EM-come-lately

[genes]

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Hey everyone! I'm just starting to think seriously about EM, after trying to keep an open mind through preclinical years and PhD training... My third-year trauma surgery rotation just ended and I really enjoyed the time in the ED.

My school has produced a few classes full of gung-ho emergency docs, the kind of people who were EMT's in college and did ischemia research on the side.

My research area was... cartilage.

Is this late-blooming interest and lack of extracurricular ER stuff uncommon? Will it hurt me? Anything I should do between now and interviews?

I've enjoyed reading your posts, and look forward to chiming in more often.

 

[dwgs]

Hi there,

I, too, was a "late bloomer." I didn't decide to do EM until my required trauma rotation which I completed in April of my third year (until that point, I was going into surgery). So, late in the game, I signed up for an EM elective for September of my fourth year, loved it and decided it was definitely for me.

As you eluded, this is in stark contrast to some of our peers who were virtually born on an ambulance, doing EMT stuff while still in diapers. Has this hurt my application for residency? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I am in the process of interviewing now and have not had a single person make any negative comment to this effect. As long as you have a well thought out reason for wanting to do EM, you will be on an equal playing field with people who have known EM was their calling for years.

In fact, I had one interviewer ask the standard question, "Why EM?" and then added "and don't just tell me it's because you were in a rescue squad in college."

My best advice: think through WHY you want to do it. Be clear and honest with yourself. It's never a good idea to say "because I just want to help people." Give them a real answer and you'll be just fine.

Most important things you can do at this point: get great grades in your EM elective(s). Think of letters of recommendation; who will you ask, cozy up to attendings you like (don't be a kiss-ass, but get to know them).

Dwgs

 

[DrQuinn]

I'm a late bloomer myself... still waiting to hit puberty... but in the meantime...

Just make sure EM is for you. Do a rotation. Get a LOR. Join EMRA... read the posts of the SDN users here... get a gist of what EM is. Like I said, make sure its for you.

Don't worry about interview day, that's the easy part. It will be obvious that you were a late EM-chooser... and just answer accordingly.

Come on Tanner Stage 2!
Q, DO