Applicant Support Group Thread

[omgwtfbbq?]

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Hello fellow fourth years and EM applicants! I thought it would be fun to start a thread where we could get to know other SDN-ers on the interview trail this year, ask questions, share information not covered in the interview feedback sticky and just offer each other support. It's an amazing feeling to have found a specialty that I enjoy and where I truly fit in - the people are what make emergency medicine so great. Why keep all that greatness to yourself? Spread it around on SDN. (no, not like that.... pervert....)

"Why do I need support?" you say? Because you can't truly start living the fourth year dream until interview season is behind you, and until that happens it's nice to have some folks going through the same stressors to talk with.

I'd say more, but I'm working the night shift and its my nap time. 😍

 

[Tiger10]

I'll be applying EM this year too. Trying not to freak out too much yet!

 

[MountainEM]

I am in...
start my audition rotations in less than a week

 

[jbar]

Finally, after five years of med school I'm applying. It's funny but of the whole application the thing that is stressing me out the most is the picture. The ones I have aren't professional enough, and the one from Wallgreens I just did looks like a mug shot. Grrrr.

 

[Pure Anergy]

I'm in too. None of my friends are applying EM, so it's kind of lonely here.

Just to continue with the SDN neuroticism we all know and love, how many programs are all of you applying to? I am having trouble getting my list down below 30. That's kind of ridiculous to apply to so many, right? But I honestly don't want to drop any of them because there are things I really like about each of them. Is anyone else having this problem? How did you pick which programs to drop?

 

[Tiger10]

I'm working on researching programs/making a list now. As a DO applicant, if I do the ACGME match I think I can see myself applying to 30 programs just because I don't really know how competitive I am and think it'd be best to apply broadly. It's not that expensive to apply (compared to med schools) so worst case apply to more and you can always turn down interviews if you want.

For narrowing down your list, do you prefer a larger class or smaller? Location? 3 yr or 4 yr? I'll probably end up making a spreadsheet of programs I might want to apply to and then use that to "rank" them in order to figure out which ones to apply to. Or maybe I just have an Excel problem.

 

[50mints]

SDN newbie and 4th year EM hopeful here. Working on my essay and studying for step 2 now. Planning to apply broadly with a few geographical limits.

 

[Pure Anergy]

I'm working on researching programs/making a list now. As a DO applicant, if I do the ACGME match I think I can see myself applying to 30 programs just because I don't really know how competitive I am and think it'd be best to apply broadly. It's not that expensive to apply (compared to med schools) so worst case apply to more and you can always turn down interviews if you want.

That's kind of what I thought, too. If I end up getting 30 invites (haha), I don't have to go on 30 interviews.

For narrowing down your list, do you prefer a larger class or smaller? Location? 3 yr or 4 yr? I'll probably end up making a spreadsheet of programs I might want to apply to and then use that to "rank" them in order to figure out which ones to apply to. Or maybe I just have an Excel problem.

Haha, I already made an extensive spreadsheet.😳 It didn't really help as much as I would have thought. I guess I don't really care about any of the things you mentioned. I have no preference about class size at all. I'm single, so I have no geographical limitations, and I don't even have a strong preference for a particular region of the country. If all else is equal, I'd rather be in a three year program, but it's not a big deal to me and I have a bunch of four year programs on my list too. Really the only things I care about are that it's a good fit, and I don't want to go to a little community program. That doesn't narrow things down very much.

 

[bravotwozero]

Hey guys,

I'm in as well. Start my first audition in two months. I'm freaking out about the match, so I'll be applying to at least 70 programs. Yeah, it's a lot, but I don't wanna take any chances with my application.

 

[Richspiders07]

in as well

Already did my home EM rotation and both step 2s. Finished up my personal statement and ERAS is basically done. Planning to apply to 25-30 programs - 3yrs, mainly southeast + texas.

I'm currently on my first away rotation - with my first shift overnight tonight. Nervous/excited. We get a lot more responsibility/freedom here than my home place... putting in orders, more procedures, etc. I just hope i can learn their EMR/charting system quickly!

