the most part to follow the template from previous years. You can submit forms for the information on most pages and it will automatically upload from the form (look for the bright green links). The chat page is open for any discussions and you can suggest improvements on the main page. If it's left open for everyone to edit then things will be changed/deleted either intentionally or inadvertently.
 
ελπίδα said:
The SVI IS LITERALLY the worst thing that has ever been thought of.
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I can think of, LITERALLY, hundreds of things worse, and there are, LITERALLY, millions of people on the planet right now in worse situations.

Maybe you might want to qualify your statement. In the whole, it doesn't sound like you are being intentionally hyperbolic.
 
ελπίδα said:
Lmao. Got my score back. I literally did EVERYTHING people wrote about that got them great scores in years past. I’m not trying to gloat, I did not mess up on a single thing and met every marker they asked for on the questions I had. Still only got one SD above average. The SVI IS LITERALLY the worst thing that has ever been thought of. It’s LITERALLY a byproduct and microcosm of our society today with “feel good” politics and corruption. I give it 2 more years until you’ll see $600 price points to take it.
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I mean this makes sense right? Like statistically? You scored better than 84% of exam takers...
 
Apollyon said:
I can think of, LITERALLY, hundreds of things worse, and there are, LITERALLY, millions of people on the planet right now in worse situations.

Maybe you might want to qualify your statement. In the whole, it doesn't sound like you are being intentionally hyperbolic.
Click to expand...
Sounds "teachable"
 
I meant one point (Not a standard Deviation). My mistake in that part
 
20Hopeful16 said:
I got a 14 on the svi. bottom sixth percentile. I’m freaking out over it.
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bro I got a 12, wasn't nervous or anything, answered the questions thoughtfully. My grade is so contrary to how I actually interview I can't help but to laugh... but I'm freaking out too.

Was pretty relaxed during the SVI, didn't add any extra enthusiastic pep, probably effed myself for not selling out.
 
Champagne_Tap said:
I did 4 EM auditions, assigned the first 3/4 to my ERAS (3rd one was done mid-October). You'll get interviews with 2, but for me, that 3rd SLOE was to make me competitive in a particular geographic region. I didn't end up sending my 4th SLOE (done mid-Nov), but I got an interview at that institution as a result (they didn't do exit interviews for all their rotators), and matched at this program.

So, I would say that 4 SLOE's are definitely overkill, UNLESS you think it will make you more competitive at those specific programs at which you are rotating. In my specific situation, that 4th SLOE was hugely important. In yours, it may be as well - treat it like the precious gold that it is.

They might have some marginal benefit in getting you interviews in the geographic area, but I think that's more of a crapshoot.
Click to expand...

I am doing something very similar to this and had a question for you. I will have 2 SLOEs in by 9/15, with my 3rd by 10/1. Will this hurt my chances at receiving early interview offers because I will not have the 3 total LOR uploaded by 9/15? Side note: very similar situation as you as far as number of rotations and the fourth program scenario being somewhere I am really excited about going. They really want me to upload their SLOE in early November (also historically they write incredible SLOEs if you rock their rotation) which I am going to do, meaning I will have all 4 audition rotation SLOEs uploaded by early November.

Feel free to PM me, I’d love to talk.
 
Got a 21 on the SVI, which is actually better than I did last year (about average). Ironically, I think I completely fabricated stories for like half the questions, whereas I was more or less relied completely on true stories last year. The SVI is such BS...I guess you get rewarded if you act like a sociopath.
 
ελπίδα said:
In the place of SDN, the SVI is one of the worst things ever contrived for applying to residency.
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If SDN is that bad, there are two things you can do: leave, and just forget it it, or, much preferred, make it better with your input and posts! I hope* you can!


* This person's username means "hope" in Greek, or so Google translate tells me.
 
ελπίδα said:
You're missing the entirety of what several other people also just posted in agreement. SVI is garbage. Trash. Idiotic and soon to be money grabbing. You think the AAMC is just going to magically pay for a third party company to keep grading this work or to use the software for the interview? I "hope" your gold donor status and attending status isnt too far removed from actual medical education to realize it is useless and trash
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Your insults are excessive and wholly unnecessary
 
So just a clarification before 9/15... the general consensus is that you WILL get interview invites with only a total of 2 LOR, even at schools that require a total of 3, because they assume you’ll have a SLOE on the way early October?
 
