finally.. the MS-4 THREAD!

[substanceP]

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Sucks. I take it on Friday.

Good luck. I'm taking it in about 4 weeks.

 

[mfleur]

How many programs are you guys planning on applying too? I'm thinking about applying to about 40 programs.

I don't know yet....20-25.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Yipee, Step II CK is out of the way. As assumed, it sucked.

I can not really say anything was 'heavy' except that there were many more psych questions than I would have thought.... make that many schizo type patients in psych questions.

Everything was well covered, I did ~75% of the QBank questions (had a 56%) and read most of FA. Hard to say how I did, first hope is that I passed, second hope is that I did quite a bit better than that. We shall see..

Now time to head off to my two EM away rotations... I'm hyped!

On the question about how many programs to apply to. I am planning on ~50. Overall, I am applying to everything east of the Rockies minus New York. Nothing against the other places, just not where I want to live. I might submit a few western places like Arizona and Nevada...

 

[EctopicFetus]

Other PD's I've talked to over the last few months have said the opposite. They told me that an above average Step 2 score would actually negate a somewhat subpar Step 1 score, since they are more interested in clinical knowledge. However, the number one factor is still SLORs from your away rotations.

Thats is true.. Dr Will I think this is probably variable with some PDs but for example I didnt take step 2 prior to interview time.. I think you would have to rock step 2 to make up for a crappy step 1.. If you score poorly on step 1 and then avg on step 2 sure you will prob match somewhere but and avg step 1 and a poor step 2 is usually better.

FWIW LORs do matter most people commented on mine at a bunch of the places i interviewed at.

 

[EctopicFetus]

# of programs depends on how good of a candidate you are. No one should apply to less than 20 IMO.. Em is some what competetive.

 

[trkd]

Thats is true.. Dr Will I think this is probably variable with some PDs but for example I didnt take step 2 prior to interview time.. I think you would have to rock step 2 to make up for a crappy step 1.. If you score poorly on step 1 and then avg on step 2 sure you will prob match somewhere but and avg step 1 and a poor step 2 is usually better.

FWIW LORs do matter most people commented on mine at a bunch of the places i interviewed at.

Oh, excuse me. I am just a bit nauseous. If anyone needs me for the first 9 hrs 😱 of my day tomorrow, I will be holed up in a room considering any possible reasons for living while taking step 2. My butt hurts just thinking about the 9 hrs in that chair. But I guess I could be working at a desk job from 9-5 for the rest of my life like the rest of the world. It's all relative I guess.

 

[blackbird03]

Hi,

I'm currently doing an MS4 EM rotation (my first). I have been working my butt off, trying to pick up patients, doing thorough yet time-efficient history and physicals, ordering, putting IVs or whatever procedures they need. The greatest satisfaction has been my interaction with my patients and the staff (residents and nurses). 😀

It has, however, been difficult for me to shine in front of the attending physician. I don't know if any of you guys feel the same way but while attending is working on 15 patients and the incoming traumas, they don't necessarily see all the hard work you do for your patients. I could pester them with each new lab that comes back to let them know i'm on top of it, but I don't find it efficient that way. How do you guys show your work ethic elegantly?

In addition, although I do have a pretty good idea of what first steps to make in terms of treatment and diagnosis, I am still not well versed at formulating a complete plan by myself. Admission and consults always seem like this vague thing depending on many variables. Do you guys have this problem?

Finally, I must say althought I can't see myself doing anything else than emergency medicine, calling consults has been the most frustrating part of my rotation. Ffrom my small experience, some physicians will pimp the hell out of you before they even consider getting down to see the patient. 😡 Any tips to be smooth on the phone?

 

[streetdoc]

This is an ERAS question-
how are you guys filling out the explination of you extacurriculars? It seems easy for work and research, but I'm not sure what to say about some of the ECs. Do you write complete sentances and list all of the projects you did with thqt orginization? anyone leaving it blank?

