Applying for away rotations (EM) and not having Step 1 score back until late March MS3

[DragonSalad]

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Hey guys, I'm in a school that takes Step 1 after finishing core clerkships. We start clerkships in the middle of MS2, and have most of them done by winter MS3. The thing is, I want to apply into EM, and as I look at the whole away and VSAS / VLSO process, it looks like peak months for programs fill fast.

Our dedicated period is January and February, so if I take step at the end of Feb, I'll have my score back by late March. Is this too late for some programs? I've been trying to find a list of when programs open and I've had no luck. Do all away programs need step scores?

 

[DragonSalad]

Based on the VSAS 2019 thread it looks like people already had acceptances or rejections by mid March, and some had applied as end of Jan? Also, any thoughts on where there's a list of dates when programs open?

 

[Sterling_Archer]

This isn't exhaustive or organized, but these are my notes of when programs advertised opening their VSAS applications for submission

 

[DragonSalad]

Thank you!! That's very helpful. Do you know if applying 2-3 weeks after a program opens is considered okay, or do they generally fill before that? ( For July and August spots)

 

[takeurmeds02]

Do what you can - I'd say half of the programs have made decisions by march while the other half haven't even opened their app yet. At the very least, if you have a particular program(s) in mind, just email them expressing your interest; there's a lot of folks dropping their slots if and when their top choices respond. I hated the VSAS process and it's crazy that we have to do it just to match.

June, July, and slightly August slots fill up pretty fast and I'd say 2-3 weeks would be a stretch but again, reach out to the programs directly if this will be your case. You never know what might happen.

I've attached my notes as well. Best of luck.

 

[Sterling_Archer]

Thank you!! That's very helpful. Do you know if applying 2-3 weeks after a program opens is considered okay, or do they generally fill before that? ( For July and August spots)

Its honestly a **** show. I would just apply on the opening day if possible. I got one spot after applying 2 weeks after the opening date if that helps.

 

[Tenk]

Does your institution have an EM program? Have you met/know the PD or other faculty? EM is a pretty tight knit community compared to a lot of specialties so if you describe your predicament to someone who likes you, they can probably make a phone call on your behalf and vouch for you. I know I could.

If you haven't met any faculty, now is a great time. If you don't have a program and have no attached emergency department, apply early and cross your fingers I guess.

 

[djtallahassee]

Hi, great post! My school is looking at rearranging Step to where you take in mid March. Would that be detrimental for EM

Also, for a transition year to the new rearragement, some students would take last week of April. Would that be detrimental for EM?