If we submit our application now and a letter comes in after the submission but before 9/15 how does that work? Can we still assign it to programs or would we have to update each program that we have that additional letter?
 
How are y'all coming up with your application list? We have great advisors at our school (at least I think so, they certainly mean well and care about our success), but each advised me to apply to a different # of programs (anywhere from 15 to 45). My classmates are having the same issue with very variable advice. My app: STEP1/2 in the 250's, US MD, midwest, 3 SLOE's uploaded by Sept 15 (both aways completed in the midwest and southeast), tons of research and pubs, involvement in EMRA, etc.

I have a pretty top heavy list, with apps all over the country, so I'm thinking I should have some backups, but whenever I try to go over a specific list with anyone, I get a "Looks good! Go for it!" without anyone actually being willing to go over program by program to see which places make the most sense.

I guess my question is, if you apply to a lot of bigger "names" outside of your region, despite having an overall strong application, should you by default just apply to all the programs in your region as well to be safe?
 
Stephanopolous said:
If we submit our application now and a letter comes in after the submission but before 9/15 how does that work? Can we still assign it to programs or would we have to update each program that we have that additional letter?
Click to expand...

We cannot see your application until September 15th so any additional letters you assign to us before then will be visible on September 15th when we open your file. Anything you add after the application cycle has started, technically we do not get updates on and may miss. That said, it would be wayyy to early to e-mail programs if you have a new SLOE on September 16th, since people are going to be doing much of the reviewing after October 1st when the MSPE comes out (at which point we would see a LOR with a newer timestamp next to it). Any substantial application-changing updates after (arbitrarily-chosen date) October 15th-ish or so, probably would be worth e-mailing the program coordinator because your file might already have been reviewed. We get over a thousand applicants each year, so finding updates on any individual's application is essentially impossible unless it's brought to our attention. The balance, which is why it is hard to pin down an exact date where you should e-mail, is in being overly eager to e-mail early on in the application cycle versus not updating us on an important change in your own application.
 
skip459 said:
So just a clarification before 9/15... the general consensus is that you WILL get interview invites with only a total of 2 LOR, even at schools that require a total of 3, because they assume you’ll have a SLOE on the way early October?
Click to expand...

There will not be a guaranteed answer to this; it depends on the program. Programs sometimes make filters to only view "complete" applications, which can have complex rule-sets. If a program decided to have their filter include number of LORs 3 or 4, it would filter out any applicants that do not meet that criteria. However, it is unlikely that most programs would do that, but we don't know what every PD does. To be on the hyper-safe side, I usually recommend that my subinterns have a total of three letters assigned to programs by 9/15 or by 10/1 if the former isn't feasible, ideally two of those being SLOEs.
 
EM2019Midwest said:
How are y'all coming up with your application list? We have great advisors at our school (at least I think so, they certainly mean well and care about our success), but each advised me to apply to a different # of programs (anywhere from 15 to 45). My classmates are having the same issue with very variable advice. My app: STEP1/2 in the 250's, US MD, midwest, 3 SLOE's uploaded by Sept 15 (both aways completed in the midwest and southeast), tons of research and pubs, involvement in EMRA, etc.

I have a pretty top heavy list, with apps all over the country, so I'm thinking I should have some backups, but whenever I try to go over a specific list with anyone, I get a "Looks good! Go for it!" without anyone actually being willing to go over program by program to see which places make the most sense.

I guess my question is, if you apply to a lot of bigger "names" outside of your region, despite having an overall strong application, should you by default just apply to all the programs in your region as well to be safe?
Click to expand...
Yes. Although you’ll probably be fine assuming your sloes are good, now isn’t the time to stop playing it safe just to save a few bucks. Your app is great but all the rest of it doesn’t matter if one of your sloes has a red flag, and you have no real way of knowing that unfortunately. Whoever told you to apply to only 15 programs is out of their mind.
 