Also, if you were in an organization and leter became VP/pres/etc are you making a separate entry?

one last confusing point-under the honor/professional societies what belongs here exactly? do we list things like ACEP and SAEM? they aren't honor but i guess they are professional.
thanks for the help guys-this process sucks since i'm getting beaten down on neuro at the moment.
streetdoc

 

[trkd]

Hi,

I'm currently doing an MS4 EM rotation (my first). I have been working my butt off, trying to pick up patients, doing thorough yet time-efficient history and physicals, ordering, putting IVs or whatever procedures they need. The greatest satisfaction has been my interaction with my patients and the staff (residents and nurses). 😀

It has, however, been difficult for me to shine in front of the attending physician. I don't know if any of you guys feel the same way but while attending is working on 15 patients and the incoming traumas, they don't necessarily see all the hard work you do for your patients. I could pester them with each new lab that comes back to let them know i'm on top of it, but I don't find it efficient that way. How do you guys show your work ethic elegantly?

In addition, although I do have a pretty good idea of what first steps to make in terms of treatment and diagnosis, I am still not well versed at formulating a complete plan by myself. Admission and consults always seem like this vague thing depending on many variables. Do you guys have this problem?

Finally, I must say althought I can't see myself doing anything else than emergency medicine, calling consults has been the most frustrating part of my rotation. Ffrom my small experience, some physicians will pimp the hell out of you before they even consider getting down to see the patient. 😡 Any tips to be smooth on the phone?

Totally know how you feel. Unless there is nothing going on, attendings don't have any clue about what you are doing. I don't have any suggestions for you but I can say that I feel the same. 😳 Also, I would be sitting there waiting for labs so I could either A) take more patients OR B) sit there and wait for labs and look like I was doing nothing. If I took more patients, I didn't want to look like I was just taking more patients without following up on the old ones. So I would have 3 patients but would be sitting on ay a$$ waiting for labs/rads/whatever. 👎

 

[allylz]

OK, I'm going to answer multiple things people are talking about.

I'm applying to probably 15-20 programs. Maybe I would apply to fewer, but I'm couples matching so it pays to be safe.

For the ERAS, I would put in some description of the extracurricular you have done that gives the person an idea of what it is so they won't just skim by and think nothing of it. For example, if you write "Lighthouse Clinic" that doesn't mean anything to them. But if you write "Lighthouse Clinic: Coordinator of weekly student clinic for refugees and the homeless." That's far more interesting and gives an idea of what your motivation and commitment was. (Also seems highly applicable to your residency app) That also applies to awards. "Smith Award" means nothing. "Smith award: For the third year student that best exemplifies professionalism, academic excellence, and compassion." - then hey! you look like a superstar.

🙂 Also I've had the same problem on a previous rotation at the ED with attendings not noticing me. I found that they like it if you listen to their stories about the good old days. Also I think it always pays to do really well with the residents and nurses because they must talk about you to the attendings, after all hospitals are full of gossip. I know currently in the anesthesia elective at my school the residents are always talking about how one student has a 'bad attitude' etc. behind his back.

 

[Dr. Will]

Hi,

I'm currently doing an MS4 EM rotation (my first). I have been working my butt off, trying to pick up patients, doing thorough yet time-efficient history and physicals, ordering, putting IVs or whatever procedures they need. The greatest satisfaction has been my interaction with my patients and the staff (residents and nurses). 😀

It has, however, been difficult for me to shine in front of the attending physician. I don't know if any of you guys feel the same way but while attending is working on 15 patients and the incoming traumas, they don't necessarily see all the hard work you do for your patients. I could pester them with each new lab that comes back to let them know i'm on top of it, but I don't find it efficient that way. How do you guys show your work ethic elegantly?

In addition, although I do have a pretty good idea of what first steps to make in terms of treatment and diagnosis, I am still not well versed at formulating a complete plan by myself. Admission and consults always seem like this vague thing depending on many variables. Do you guys have this problem?

Finally, I must say althought I can't see myself doing anything else than emergency medicine, calling consults has been the most frustrating part of my rotation. Ffrom my small experience, some physicians will pimp the hell out of you before they even consider getting down to see the patient. 😡 Any tips to be smooth on the phone?

