applying to EM... question

[waterbottle10]

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Does anyone know, maybe recent applicants or anyone else, how important it is to take an away elective? My school says I pretty much have to take an elective if I wan to do EM b/c it's so competitive (but then again my school is often wrong, so I would like your inputs). I postponed some classes so i only have time to fit in in house EM clerkship, and if I do do away, it'll have to be in like february... which i'm not sure if it even matters by that point.

Also school told me that EM loves seeing Step 2 score, regardless of how well you performed on Step 1, anyone know if this is true? Is it a big disadvantage if you don't have that score ready until like late December??

Thanks, and any other advice?

(I know it's kind of late. I was into IM, before realizing last month, that I didn't really enjoy the rotation... so now EM interests me..)

 

[EM4Reals]

You can match with only doing a home EM rotation. An away would help you out if you're interested in matching into a particular program or region (i.e. CA).

An away rotation in February is worthless...

Yes, programs like Step 2 but if you rocked Step 1 don't stress. If you did average or below average, its in your best interest to take Step 2 before interview season starts.

 

[red10]

Step 2 is becoming more important. Might as well take it ASAP after 3rd year cause you'll never know the info better.

I'd do an away. You could match without one, but you life would probably be easier if you had that second SLOE. It also helps you figure out what kind of program you want, how different programs run, and shows other programs that someone other than your parents (home program) think you're amazing. The away will be pretty much worthless in february. Drop some other electives and make time for it

 

[joeDO2]

doing at least one away would be wise. on the osteo side there are already several programs that won't even interview without a rotation. I don't think the allo ones have this requirement but i'm sure it is looked upon favorably

 

[waterbottle10]

I think my school writes a department letter, and I can get a letter from the home rotation. I need another one from away?

 

[Modafinil]

I was under the impression that most places wanted two SLOEs?

 

[red10]

I think my school writes a department letter, and I can get a letter from the home rotation. I need another one from away?

Are you saying your ED department would write you a letter and someone within the department would write you an individual or am i missing something?
Your home rotation/department should write you a SLOE. Another letter from someone in that department won't mean much because any comments they have about you should already be in the SLOE making in kinda redundant

 

[waterbottle10]

Are you saying your ED department would write you a letter and someone within the department would write you an individual or am i missing something?
Your home rotation/department should write you a SLOE. Another letter from someone in that department won't mean much because any comments they have about you should already be in the SLOE making in kinda redundant

I see. oh man, so complicated

 

[GTP]

I think you need another away before sep/oct since SLOEs can take up to a month to get to ERAS depending on how quickly the attending does it

 

[RustedFox]

I think you need another away before sep/oct since SLOEs can take up to a month to get to ERAS depending on how quickly the attending does it

This. This. This.

I got hosed a touch when I applied because 'homegirl attending' didn't upload my letters, lolz. Guaranteed.

If you're thinking: "Nah, the programs will wait until everyone's stuff is in and then judge you objectively based upon the merits or weaknesses of your application, and then offer or decline you an interview accordingly." ... you're dead wrong.

A director's goal is "fill interview slots, in an easy fashion, please." Make it simple, and don't stretch it out for too damn long this year. (HINT: "This year" is "every year". )

 

[exsanguination]

This. This. This.

I got hosed a touch when I applied because 'homegirl attending' didn't upload my letters, lolz. Guaranteed.

If you're thinking: "Nah, the programs will wait until everyone's stuff is in and then judge you objectively based upon the merits or weaknesses of your application, and then offer or decline you an interview accordingly." ... you're dead wrong.

A director's goal is "fill interview slots, in an easy fashion, please." Make it simple, and don't stretch it out for too damn long this year. (HINT: "This year" is "every year". )

This is excellent advice and reflects my experience as well. Many of us got our first interviews with only having one SLOE in. The important part though was having that SLOE in BEFORE ERAS is downloaded by the programs for the first time (October 15th IIRC)

Once you've landed the interview, they're likely going to look at your application a few more times before finalizing their rank list, and by that point you should have all your SLOEs in (home, away, individual, etc).