 

[UnderwaterDoc]

Add me to the count.

In the process of making up the program list, way too many to count 😀

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I'm in too.
Applying pretty much California only, so I've got about 15 on my list.
I'm in the middle of my home EM rotation now, going to USC next month - should be a good time!

 

[24IdaFire]

Reapplying this year.

 

[omgwtfbbq?]

I figure it's fair to also say what I'm up to since I started this thread: I'm currently on my rotation at my home institution -- LOVE IT 😍 We have a county and a trauma 1 academic center and the amount of autonomy is great. On my last night shift I had five patients and I was expected to come up with a plan, write the orders, make sure everything was done..... basically they were my patients and their care was based on my choices. It was awesome getting to rise to the occasion and feel competent. I've worked 9 days without one off and I'm still looking forward to work in the morning. I'm going to be taking Step 2 and then radiology and then my away rotation. Gotta start working on good 'ol ERAS ..... don't wanna 🙂 As for applications, I have a favorite 8 but about 15 i'm interested in..... i know I should go for more, but i'm not certain. I figure only apply to the places you really think you'll fit in at.

 

[ccfccp]

Finally, after five years of med school I'm applying. It's funny but of the whole application the thing that is stressing me out the most is the picture. The ones I have aren't professional enough, and the one from Wallgreens I just did looks like a mug shot. Grrrr.

Sorry to hijack the thread to offer advice, but I went through this not that long ago. I wasn't happy with the pictures I had available, so I went to Sears. Photos were like 15 or 20 bucks, looked professional, and I felt much better than I did about the walgreens debacle.

Good luck this year everyone; it's going to be a wild ride.

 

[Cerberus]

I'm in too.
Applying pretty much California only, so I've got about 15 on my list.
I'm in the middle of my home EM rotation now, going to USC next month - should be a good time!

I would strongly...STRONGLY reccomment against only applying to CA programs. Cali is a hard place to get a spot in, even if you have a great app.

 

[calespine]

Hey guys- I'll be applying this year too, and I was wondering if you guys think submitting ERAS on October 6th would be ok for EM (waiting for step 2 ck score)? It sounds ok from other forums, but I wanted to see what you guys think too. M4 year is going to be so much fun and stress!

 

[tkim]

I'm in too.
Applying pretty much California only, so I've got about 15 on my list.
I'm in the middle of my home EM rotation now, going to USC next month - should be a good time!

1) USC is a fun rotation, though I don't know what it'll be like since the new hospital and the end of 'C' booth.

2) Hopefully you go to a Cali med school, and have networked already. Otherwise, apply outside the area, or face the very real possibility of the scramble.

 

[Tiger10]

I figure it's fair to also say what I'm up to since I started this thread: I'm currently on my rotation at my home institution -- LOVE IT 😍 We have a county and a trauma 1 academic center and the amount of autonomy is great. On my last night shift I had five patients and I was expected to come up with a plan, write the orders, make sure everything was done..... basically they were my patients and their care was based on my choices. It was awesome getting to rise to the occasion and feel competent. I've worked 9 days without one off and I'm still looking forward to work in the morning. I'm going to be taking Step 2 and then radiology and then my away rotation. Gotta start working on good 'ol ERAS ..... don't wanna 🙂 As for applications, I have a favorite 8 but about 15 i'm interested in..... i know I should go for more, but i'm not certain. I figure only apply to the places you really think you'll fit in at.

I don't know if it's because we're 4th years now or if it was just the EM rotation but that was my experience too. I felt like I was a full fledged member of the team and what I thought actually mattered. Nothing like having an attending ask if you want to CT a kid and then put in the order when you say yes. I'm sure he wouldn't have let me do it if it wasn't appropriate but it was still a cool feeling.

I've gotten the CAF done, working on personal statement, and waiting on LOR's/board scores. Can I go ahead and apply with only 2 (maybe 3) LOR's but only one being the SLOR? I've got another EM rotation starting Monday where I'll get a 2nd.