I feel you on this. It's difficult to stand out at times, especially when you work with many of these attendings one time only. The problem is they don't really get to see your progression. The best thing to do, as I found out last night since my attending was constantly busy with trauma after trauma, is to keep them informed about what's going on with the patient often. Try running the board with the attending (for your patients) and let them know if anything has changed, etc, etc and if your plan changes. If nothing is striking, etc, it may not be worth mentioning. It shows them that you're at least on top of what's going on.

As for the unfortunate downtime that occurs...if you already have multiple patients (3-4), I wouldn't suggest picking up another. Spreading yourself too thin at this stage isn't the wisest thing to do, especially if you forget some details. I've found that this helps...asking the other residents and even the attending if there is anything they need help with as you wait for results to trickle back. Even letting them know you're interested in doing procedures helps out. I got to suture some nasty head lacs last night on patients that I didn't even see...shoot I almost managed to get a thoracentesis (stupid traumas!)

As for consultants...this is where I'm having the most difficulty myself. Some of them have been great and understanding I'm a student. Others continually pimp me...and all I want to say is "WE WANT YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT! THAT'S WHY WE CALLED YOU!" The best advice is try to have as much info at your side when you call, run it through your head before you call, or even go over what you want to say with the Sr. resident. Mine have been willing to do that time and time again.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Hi,

I'm currently doing an MS4 EM rotation (my first). I have been working my butt off, trying to pick up patients, doing thorough yet time-efficient history and physicals, ordering, putting IVs or whatever procedures they need. The greatest satisfaction has been my interaction with my patients and the staff (residents and nurses). 😀

It has, however, been difficult for me to shine in front of the attending physician. I don't know if any of you guys feel the same way but while attending is working on 15 patients and the incoming traumas, they don't necessarily see all the hard work you do for your patients. I could pester them with each new lab that comes back to let them know i'm on top of it, but I don't find it efficient that way. How do you guys show your work ethic elegantly?

In addition, although I do have a pretty good idea of what first steps to make in terms of treatment and diagnosis, I am still not well versed at formulating a complete plan by myself. Admission and consults always seem like this vague thing depending on many variables. Do you guys have this problem?

Finally, I must say althought I can't see myself doing anything else than emergency medicine, calling consults has been the most frustrating part of my rotation. Ffrom my small experience, some physicians will pimp the hell out of you before they even consider getting down to see the patient. 😡 Any tips to be smooth on the phone?

I am an MS4 as well and am about to start two months of EM away electives. Something that I have noticed is that obviously a medical student is at the bottom of the chain, however, I DO think that hard work gets noticed. Someone else already mentioned about the small talk that goes on about everyone (i.e. medicine is a small world). I think the best key at an away elective is that you get noticed by at least someone as a hard worker and always dependable. It will get to 'the people that matter' eventually. If you can not score that, at least be under the wire in that nobody is saying anything bad about you.

Even if you do not think the attending is noticing, keep working hard. It is only four weeks and hopefully you get satisfaction out of what you are doing. It seems like things usually work out in the end anyhow....

From what I have been told/read is that the key is not to see a TON of patients, but to see a few patients very well... stay on top of all the labs and keep the flow going. Everyone knows that with time, we all become more efficient.... and with that if we can manage two patients very well at this point in the game, its only a matter of time before we can do ten.

I can't wait to start on Monday!

Good luck!

 

[BadVB750]

I'm heading down to my away elective today, I've been looking forward to this rotation for along time. The only part that sucks is sleeping in a strange bed. The only time that is fun is when there is a leggy blonde next to you .

 

[TysonCook]

Presenting 1-2 patients well and knowing what you are going to do from A-Z is much better than having 6 patients and only knowing their CC's. Consultants also can't give you too much crap if you already have all the patients info.

Don't sweat the attendings, just wait until they look like they are approachable, and then ask really politely "Dr. X, can I tell you about my patients really briefly". By briefly, I mean quick CC/Hx/Comorbidities/Labs/DDx/Plan/Dispo all in <2min.