RPedigo said:
We cannot see your application until September 15th so any additional letters you assign to us before then will be visible on September 15th when we open your file. Anything you add after the application cycle has started, technically we do not get updates on and may miss. That said, it would be wayyy to early to e-mail programs if you have a new SLOE on September 16th, since people are going to be doing much of the reviewing after October 1st when the MSPE comes out (at which point we would see a LOR with a newer timestamp next to it). Any substantial application-changing updates after (arbitrarily-chosen date) October 15th-ish or so, probably would be worth e-mailing the program coordinator because your file might already have been reviewed. We get over a thousand applicants each year, so finding updates on any individual's application is essentially impossible unless it's brought to our attention. The balance, which is why it is hard to pin down an exact date where you should e-mail, is in being overly eager to e-mail early on in the application cycle versus not updating us on an important change in your own application.
Click to expand...

This was very helpful thank you!
 
EM2019Midwest said:
How are y'all coming up with your application list? We have great advisors at our school (at least I think so, they certainly mean well and care about our success), but each advised me to apply to a different # of programs (anywhere from 15 to 45). My classmates are having the same issue with very variable advice. My app: STEP1/2 in the 250's, US MD, midwest, 3 SLOE's uploaded by Sept 15 (both aways completed in the midwest and southeast), tons of research and pubs, involvement in EMRA, etc.

I have a pretty top heavy list, with apps all over the country, so I'm thinking I should have some backups, but whenever I try to go over a specific list with anyone, I get a "Looks good! Go for it!" without anyone actually being willing to go over program by program to see which places make the most sense.

I guess my question is, if you apply to a lot of bigger "names" outside of your region, despite having an overall strong application, should you by default just apply to all the programs in your region as well to be safe?
Click to expand...

I'm a DO student with scores less than yours so it's different, BUT, what I did is use the 2019-2020 spreadsheet (program info tab) in conjunction with the ERAS program info to make my list. The first 10-15 programs for me were straight forward, I already knew they historically took DO's and were in regions where I have ties. For everything else, I researched each program by looking at the percentage of do's that they take, their step 1 cutoff, and looking at their web page to get a feel for what type of program they are and what type of applicants they typically match. I'm sure it sounds silly but I even read their resident bio's to get a sense of who's there and it gives me somewhat of an impression of the place/people. I agree that it's difficult to know if the list is correct or not, I.e. do I have too many reach programs, did I pick a list that, as @gamerEMdoc suggests doing, is strategic enough to ensure I'll match somewhere? I think ideally you could have a PD or some other person who's involved in the match process, evaluate your list for you to provide specific advice on this but I doubt it's a viable option for all of us.
 
Stephanopolous said:
I'm a DO student with scores less than yours so it's different, BUT, what I did is use the 2019-2020 spreadsheet (program info tab) in conjunction with the ERAS program info to make my list. The first 10-15 programs for me were straight forward, I already knew they historically took DO's and were in regions where I have ties. For everything else, I researched each program by looking at the percentage of do's that they take, their step 1 cutoff, and looking at their web page to get a feel for what type of program they are and what type of applicants they typically match. I'm sure it sounds silly but I even read their resident bio's to get a sense of who's there and it gives me somewhat of an impression of the place/people. I agree that it's difficult to know if the list is correct or not, I.e. do I have too many reach programs, did I pick a list that, as @gamerEMdoc suggests doing, is strategic enough to ensure I'll match somewhere? I think ideally you could have a PD or some other person who's involved in the match process, evaluate your list for you to provide specific advice on this but I doubt it's a viable option for all of us.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is super helpful!
 
bbbaaa said:
Yes. Although you’ll probably be fine assuming your sloes are good, now isn’t the time to stop playing it safe just to save a few bucks. Your app is great but all the rest of it doesn’t matter if one of your sloes has a red flag, and you have no real way of knowing that unfortunately. Whoever told you to apply to only 15 programs is out of their mind.
Click to expand...

Makes a lot of sense, this is great advice! Thanks!
 
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