 

[MountainEM]

Hey guys- I'll be applying this year too, and I was wondering if you guys think submitting ERAS on October 6th would be ok for EM (waiting for step 2 ck score)? It sounds ok from other forums, but I wanted to see what you guys think too. M4 year is going to be so much fun and stress!

Why would you wait to submit your app for a step 2 score? I thought we submit our app when ps and common app is filled out. dean's letters, step scores, and LORs come as we go right? Am i missing something? I have heard of people getting interviews in sept and oct. without having all of these components complete yet.

I will not be taking step 2 till nov since I have 3 em rotations right off the bat-august, sept, oct...

 

[calespine]

Why would you wait to submit your app for a step 2 score? I thought we submit our app when ps and common app is filled out. dean's letters, step scores, and LORs come as we go right? Am i missing something? I have heard of people getting interviews in sept and oct. without having all of these components complete yet.

I will not be taking step 2 till nov since I have 3 em rotations right off the bat-august, sept, oct...

I've heard majority of interview invites come in October and right after MSPE release. I'm thinking of waiting for my step 2 score because I'm interested in some tough programs, and I don't want to get screened out because of my step 1 score.

 

[Camel-Alex]

In for EM as well. Working on that PS as we speak, just finished up my home site rotation at NJMS. Still working on the list of programs, mostly focusing on the East Coast/NYC academic programs. Step 2 in August, and doing an away in Boston in September. Hopefully finishing this application before the end of August.

So much time, so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that, reverse it.

 

[DrMars]

Count me in too. I think I have a final draft of my PS but i keep messing with it... Taking step 2 half way through August, then a filler 2 week radiology rotation, then 4 EM auditions taking me into December.

I plan on having everything ready by the end of August also. September 1st is when ACGME programs can start downloading right? So other than applying Osteo programs, which started downloading on July 15th, there is really no advantage to being done sooner than that is there?

This is going to be an exciting and very stressful couple of months!

 

[bravotwozero]

This is going to be an exciting and very stressful couple of months!

You're tellin' me! best of luck to you my friend.

Anyways, my first EM rotation is actually not my 'core', which my school brilliantly scheduled near the end of my fourth year. So my audition is the first EM rotation. I really would like to do well, and leave a good impression. If anyone's got any tips from being in the trenches, I'm all ears.

 

[Tiger10]

You're tellin' me! best of luck to you my friend.

Anyways, my first EM rotation is actually not my 'core', which my school brilliantly scheduled near the end of my fourth year. So my audition is the first EM rotation. I really would like to do well, and leave a good impression. If anyone's got any tips from being in the trenches, I'm all ears.

It might be common sense but have a list of differentials and a plan when you walk out of the room to present and then don't let the attending/resident cut you off before you get to that point. Also, follow up on everything with your patient. Know where they are, if labs/diagnostics have been done, and any results before anyone else on the team. I know it can be awkward but don't be afraid to ask for feedback and make changes based on any constructive criticism.

Good luck! I LOVED my first EM month.

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

I'm applying this year as well, but trying not to be too optimistic mostly because I'm an IMG with only US shadowing experience (our elective blocks are this February and March, right in the middle of ROL and Match timelines, so cant use them as "auditions" as such). I'm hoping that I've shown dedication to EM though, from shadowing/EMT-Bing in the summers to doing 2 EM rotations here as well as a self-organized EMS one as well.

 

[Pure Anergy]

Hey guys,

I'm in as well. Start my first audition in two months. I'm freaking out about the match, so I'll be applying to at least 70 programs. Yeah, it's a lot, but I don't wanna take any chances with my application.

Wow, now I don't feel nearly as bad about applying to 30!