Trust me, nobody notices if you have 2 patients or 10, but we do notice if you are fumbling around and don't have answers VS knowing the pt, having a good DDx, and dispo ready.

I know that as interns we see a lot of patients, but it IS NEVER expected of the students. They are expected to only see what interests them NOT TO MOVE MEAT. I never ever ever ever would expect a student to work the board/pick up patients that are SOSDD (same old sh** diff day), that is what we as residents are paid for 😀 .

Oh, and if it's an abscess, its an abscess Don't go too overboard. If you want to make a resident be your BFF, ask to suture wounds. Suturing is fun, but kills throughput as a resident. I love it if a student wants to do lacs and I will give you props to the attending.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I am settled in at Scott and White but do not take my first shift until Wednesday.

I shot this picture at sunset last night.

I am working on a photo gallery of my visit to central Texas and will get a link up over the next few weeks for those interested in the area.

 

[DrQuinn]

Hi,

I'm currently doing an MS4 EM rotation (my first). I have been working my butt off, trying to pick up patients, doing thorough yet time-efficient history and physicals, ordering, putting IVs or whatever procedures they need. The greatest satisfaction has been my interaction with my patients and the staff (residents and nurses). 😀

It has, however, been difficult for me to shine in front of the attending physician. I don't know if any of you guys feel the same way but while attending is working on 15 patients and the incoming traumas, they don't necessarily see all the hard work you do for your patients. I could pester them with each new lab that comes back to let them know i'm on top of it, but I don't find it efficient that way. How do you guys show your work ethic elegantly?

In addition, although I do have a pretty good idea of what first steps to make in terms of treatment and diagnosis, I am still not well versed at formulating a complete plan by myself. Admission and consults always seem like this vague thing depending on many variables. Do you guys have this problem?

Finally, I must say althought I can't see myself doing anything else than emergency medicine, calling consults has been the most frustrating part of my rotation. Ffrom my small experience, some physicians will pimp the hell out of you before they even consider getting down to see the patient. 😡 Any tips to be smooth on the phone?

🙂 I remember those days! Luckily for me, one of my audition EM rotations was at a place where basically teh only patients I saw was dental pain and back pain, so it made presentations easy peasy.... 🙂

So I'm about 11 shifts into being an attending at an EM residency, adn I can just give you a few pointers into what I've noticed really makes for a nice student shift. (I've had students throughout residency, but its a bit different now that I'm the attending). Try not to see TOO many patients. Teaching does take time, and I try to really listen and formulate a plan and teach some pearls in each case that you present. You keep chugging along and getting new patients can really slow me down, and seeing and doing the intial workup in a patient is the easy part, its the disposition and management that is the hard part (and fun part sometimes).

So, after you see 2 patients or so, go back to patient #1. See if the motrin/morphine helped their pain. See if the lopressor dropped their pressure a bit. See if they still have chest pain after nitro. Check up on their CXR. Have they gotten their antibiotics? Is their urine back?

Maybe go see patient #3.

Now definately go back to patients #1 and 2. How are they doing? Is everything back yet?

Lets say patient #1 has antibiotics. CBC is back, Blood cultures are done, CXR is done. Interpret them for me. Something as simple as "Mr. Smith has a white count of 18, his fever is better, his O2 sat is 100% on RA, and his CXR shows a right lower lobe infiltrate. He's 70 years old, and I think he's ready to be admitted." Sounds good to me! Make sure you know the patient's primary care provider, too. That is so helpful, since we usually have to make the phone calls.

I don't let the students talk to consultants, really. That is an art, and takes a lot of learning to get good at doing. I don't mind if the students talks to the resident when they come down to admit hte patient.... But regardless, if you're given the task to the consultant, short and sweet!

For example:

"Mr. Smith is a 70 year old gentleman who came into our ER with fever and cough. His CXR shows a RLL infiltrate, he's got a white count of 18, his O2 sat is ok. We gave him X antibiotics. Do you want to admit him yourself or do youw ant me to call the hospitalist?" Now if your'e dealing with a resident, just say "He's ready to be admitted. Oh, and we did blood cultures for you."

