Advise for a MS3 thinking about EM

[dreev335]

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Third year medical student thinking about applying to EM. I've got a 231 step 1 and am probably slightly above average in my class GPA wise. I know I need to do away rotations and am working on applying for them. What else do I need to be considering? Do I need to take step 2 before applying? Or is my step 1 good enough to hold out a bit? I'm not trying to get into the Harvard of EM residencies, but would like to avoid ending up in rural Montana or something. Any other advise on how to get into EM would be greatly appreciated, I feel like my school has provided me with nothing. Thanks!

 

[TooMuchResearch]

If you haven't already, join AAEM and look into their mentorship program.
If your school has an affiliated EM residency, the program director or other faculty may be helpful.
A few years ago, I took step 2 CK after starting interviews. I think the trend is to take it sooner now, but I could be wrong.

 

[Sea Otter]

I'd recommend taking Step 2 before applying since your Step 1 score is good but not going to knock their socks off and EM is getting more and more competitive.


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[EmergDoc2B]

Step 2 should be on average 10 -20 points higher than step 1.

 

[SpacemanSpifff]

If you haven't already, join AAEM and look into their mentorship program.
If your school has an affiliated EM residency, the program director or other faculty may be helpful.
A few years ago, I took step 2 CK after starting interviews. I think the trend is to take it sooner now, but I could be wrong.

Definitely look into AAEM. Super helpful. Some other sources that may be useful:
http://emadvisor.blogspot.com/
https://cdemcurriculum.com/2016/04/06/student-advising-task-force/
https://www.aliem.com/category/non-clinical/em-match-advice/ (Academic Life in EM is one of the most reliable sources of information I have found regarding the process of applying in EM)

Third year medical student thinking about applying to EM. I've got a 231 step 1 and am probably slightly above average in my class GPA wise. I know I need to do away rotations and am working on applying for them. What else do I need to be considering? Do I need to take step 2 before applying? Or is my step 1 good enough to hold out a bit? I'm not trying to get into the Harvard of EM residencies, but would like to avoid ending up in rural Montana or something. Any other advise on how to get into EM would be greatly appreciated, I feel like my school has provided me with nothing. Thanks!

It may be helpful in securing more interviews if you improve significantly, but it is not required. I would recommend it. Luckily for you, there are no EM residencies in rural (or any other part of) Montana 😉

 

[CliveStaples]

Based on the Applicants thread this year, it did seem that two factors that played into getting early interviews were 1) Strong SLOEs, and 2) An available Step 2 CK score. EM seems to be on the front end of valuing CK scores and I think it would behoove you to try and find a way to have a score on file by October 1st.

 

[joh98]

Show that your balanced. I've heard some top EM residencies want people who enjoy the work-life mix. Brush up on some of the best Emergency Medicine reading