I figure it's fair to also say what I'm up to since I started this thread: I'm currently on my rotation at my home institution -- LOVE IT 😍 We have a county and a trauma 1 academic center and the amount of autonomy is great. On my last night shift I had five patients and I was expected to come up with a plan, write the orders, make sure everything was done..... basically they were my patients and their care was based on my choices. It was awesome getting to rise to the occasion and feel competent. I've worked 9 days without one off and I'm still looking forward to work in the morning. I'm going to be taking Step 2 and then radiology and then my away rotation. Gotta start working on good 'ol ERAS ..... don't wanna 🙂 As for applications, I have a favorite 8 but about 15 i'm interested in..... i know I should go for more, but i'm not certain. I figure only apply to the places you really think you'll fit in at.

That sounds like a great rotation. I have an away coming up too and I'm really looking forward to it.

So much time, so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that, reverse it.

😀

Count me in too. I think I have a final draft of my PS but i keep messing with it... Taking step 2 half way through August, then a filler 2 week radiology rotation, then 4 EM auditions taking me into December.

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing FOUR away rotations. That's pretty intense. Even my friends who are applying for things like ortho are only doing two or three aways. Why are you doing that many? Do you just want to see that many hospitals, or did someone advise you to do that many? And when are you going to interview? Mainly in January?

I'm applying this year as well, but trying not to be too optimistic mostly because I'm an IMG with only US shadowing experience (our elective blocks are this February and March, right in the middle of ROL and Match timelines, so cant use them as "auditions" as such). I'm hoping that I've shown dedication to EM though, from shadowing/EMT-Bing in the summers to doing 2 EM rotations here as well as a self-organized EMS one as well.

Good luck, I hope you make it. Where in the country are you planning to focus your apps? Like someone said in the other thread asking about safety programs, the Midwest might be a good choice just because everyone wants to go to Cali. 😛

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

Good luck, I hope you make it. Where in the country are you planning to focus your apps? Like someone said in the other thread asking about safety programs, the Midwest might be a good choice just because everyone wants to go to Cali. 😛

Thanks. Basically this year I'll be applying to the handful of programs that I really like (those that tie in EM, EMS - especially physician response, and teaching) as well as programs that didn't fill, or those that took lots of US IMGs/IMGs in the past couple years. This includes most of NY/NJ, as well as Michigan (surprised me). To be honest, I'll be ecstatic if I even get offered any interviews. If I don't, I have the option of doing one year of Foundation Training here (closest comparison is to a Transitional Year internship) and reapplying with a hopefully stronger application, namely 2 US clerkship LOR/SLORs. That's if I can find places that still take IMGs and don't want an arm and a leg!!

Plus, I grew up in Cali, and as much as I like the area, I don't actually like the programs that much!

 

[DrMars]

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing FOUR away rotations. That's pretty intense. Even my friends who are applying for things like ortho are only doing two or three aways. Why are you doing that many? Do you just want to see that many hospitals, or did someone advise you to do that many? And when are you going to interview? Mainly in January?

Yeah I know it is a bunch and I think it will be pretty taxing but I wanted to see what different kinds of programs are out there. Learn things like what are the stengths/weaknesses, how are the residents/attendings, what the area is like, etc. For me, getting a really good feel for a place over a day interview is not going to be easy. Plus each program is going to be trying to impress the interviewees so some of the downsides of each program might not be as apparent. I do plan on trying to interview during the rotations if I can schedule them. Most of the rotations I have scheduled have between 12-15 shifts over the month so there should be a few days to make it to interviews. We will see....

My school limits us to 16 weeks in any one specialty during the 4th year. I know of several of my classmates who have used the whole time as well. How does that compare to other schools? Are most of you guys limited to 2 or 3 auditions? Just curious.

and now back to the world questions....😴

 

[bravotwozero]

Haha, I'm in the middle doing world questions too. My school has the same limit on no more than 2 rotations in the same specialty. Subspecialties of the same specialty are considered different rotations however, and we have a 1 month rural selective rotation that we can do anywhere in any specialty, which does not count to our 2 rotation limit, which is what i'm using to get around the 2 rotation limit.

Honestly though, I feel the number of rotations isn't as critical as the timing.

If you can score 2 em rotations by the end of august/september (preferrably august), that's enough to get 2 slors from 2 different sites early on for ERAS. I'd say 2 solid slors with decent boards should be enough to get you enough interviews, you wouldn't need to do any more EM rotations.