The soft admissions are tough and best left to the attending.

One other thing. I absolutely love my ED nurses. They are the coolest people on the planet, they have the same sense of humor as I do, and they love to go out drinking with me, so I love them even more. Help them out. Do not condescend. You piss off one of my nurses with a bad attitude and its game over. Be nice, offer to help them. If its not too busy, ask them to show you how to start an IV. or start it yourself. Learn to spike a bag of IV fluid, clear the line, and set it up to the heplock, etc etc. It makes a big difference, and if the nurses love you, I love you.

Hope this helps! Try to enjoy your rotation!

Q

 

[anonymousEM]

Agree with Quinn totally. I also just graduated. In my residency the sr residents supervised the students usually but the attendings definately knew what the students were like and took our comments very very seriously. We rounded on all the pts between shifts all together and the students would sometimes present one or two. This was the major attending face time so using some downtime to read up on the problem so you have an idea of the pimp questions that are coming.

No one expects you to know everything but have an idea of a diagnostic plan and differential. Don't just do an h&p and stop.

Oh and personal pet peeve. I don't really care if you go to the cafeteria, internal medicine conference, meeting with your advisor etc but if you're leaving the area let me know and when you plan to be back and what you did or didn't already do in the plan we've discussed.

 

[deleted109597]

So, took Step II CS yesterday.

Is anyone else still curious as to why the form still says ECFMG at the top?

 

[jdpjdp88@hotmai]

Took my step II ck a couple weeks ago. Currently finishing up my ED rotation here at Arkansas. The program is going through some transition right now in its leadership. I have been getting to do alot of stiching, draining abscesses. They really give you alot of autonomy for the most part in seeing your patients and writing your own order for labs and meds. I go to Carolinas in Sept./Oct. for my away rotation. Has anyone been to carolinas for a rotation. Any info. appreciated.

 

[RayF]

I am settled in at Scott and White but do not take my first shift until Wednesday.

I shot this picture at sunset last night.

I am working on a photo gallery of my visit to central Texas and will get a link up over the next few weeks for those interested in the area.

Great picture.. Great idea, let's start the official MS4 "on-the-road" photo gallery right here!

 

[BKN]

🙂 Also I've had the same problem on a previous rotation at the ED with attendings not noticing me. I found that they like it if you listen to their stories about the good old days.

Right. I remember feeling extremely impatient when hearing about stuff that didn't apply to the patient and era at hand. Now I feel differently. Usually when one of us old guys hits our anecdotage and starts spouting about how we used to handle it, it's because we believe that there's a larger lesson about the disease process that's been lost. On the other hand, sometimes we're just babbling. Humor us, aging is gonna happen to you too.

Otherwise Quinn and Anonymous have given really good advice about the dynamic with attendings. Waiting for them to be semiopen and reviewing the patients is a great idea. Don't be surprised if they've forgotten the patient you talked about an hour ago. They've probably got another 20 in their heads and have discarded thinking about your's until you give a progress report. If they are telling you about lab work or films that have arrived on your patients, that's bad. They're telling you indirectly that you're not following up.

I'll add something else that I've said before.

As soon as you arrive on the audition rotation, ask for an appointment with the PD. Tell him you're interested in EM and achieving a strong SLOR. Ask him for at least two shifts with him or the chair. Show up early to shifts, stay late and convince everybody you'd be a dream to work with. Volunteer to do a case presentation.

On the speed thing, I agree with what others say. If I'm directly supervising you, I don't want you to pick up more patients than you can handle. If you do you commiting more time from me to figure out each patient. That makes it harder to run the rest of the board.

If you want to make me happy:
1. Tell me immediately if you have picked up a patient with worrisome vital signs or triage note so that we can begin treatment together. I do not want to hear about them after you've spent an hour on H&P while the patient deteriorated.
2. Do the H&P on the stable patients. Come to me with a most likely diagnosis, a differential of no more than 5 alternatives and a diagnostic plan to differentiate them as well as an initial treatment plan.
3. Convince me that your interpersonal skills are good.

