Applying for EM Residencies!

[medicineman12]

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Hi, I will be a graduate of a US Medical school having scored a 188 on USMLE Step 1 (much lower than I expected). I am planning on taking step 2 this June and doing three away rotations during my fourth year. I have done well on all my rotations, have passed every class in medical school, and have received good reviews from my evaluators during clerkships.

Although I understand that I am a borderline applicant for emergency medicine, charting the outcomes says that 76% of people applying with my step 1 score have matched. I was wondering if any of you had advice in regard to which programs I should be applying for, where I should consider doing 4th year away rotations, and what I can do to improve my application for the emergency medicine match.

Thanks for all the help, the advice and support on SDN is truly amazing 🙂

 

[Ticksweat EM]

Hey, so no sense in worrying about spilled milk, study hard for step 2 and show them it was just a bad day which we can all have...

With regards to your away rotations I'd def recommend you include GW as one of them. Its a great program and the away rotation will def change your point of view on EM and the vast number of opportunities out there for you as an Emergency Medicine Physician. You will learn a lot, and see what it is like to be in a school where the dean is an EM physician, and EM has a strong overall position in the hospital.

I'd do another one in NY just cause its a diff beast in case you are interested in NY at all, fast pace, hard work, hard play...

Goodluck with you upcoming decisions and rock step 2!

best,

 

[medicineman12]

Hey, so no sense in worrying about spilled milk, study hard for step 2 and show them it was just a bad day which we can all have...

With regards to your away rotations I'd def recommend you include GW as one of them. Its a great program and the away rotation will def change your point of view on EM and the vast number of opportunities out there for you as an Emergency Medicine Physician. You will learn a lot, and see what it is like to be in a school where the dean is an EM physician, and EM has a strong overall position in the hospital.

I'd do another one in NY just cause its a diff beast in case you are interested in NY at all, fast pace, hard work, hard play...

Goodluck with you upcoming decisions and rock step 2!

best,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this. Will definitely look closely into GW for EM!

 

[MSmentor018]

which programs I should be applying for, where I should consider doing 4th year away rotations, and what I can do to improve my application for the emergency medicine match.

Thanks for all the help, the advice and support on SDN is truly amazing 🙂

doesn't really matter "where" as much as "how many". you gotta work hard and slam dunk the rotation to make up for the low score.....so the more you do, the more you impress, the better. good luck!

 

[GoGetEM]

You might want to consider doing an away in a less desirable location. The large city programs get tons of applicants as well as many away students who rotate through. Does your home program have an EM program? They will also be a good bet for you. As stated before, you really need to rock the aways to compensate for the Step 1 score. A huge improvement on Step 2 (230+) will also help.

 

[Hamhock]

Already?!

We have JUST finished this cycle...

HH

 

[bartleby]

The three biggest things you can do is to a) rock step II, b) rock your EM/away rotations and c) as one of the other poster says, don't do away rotations and apply to places like Denver and MGH which will hold your step I score against you to the exclusion of the rest of your application.

 

[otacon88]

where did you get the statistic that a certain % with your score matched in EM? Where can i find that information?

 

[Dwindlin]

where did you get the statistic that a certain % with your score matched in EM? Where can i find that information?

I think the OP means that applicants with that score had a roughly 75%-ish probability of matching with that score.

And I'm assuming he got that data here.

 

[medicineman12]

All great advice, thanks! Hope everyone is successful in the match tomorrow 🙂

 

[in1Q84]

Not to be a Debbie Downer... But, I don't think it would be a bad idea to apply for a back up like medicine prelim or something else you'd consider. Some people do peds and then EM fellowship. I would also apply to good number of programs (50+) and not be picky about location.

 

[EManonymous]

I matched EM with step 1 in the same range. There is more to the application process than these scores. I was only asked about it in about 3 interviews.

Away rotations- 1. go to a place where you want to go and would otherwise not receive an interview 2. go to a place that is less desirable so you can improve your chances of getting a match somewhere

Where to apply- many programs in whatever region you want to be in. I did forty some programs, but maybe you'll need 50 or 60 if the rest of your app isn't solid. Consider also applying to wherever students from your school have previously gone. I suggest applying to many programs in michigan and new york, and a bunch of places you haven't heard of. Spending a few hundred dollars in app fees is totally worth it.

How to improve your app- be an interesting person with hobbies, do some research, be a member of things like ACEP, have leadership demonstrated in writing, have REALLY solid letters from EM programs you rotated in, get to know your local program director so they might have your back if they get a phone call from another program.

 

[medicineman12]

I matched EM with step 1 in the same range. There is more to the application process than these scores. I was only asked about it in about 3 interviews.

Away rotations- 1. go to a place where you want to go and would otherwise not receive an interview 2. go to a place that is less desirable so you can improve your chances of getting a match somewhere

Where to apply- many programs in whatever region you want to be in. I did forty some programs, but maybe you'll need 50 or 60 if the rest of your app isn't solid. Consider also applying to wherever students from your school have previously gone. I suggest applying to many programs in michigan and new york, and a bunch of places you haven't heard of. Spending a few hundred dollars in app fees is totally worth it.

How to improve your app- be an interesting person with hobbies, do some research, be a member of things like ACEP, have leadership demonstrated in writing, have REALLY solid letters from EM programs you rotated in, get to know your local program director so they might have your back if they get a phone call from another program.

Great advice, thanks!

 

[SepulvedaMD]

Does anyone have any thoughts about doing an away at a reach program just for exposure and a letter?

 

[jbar]

As others have said, a letter is only worthwhile if you are going to get a good letter. And it might raise some red flags if you do an away and don't get a letter. So you have to ask yourself why it is a reach. If it is a reach because you don't think you'll be able to clinically match up with the students there, you shouldn't do it. If you think it's a reach because you have a bad step 1 score but think you'll rock the rotation then give it a go.

On the other hand I would ask how many aways you are going to do? Most people do one home rotation, and one away. I would say you are better served doing an away at somewhere you think that you might really want to go, rather than just doing it at a random famous place that you aren't interested in.

 

[medicineman12]

Just to update my situation, I recently received my Step 2 score back which ended up being a 243. Any ideas as to how this will affect my application or if it will compensate for my step 1 score at all? I have no preference in terms of location, just looking to match into an EM residency. Would anyone recommend applying for IM also to be on the safe side? Thanks for the help!

 

[KarlPilkington]

That improved Step II score should help. I would apply very broadly to EM programs, look closely at places that are new/ have had openings after the match in the past few cycles.
I don't think you need to apply to medicine. If you're set on EM, matching in to a Medicine spot would limit future options. A better ultimate back-up plan would be to apply for a prelim surgery year at a place with an EM residency, that way you get plenty of GME funding which would let you switch into EM after an intern year.
Honestly with that Step II score you should be fine, just put out a bunch of applications and go for 10+ interviews.

 

[gman33]

Just to update my situation, I recently received my Step 2 score back which ended up being a 243. Any ideas as to how this will affect my application or if it will compensate for my step 1 score at all? I have no preference in terms of location, just looking to match into an EM residency. Would anyone recommend applying for IM also to be on the safe side? Thanks for the help!

Glad to hear you kicked butt on Step 2.
I think this should greatly help your application.

I'd still apply very broadly and see what kind of response you get.
It's better to spend a few hundred $$ extra now and make sure you get enough interviews.

 

[Pigg-O-Stat]

Wow! Amazing job bringing up the Step 2. 243 is very competitive and Step 2 is heavily weighed in EM.

Apply very broadly. Get as many interviews as you can, and maximize your chances of an EM match. Good luck.

 

[medicineman12]

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the encouragement!