 

[calespine]

Anyone with advice on whether to wait for my Step 2 score to submit ERAS? Will programs look at your application a second time if you update them with your step 2 ck score later? Thanks!

 

[julie29524]

Hi everyone.

I am so glad for this thread. Wish I have advice to give, but I am pretty clueless.

I took 1st rotation off to study, currently done with both Step 2, working on personal statement (making me crazy because I am a horrible writer), starting 1st EM shift at my home institution (pretty nervous), audition away to follow in September.

Kinda bummed that some programs wants 3 EM LORs, I was hoping to get away with 2 EM and 1 FM letters, simply because because its difficult to get a lot of shifts with the same attending for them to get to know you.

How long is everyone's PS? people have told me EM likes shorter ones and to the point.

When r u guys going to submit application? should I submit it in September even though my LORs wont be ready until maybe October?

 

[Pure Anergy]

My school limits us to 16 weeks in any one specialty during the 4th year. I know of several of my classmates who have used the whole time as well. How does that compare to other schools? Are most of you guys limited to 2 or 3 auditions? Just curious.

No, as far as I know, we aren't limited in the number of aways we can do. But I'm in awe of those of you who have the time, money, and energy to do three or four aways!

Anyone with advice on whether to wait for my Step 2 score to submit ERAS? Will programs look at your application a second time if you update them with your step 2 ck score later? Thanks!

I think you should probably ask that question in the ERAS forum. We're all applying just like you are, so we don't know any more than you do.

Kinda bummed that some programs wants 3 EM LORs, I was hoping to get away with 2 EM and 1 FM letters, simply because because its difficult to get a lot of shifts with the same attending for them to get to know you.

What programs did you see that want three SLORs? I've looked at the requirements of dozens of programs. Most only require one SLOR, though some prefer two. A few outright require two SLORs. I have not seen any programs that say they require (or even prefer) three SLORs!

How long is everyone's PS? people have told me EM likes shorter ones and to the point.

We were told to make it one page, and that's what I did.

When r u guys going to submit application? should I submit it in September even though my LORs wont be ready until maybe October?

I don't know what programs will do with incomplete apps, but maybe someone can tell you in the ERAS forum.

 

[RxnMan]

...For narrowing down your list, do you prefer a larger class or smaller?...

Larger. Denver Health's website has a good discussion on the benefits of having a class of at least a certain size.

...Location?...

West and mid-Atlantic

...3 yr or 4 yr?...

Both. There's good discussions about 3 vs 4 on both the DHMC and SAEM websites.

...Just to continue with the SDN neuroticism we all know and love, how many programs are all of you applying to?...

...I'm freaking out about the match, so I'll be applying to at least 70 programs. Yeah, it's a lot, but I don't wanna take any chances with my application.

Please look at the SDN EM Surveys (links in my sig). Find where you belong on the Step I, II and class rank graphs. Get a rough idea of your AE. Divide your desired number of interviews (most folks do 10-12 IIRC) by your AE and presto! you have an estimate of the number of programs you need to apply to.

I wasn't happy with the pictures I had available, so I went to Sears. Photos were like 15 or 20 bucks, looked professional, and I felt much better than I did about the walgreens debacle...

This is a good idea. My school scheduled professionals to come in and take our pictures, but I was still in MD at the time. I'll have to check out Sears.

Hey guys- I'll be applying this year too, and I was wondering if you guys think submitting ERAS on October 6th would be ok for EM (waiting for step 2 ck score)?...

...When r u guys going to submit application? should I submit it in September even though my LORs wont be ready until maybe October?

I'm taking Step 2 at the end of August. My home ED rotation will be in September, and I'm doing an away in Oct. I will submit my ERAS mid-October, to allow the SLORs from my home ED to be added to my application.

...I've gotten the CAF done, working on personal statement, and waiting on LOR's/board scores. Can I go ahead and apply with only 2 (maybe 3) LOR's but only one being the SLOR? I've got another EM rotation starting Monday where I'll get a 2nd.