But remember, nobody expects you to perform at a advanced level. What we are looking for is the potential for knowledge, multitasking and interpersonal excellence. Relax and enjoy your rotation.

 

[streetdoc]

quick question, guys.
will not having 3 letters into ERAS by the time i submit slow down the interview offers? (supposing i get interviews)
i should have 1 EM letter in by then, but my last EM rotation ends
in mid october. I'm hoping some of you guys are in the same boat?? anyone??

thanks,
streetdoc

 

[VALSALVA]

quick question, guys.
will not having 3 letters into ERAS by the time i submit slow down the interview offers? (supposing i get interviews)
i should have 1 EM letter in by then, but my last EM rotation ends
in mid october. I'm hoping some of you guys are in the same boat?? anyone??

thanks,
streetdoc

Great question! I'm in a similar situation. I'm finishing one EM rotation now but won't be on EM service again until October. I'm thinking I'll go ahead and submit ASAP and add additional letters later.

Would it be wise to add a disclaimer at the end of my personal statement stating that I will be adding that second SLOR at the end of Oct??

Thanks

 

[BKN]

quick question, guys.
will not having 3 letters into ERAS by the time i submit slow down the interview offers? (supposing i get interviews)
i should have 1 EM letter in by then, but my last EM rotation ends
in mid october. I'm hoping some of you guys are in the same boat?? anyone??

thanks,
streetdoc

At my shop it would depend, If your app was otherwise good, I'd offer after 1 letter, transcript and scores. On the other hand if app not so good, might wait for all of the letters before rejecting. Generally the middle would wait for after the dean's letter Nov 1st regardless of number of LORs. Other may do it differently.

The ERAS software is pretty sophisticated in allowing choices for offer, reject and several categories of hold as well as bringing up previously reviewed apps only when new material appears. So we just keep going over the stuff through the season.

 

[SoCuteMD]

http://www.uicomp.uic.edu/Students/NRMP - Charting Outcomes in the Match.pdf

Interesting article.

 

[Hard24Get]

Wow, 50% of folks are pubished, and many have greater than 5 papers?! Doesn't that seem shockingly high for EM?... oh well at least only 10% are AOA...

http://www.uicomp.uic.edu/Students/NRMP - Charting Outcomes in the Match.pdf

Interesting article.

 

[Baki]

Hey guys,

I had a question concerning the Standardized Letters of Reccomendations (SLOR's); does it have to come from an EM boarded physician to count? Our department here does not have many EM trained physicians, and the ones I worked with are other disciplines. Do you guys know if I can still ask one for a SLOR and have it count? Thank, keep this thread going...good stuff. 🙂

 

[StudentDoc327]

Hey guys,

I had a question concerning the Standardized Letters of Reccomendations (SLOR's); does it have to come from an EM boarded physician to count? Our department here does not have many EM trained physicians, and the ones I worked with are other disciplines. Do you guys know if I can still ask one for a SLOR and have it count? Thank, keep this thread going...good stuff. 🙂

I think there has been some discussion about this in the past and it was said by people more knowledgeable than I that only EM faculty from an academic program could write SLORs.

 

[Hawk22]

I think there has been some discussion about this in the past and it was said by people more knowledgeable than I that only EM faculty from an academic program could write SLORs.

Remember, alot of the "old school" faculty that are currently on EM faculty aren't actually board certified in EM but were grandfathered into their positions. If this is the case, I don't see why they couldn't write one of these letters as well.

 

[Apollyon]

Remember, alot of the "old school" faculty that are currently on EM faculty aren't actually board certified in EM but were grandfathered into their positions. If this is the case, I don't see why they couldn't write one of these letters as well.

"Grandfathered in" means (usually) board-certified via the practice track (which closed in 1992), which was board eligibility via time working in the ED, vs. being residency trained.

 

[allylz]

So I'm kind of bummed out this week and I thought here might be an OK place to vent?

