Do I need an away ?

[emplease]

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Hello all!!

I am a 4th year and currently getting my application together for this year's cycle. I am kinda in a bind now. I finished my home EM rotation in July. I was not planning on doing an away EM rotation ( my program said it wasnt necessary) but was going to do an international elective in Feb. After doing a search here, it seems that most people are doing at least 1 audition elective and up to 3-4. Is this true or is it the SDN bias? Will I be behind the 8 ball if i don't? Should I bother looking for an away EM spot in Oct or is that too late? There is not really a program that I am dying to go to...just a solid program on the south/mid atlantic


Thanks guys....yall have been really helpful in the past.


PS.. the rest of my application is fairly good...step 1 234, all HP 3rd year with a couple of honors...some research and a publication

 

[erin682]

I didn't do one, due to scheduling issues, and matched at my top choice, so no, it isn't a requirement. That said most places I interviewed asked me where I had rotated and I had to explain why I hadn't done one. Plus it can be a great way to get another SLOR and broaden your EM experience. If you end up not scheduling one I would try to do something else EM related at your home institution like tox or EM ultrasound.

 

[traumamonkey]

not necessary but can be helpful. i ended up where i did my away last year because i loved it so much. it is also useful in getting to know a program you might be interested in and being able to compare/contrast different types of programs.

that being said, it can also hurt you. you have to remember that you're always on. plus, you're working in a new environment with a new computer system, layout, people, etc. so it is a challenge and if you do an away you have to bust your butt the whole month or risk losing a SLOR and raising eyebrows on the interview trail.

the only people who HAVE to do aways are those who do not have EM at their schools and are interested in matching in EM.

good luck!

 

[bartleby]

Part of it depends on whether or not your home EM rotation is based in an ED that has an EM residency. Your evaluation is significantly less helpful if it is from a non-academic ED that is not used to supporting EM applicants. An eval from a rotation that has 90 students going through it a year who can say that you were in the top 10% of the students who did the rotation that year is far more helpful than one where only 3 students rotate. The same goes for a letter from an attending at a "low flow" EM rotation vs one supported by a residency where you might even be able to get an LOR from the program director him/herself.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I would definitely prioritize a second away rotation in EM over any international elective.

What if you don't end up getting a great SLOR from your month?

 

[emplease]

I appreciate all your responses.
I have already asked for letters and the writers said they would write me a strong letter so I am not too worried. I currently have 2-3 SLOR one being from my program director and another non EM letter

As a quick follow up, my home school offers another EM rotation at a smaller community ED that would be no more than a couple of clicks on a computer to get. Do you think that is what they are looking for or do to think it is stronger to go to a academic ED in another city? Lastly, Oct is the earliest i can schedule any rotation and it wont go on my transcript. Is it still beneficial?

Thanks again

 

[traumamonkey]

you can always add an october eval to your application--you just ask your dean's office to upload the letter for you. if you get a really good eval or letter from them you can also take copies with you to give to programs to add to your file and that will ensure the PDs see it.

october is not that late to do an away, but if you're coming from a school with a strong EM program and you have some good SLORs already then you don't necessarily need it.

 

[bartleby]

You are far better off as emergency medicine applicant doing additional rotation in an academic emergency department and in the community department. You'll get a better letter, all things being equal, from the academic department and you will have an additional rotation at a residency site under your belt. This experience would be helpful in evaluating the sites where you apply for residency.

If you get an SLOR from and October rotation, it might not be written and available in ERAS until November. This letter, therefore, may not be noticed by programs when they do their initial round of invitations for interview in early November. When you do interview, you should remind the program director and the administrative staff that you have a new letter available for them to download. If this letter is favorable, it will certainly make a difference when they make their rank list. If there is a program which does not invite you initially, you can always call their administrative staff and let them know they have an additional letter available which might increase the strength of your application.

Lastly, Oct is the earliest i can schedule any rotation and it wont go on my transcript. Is it still beneficial?