Gus Garmel's piece about MS4 (follow the links to SAEM in my sig) talks about this. Summary: 2-3 SLORs is fine.

...How long is everyone's PS? people have told me EM likes shorter ones and to the point...

Again, this is covered in the SAEM links. I've made mine ~1 page long. I did a 3 paragraph style, where each answered a specific question:

1) What do you like about EM?
2) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3) What do you want in a residency?

I added on a summary statement or two and called it done.

I'm in the process of showing my PS to different folks. I'm not going for the Great American Novel, I want a PS that gets my message across without any glaring errors.

Away rotation is scheduled, I just need to get a plane ticket. I've basically finished my CAF and I have my LOR writers mostly lined up, I just need to get them the official paperwork (my school requires a form). I was going to get 2 SLORs from my institution, one from my away, one from my advisor during my year off (so he can tell PDs what I did when I interrupted my med school education), and maybe one other (IM or Peds). Yes that's a bit much, but given the year out I need to do some more explaining.

I was going to apply to 30 programs, but my EM advisor talked me down to 20-25.

 

[julie29524]

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine – Scott & White
Requirements:
Three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty or Emergency Medicine physicians (if applicable)

But I feel like most of you guys are not looking in this area, but there are good quality residencies in Texas, I really like Texas Tech - El Paso's residency too.

No, as far as I know, we aren't limited in the number of aways we can do. But I'm in awe of those of you who have the time, money, and energy to do three or four aways!


I think you should probably ask that question in the ERAS forum. We're all applying just like you are, so we don't know any more than you do.


What programs did you see that want three SLORs? I've looked at the requirements of dozens of programs. Most only require one SLOR, though some prefer two. A few outright require two SLORs. I have not seen any programs that say they require (or even prefer) three SLORs!


We were told to make it one page, and that's what I did.


I don't know what programs will do with incomplete apps, but maybe someone can tell you in the ERAS forum.

 

[bravotwozero]

Actually I'm aiming for texas. My wife's from the area, and we're hoping to do a couple's match.

 

[Pure Anergy]

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine – Scott & White
Requirements:
Three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty or Emergency Medicine physicians (if applicable)

But I feel like most of you guys are not looking in this area, but there are good quality residencies in Texas, I really like Texas Tech - El Paso's residency too.

But that doesn't say they require three SLORs, it says they require three LORs from faculty in general. That sentence actually reads like they don't require any SLORs at all, which is kind of weird since most programs require at least one. But it doesn't specifically say that they require a letter from an EP. Compare that requirement to Wash U, which is one of the few programs I saw that require two SLORs. Under requirements, their website says:

Three or four letters of recommendation

• Two of the letters should be from Emergency Medicine faculty.
• One letter MUST be based on an EM rotation in a U.S. teaching facility (preferentially one that has an EM residency).

The two letters that have to be from EM faculty are the two required SLORs. There is no requirement about who can write the third LOR, which means it doesn't have to be a SLOR. Like I said, I can't imagine any program requiring all three LORs to be SLORs. Most people can't get three EM rotations done before September!

Also, you won't get any hating on Texas programs from me. There are some that sound pretty good for my interests and I will probably apply.

 

[EMDocRod]

Finally got tired of lurking and signed up for account. I'm applying this year as well. SE, SW and Texas. Plus a few schools up north to keep it interesting.

 

[beefbroccoli]

Haven't been here in years!

I think I'm applying for EM this year. I was originally pretty set on internal medicine until about three weeks ago when I was wrapping up MICU and loving the procedural side but less so chronic management and now I'm in EM and loving it. So I have no away rotations (my home institution has no EM residency program) set up and all the LORs I had lined up were for medicine. Very behind on everything, but hopefully I can do it. /tl;dr

Good luck to everyone here 👍 😍

 

[DCDAWG]

Larger. Denver Health's website has a good discussion on the benefits of having a class of at least a certain size.

