EM rotation in August, no away rotation. Would I be okay applying?

[Jimmer Fredette]

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I have heard that an away rotation is very important in getting interviews for EM. I am in a dilemma where I am choosing between EM and another specialty. As it is right now, I won't be able to do an EM rotation until August which would mean that I wouldn't get an away rotation in time for my application to be sent out in September. I might even have a difficult time getting good LORs but I plan on doing some ER shifts on my own time before that if I choose EM for sure. My question for you experienced folks is how is my dilemma going to negatively affect my application and what could I do in those last few months to pull it up (barring being able to move my EM rotation up and go on an away)? I will give you my other stats so you know where I sit in that regard.

Step 1: 256
1-2nd year grades: mostly honors
3rd year: honors in 3/6 rotations.
Med school: middle of the road
Research: 1 pub in anesthesia (4th author), 1 textbook pub (2nd author)- it's not that impressive of a textbook.
Other: I am probably not that cool but I could play up some of my extracirriculars if needs be.

I appreciate your advice.

 

[Tiger26]

I have heard that an away rotation is very important in getting interviews for EM. I am in a dilemma where I am choosing between EM and another specialty. As it is right now, I won't be able to do an EM rotation until August which would mean that I wouldn't get an away rotation in time for my application to be sent out in September. I might even have a difficult time getting good LORs but I plan on doing some ER shifts on my own time before that if I choose EM for sure. My question for you experienced folks is how is my dilemma going to negatively affect my application and what could I do in those last few months to pull it up (barring being able to move my EM rotation up and go on an away)? I will give you my other stats so you know where I sit in that regard.

Step 1: 256
1-2nd year grades: mostly honors
3rd year: honors in 3/6 rotations.
Med school: middle of the road
Research: 1 pub in anesthesia (4th author), 1 textbook pub (2nd author)- it's not that impressive of a textbook.
Other: I am probably not that cool but I could play up some of my extracirriculars if needs be.

I appreciate your advice.

dude--you're fine

 

[Jimmer Fredette]

I appreciate the reassurance. My worry lies in sending in a weak application at the last minute and trying to bank on an above average step 1 score to bail me out of not looking dedicated to EM. Should I apply more broadly? Can I send in my grades from a later EM away rotation after the application deadline and would they be seen in time?

 

[GoGetEM]

In EM, SLORs > scores. I would try to get an away in even if late like October.

 

[alwaysaangel]

From your stats you'll be fine. But doing a slightly late away is fine. You usually want letters in by late October (before Deans letter is out) so try to get the away right after your home rotation.

 

[MountainEM]

just make sure you know what SLORS are (unique to EM) and that you have the mandatory 2 that some programs require before Nov 1st or so. I would try and fit in an away. I would of not matched to where i did if I did not do my away rotations. good luck

 

[alexmtr]

My stats are very similar to yours.
I didn't do my home EM until August and I didn't get a chance to do an away. We do have some elective time 3rd year, so I did 2 weeks of adult and 2 weeks of peds EM then. (everything at my home institution, which is an urban hospital with a residency program) During my EM month I tried to schedule my shifts so I got to work with the attendings I wanted to get the letters from more than once. I got 2 EM letters (one from the program director) and 1 letter from an IM attending who used to do EM. Very happy with the match results 😀
So you should be fine 🙂 👍
All that being said - try to do an away if you can. Doesn't look like it hurt me, but I worried about it a lot...

 

[SuziQ]

You will be fine. I didn't do an away rotation and it worked out perfectly. Get great SLORs from your one EM rotation, apply broadly enough, and everything will work out. Be able to explain "why EM" intelligently. I was asked at several places why I didn't do an away; explain it logically and no problemo.

 

[goodoldalky]

I was in the same boat as you with slightly lower numbers. Did not do an away. No problem with getting interviews and matched at my #1.

I would say: Don't stress over the away. You likely do not need it. Work hard on your home rotation (honors and strong letters will make the process a breeze for you) and you should be in good shape. Congrats on a solid resume thus far...

 

[Jimmer Fredette]

Thanks to you all and I am glad to hear that it worked out well for so many of you. I appreciate the advice. If anyone else has any more input I am all ears.