Advice needed

[Baditude]

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I really want to go into EM but I could use some advice has to how to get a PD to not chuck my file in the garbage before they even meet me. I have a low Step 1 score but I have honored all my clinical rotations with good letters so far from anesthesia, family medicine, radiology and I can get one from OB. I plan am doing 2 away EM electives then one at the place I would most like to do residency. I also am an older, female, and an USIMG so I have several strikes against me.
What do you suggest honestly besides killing Step 2 to make my application look better. Plus what can I do as far as prep for my electives in EM to make me look like a star.
Thank you ahead of time as I am sure you guys get these Q's all the time.

 

[cpb80]

I really want to go into EM but I could use some advice has to how to get a PD to not chuck my file in the garbage before they even meet me. I have a low Step 1 score but I have honored all my clinical rotations with good letters so far from anesthesia, family medicine, radiology and I can get one from OB. I plan am doing 2 away EM electives then one at the place I would most like to do residency. I also am an older, female, and an USIMG so I have several strikes against me.
What do you suggest honestly besides killing Step 2 to make my application look better. Plus what can I do as far as prep for my electives in EM to make me look like a star.
Thank you ahead of time as I am sure you guys get these Q's all the time.

If i were you I would dedicate the summer after 3rd year to studying for STEP II...i know you said "besides killing STEP II" but hold on a sec...
sit for STEP II, confident that you will do well BEFORE doing your EM electives, that way you can show the PD's your new score, and truth be told, some rotations actually ask for your USMLE scores. Apply for rotations EARLY, and try to schedule rotations at competitive sites/a residency that you desire...by having done well on STEP II AND your previous your rotations, it will land you a good rotation... AND by having just taken STEP II, their will be alot of synergy from STEP II material and what they typically ask on some of these in-house EM rotations (I've sat for three in-house exams at competitive programs in Chicago). Usually the medical student coordinator suggests reading/prep material for the end-of rotation exam. If not I recommend the Road Map Series of Emergency Medicine by Scott Sherman (great Cook County attending)- it is new and an easy read for EM students. I'm not sure I'd recommend Rosen or Tintinalli's if you want something that is easy to digest (but certainly good desk references)

It sounds like you do well clinically, and that is the most important aspect of the grade that you earn on these rotations- become very familiar with the most common chief complaints and have a good differential for all of them. EM attendings and residents really want to see that you are thinking like an EM physician- that comes with time. I recommend quick pocket references such as 5 min clinical consult for the PDA, an intern's guide to EM, pocket Emergency Medicine. Also, when you are following your patients during your rotation stay on top of your patient. That is, know what the updates are with your patient's before your senior. From my humble experience, nothing bugs an attending/resident more than MS's, who takes on too much responsibility and forgets to follow-up on their patients. With that said, aside from doing well on STEP II it is super-important that you do well on these EM's rotations. You really want to try to hit the ground running when you start them.
Hope that helps, and feel free to PM me

 

[docB]

You need letters from EM attendings. Many programs do not geve a lot of weight to off service letters and they really want to see those SLORs.

You need to get an EM mentor at your home institution. Approach someone, ask if they'll help you. You will need their SLOR and then, if you continue to shine clinically (which is likely😉) you can ask them to make some phone calls to PDs or EM faculty they know to support you.

If you don't have EM at your home institution you can seek out a mentor at the place where you'll be doing your 2 aways.

 

[docB]

I remembered that I had put some stuff in the FAQ about mentors:

Find yourself a mentor at your school. Pick an Emergency Physician (EP) you respect and ask if they will help you reach your goal. You will eventually be asking your mentor and other EPs in the department for letters of recommendation so start early building contacts. If an EP refuses or just directs you elsewhere do not get discouraged. These people are busy and you are better off finding a different mentor than having someone accept and turn out to be unable to give you enough time. I think that getting a good mentor is one of the most important things a student can do. It is best done early (e.g. second year or early third year) because you want to build a relationship with your mentor.

 

[Baditude]

cpb80 - The 2 away rotations I would like to do are Cook county and Mt.Sinai (I have done a lot of rotations here) so if you have suggestions for these programs that would be great. I will pick up the books you suggest and make sure I am very familiar with them.
I plan on taking Step 2 this spring so that I would have it done before any EM electives and I would have the score in before I apply for the match. I have to finish IM before I will feel ready to take the exam.

docB - I don't have a home program so I will have to look for a mentor at a program I rotate in. Plus being an IMG I am hoping if they love me 😍 they would offer me a prematch!! <- one can dream!!

Thank you both for your advice and I will take it to heart for sure.