West and mid-Atlantic

Both. There's good discussions about 3 vs 4 on both the DHMC and SAEM websites.


Please look at the SDN EM Surveys (links in my sig). Find where you belong on the Step I, II and class rank graphs. Get a rough idea of your AE. Divide your desired number of interviews (most folks do 10-12 IIRC) by your AE and presto! you have an estimate of the number of programs you need to apply to.

This is a good idea. My school scheduled professionals to come in and take our pictures, but I was still in MD at the time. I'll have to check out Sears.


I'm taking Step 2 at the end of August. My home ED rotation will be in September, and I'm doing an away in Oct. I will submit my ERAS mid-October, to allow the SLORs from my home ED to be added to my application.

Gus Garmel's piece about MS4 (follow the links to SAEM in my sig) talks about this. Summary: 2-3 SLORs is fine.

Again, this is covered in the SAEM links. I've made mine ~1 page long. I did a 3 paragraph style, where each answered a specific question:

1) What do you like about EM?
2) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3) What do you want in a residency?

I added on a summary statement or two and called it done.

I'm in the process of showing my PS to different folks. I'm not going for the Great American Novel, I want a PS that gets my message across without any glaring errors.

Away rotation is scheduled, I just need to get a plane ticket. I've basically finished my CAF and I have my LOR writers mostly lined up, I just need to get them the official paperwork (my school requires a form). I was going to get 2 SLORs from my institution, one from my away, one from my advisor during my year off (so he can tell PDs what I did when I interrupted my med school education), and maybe one other (IM or Peds). Yes that's a bit much, but given the year out I need to do some more explaining.

I was going to apply to 30 programs, but my EM advisor talked me down to 20-25.

My match advisor strongly advised against doing PS like that. It may just be his preference, but he really pushes his students to just write about themselves in a creative way and not talk about why you like EM. In fact he has edited out anything about EM at all in people's PS. His argument is that EM physicians reading these know what is good and bad about EM and get tired of applicants telling them over and over. I hope he is right.

 

[DCDAWG]

Also, if I have one SLOR and one non-EM LOR in by September 1st, do you think places will go ahead and send out interviews- even if they require 2 SLORs? I will have a second from my clerkship director, but he doesnt send it until October 1st, and I should have a third coming from my away but that wont be until the end of October.

 

[RxnMan]

My match advisor strongly advised against doing PS like that. It may just be his preference, but he really pushes his students to just write about themselves in a creative way and not talk about why you like EM...

I had written some of this sort of content and my advising dean told me to take it out.

...In fact he has edited out anything about EM at all in people's PS. His argument is that EM physicians reading these know what is good and bad about EM and get tired of applicants telling them over and over. I hope he is right.

Sure. But one could make the opposite arguement, that PDs want to know that an applicant is informed about the field they're entering.

It doesn't really matter. I wish you success.

 

[julie29524]

R u saying that one rotation can only produce 1 SLOR? because I was going to ask the residency dir. and clerkship dir. both after this rotation.

I am totally and utterly confused, but will ask some residents. Thanks for your input, Pure Anergy.

Good luck to those why get Step 2 CK results today!

But that doesn't say they require three SLORs, it says they require three LORs from faculty in general. That sentence actually reads like they don't require any SLORs at all, which is kind of weird since most programs require at least one. But it doesn't specifically say that they require a letter from an EP. Compare that requirement to Wash U, which is one of the few programs I saw that require two SLORs. Under requirements, their website says:

Three or four letters of recommendation

• Two of the letters should be from Emergency Medicine faculty.
• One letter MUST be based on an EM rotation in a U.S. teaching facility (preferentially one that has an EM residency).

The two letters that have to be from EM faculty are the two required SLORs. There is no requirement about who can write the third LOR, which means it doesn't have to be a SLOR. Like I said, I can't imagine any program requiring all three LORs to be SLORs. Most people can't get three EM rotations done before September!

Also, you won't get any hating on Texas programs from me. There are some that sound pretty good for my interests and I will probably apply.

 

[Pure Anergy]

My match advisor strongly advised against doing PS like that. It may just be his preference, but he really pushes his students to just write about themselves in a creative way and not talk about why you like EM. In fact he has edited out anything about EM at all in people's PS. His argument is that EM physicians reading these know what is good and bad about EM and get tired of applicants telling them over and over. I hope he is right.

I don't understand why your adviser thinks that writing about why you want to go into EM means that you are talking about what is good and bad about EM in general. You don't have to write a treatise on the pros and cons of EM to explain why you're picking this specialty. I talked about why I, Pure Anergy, am interested in going into EM. As in, what experiences I had, what interests I developed, etc. I wouldn't say my essay is super creative. But it's definitely not the same as anyone else's because it's about my personal journey from pre-med to EM applicant, and no one else has lived my life....I don't think!

But I don't agree with your adviser because this isn't a creative writing contest like RxnMan said. You're applying for a job. Don't you think the people who are thinking about hiring you would want to know why you want the job?

Also, if I have one SLOR and one non-EM LOR in by September 1st, do you think places will go ahead and send out interviews- even if they require 2 SLORs? I will have a second from my clerkship director, but he doesnt send it until October 1st, and I should have a third coming from my away but that wont be until the end of October.

I doubt any of us will know the answer to this. Probably some will and some won't, just like some wait for a dean's letter to send out interview invites and some don't.

R u saying that one rotation can only produce 1 SLOR? because I was going to ask the residency dir. and clerkship dir. both after this rotation.

No, I wasn't talking about that at all. 😕

I have no idea how it works if you get more than one SLOR from the same rotation. I asked about that in another thread because I have two SLORs from one program too, and no one said anything. If you find out the answer to how programs feel about two SLORs from the same rotation, please tell me the answer too.

I am totally and utterly confused

You and me both!

No, what I was saying has to do with the number of SLORs that residency programs require, not the number you can get from a specific rotation you did in med school. The program you quoted before does not require three SLORs like you thought it did. It didn't sound to me like they even require one SLOR from the way it was written, but I think it's probably not a good idea to apply without any SLORs. But since you'll have two SLORs, you should be fine.

 

[RxnMan]

Ugh. Working through UWorld to prep for Step II. How's everyone else doing?

And bump!

 

[Cerberus]

As for the question of residency size which was mentioned above, I do think you need a "certain" number of residents in a program, but what that size is hard to say and depends on several factors. I rotated at small (6 per year) and large (+13/yr). I certainly wouldn't want to train at a program with fewer than 6/yr but I wouldn't say it's a detriment to the program as a whole to have a fewer number if the volume at the hospital isn't too high. The smaller ED I rotated at ran really well with the 24 EM residents they had.
btw, I ended up at a big program (13/yr). I don't find the size in anyway a problem. In fact, our ED is so busy we could probably use another 3 residents per year as we currently have attendings working non-teaching shifts just to see the overflow.

 

[Apollyon]

The RRC minimum is 6 residents/year.

 

[Richspiders07]

Just got back from my first away rotation - 100% in love. The city, hospital, and people were amazing. I only hope they liked me as much!

Can't wait to actually submit ERAS and be done with it...

 

[Tiger10]

Ugh. Working through UWorld to prep for Step II. How's everyone else doing?

Just got my Step 2 scores back (COMLEX) and did 50+ points better than Step 1, so I'm pretty pleased with that. I'm pretty much ready to submit the application part of ERAS, my personal statement is written, and all the LORs (1 SLOR and 2 non-EM LORs) I've requested have been turned in. This is the last week of my 2nd EM rotation so I'll have to wait for the SLOR from this month but as long as I have one I can go ahead and get applications out there, right? I feel like things are finally starting to come together, if only I could finalize my list of places to apply!

 

[VeerTheTIGuy]

Ugh. Working through UWorld to prep for Step II. How's everyone else doing?

Same here. Mine's on Thursday, and I start back again the Monday after! Still trying to chase up my LoRs, and desperately checking the ECFMG's receipt verification page to see if any have reached yet lol!