First I tried to see patients w/my school's PD and felt like I totally screwed it up (had the lamest differential ever for abdominal pain, brought him the wrong ultrasound machine, we never figured out what was wrong with the pt and he seemed crabby)... then I am waiting to hear back on an away rotation for next month - I got excited about EM late in third year when I did a rotation and so my application was belated - and the admin there is sounding pretty negative. I don't know if any other place worth going to will let me come to work there at this point since the rotation is 3 weeks away... in the meantime all this ERAS stuff is stressing me out... like yesterday I got my picture taken and I think I look bizarre....

On the plus side I am on my acting internship here and enjoying it so much, I can't believe people get paid to do this when I'm so happy doing it for free.

 

[american IMG]

Some previous post mentioned dress in ED for men, just wondering what female students usually wear. I'm coming off 3 years in school in Israel, where jeans and sandals are accepted everywhere (in the ED, at your wedding... it's a casual country). From here, it sounds like I won't know if scrubs are ok until I get there. But in case scrubs aren't ok, anyone know what a girl can wear?

Thanks.

 

[deleted109597]

Scrubs are fine.
Otherwise, dressy casual clothes are fine. I wouldn't wear anything too nice.

 

[trkd]

Some previous post mentioned dress in ED for men, just wondering what female students usually wear. I'm coming off 3 years in school in Israel, where jeans and sandals are accepted everywhere (in the ED, at your wedding... it's a casual country). From here, it sounds like I won't know if scrubs are ok until I get there. But in case scrubs aren't ok, anyone know what a girl can wear?

Thanks.

Dress pants (Banana Republic sort of stuff) with a non-casual shirt (long/short sleeve but OK looking.... The Gap will do). Dress shoes from where ever will do but shouldn't be too expensive because you might get them bloody. When I dress up for the ED, this is generally what I do. Others are different, I suppose. I am guessing from your screen name that you are originally from America in which case you probably are familiar with the brands I mentioned. If not, check out the websites. You obviously don't have to wear these brands, just trying to give you the general idea. That said, I usually wear scrubs. I don't think there are many places that you can't wear scrubs to the ED. Also, for more info, you can search the forum for "what to wear" under the Clincal Rotations forum. This has come up before. Good luck.

 

[streetdoc]

I'm sure i'm stressing over this ERAS stuff way too much, but I just found out my school does not send transcripts in for another 2-3 weeks. My EM grades will not be in by then. So, do I go ahead and send all my application stuff in and then the programs will have to keep looking for my grades OR do I wait till atleast 1 of my EM grades is in and then submit? just how often do programs download updates (like AOA/reasearch updates/ etc).
Thanks for any advice,
streetdoc
(way too stressed considering this is 4th year!!)

 

[BKN]

I'm sure i'm stressing over this ERAS stuff way too much, but I just found out my school does not send transcripts in for another 2-3 weeks. My EM grades will not be in by then. So, do I go ahead and send all my application stuff in and then the programs will have to keep looking for my grades OR do I wait till atleast 1 of my EM grades is in and then submit? just how often do programs download updates (like AOA/reasearch updates/ etc).
Thanks for any advice,
streetdoc
(way too stressed considering this is 4th year!!)

Just send the stuff in. If we don't see your 4th year EM elective's grade on your transcript, it'll show up on your SLOR.

The ERAS updates every time we log on (like several times a day).

 

[chumbojumbo]

BKN-

How does it look when an applicant applying to EM has only done one EM rotation? Do PDs wonder why more EM rotations were not pursued? Also, how many interviews should we shoot for being an IMG? Thank you sir.

 

[BKN]

BKN-

How does it look when an applicant applying to EM has only done one EM rotation? Do PDs wonder why more EM rotations were not pursued?

I personally don't care, probably others would wonder if the student was looking are several specialties and might not be committed to the field.

Also, how many interviews should we shoot for being an IMG? Thank you sir.

There's no question that it's a disadvantage. I'd say as many as you can get. If you are very competitive in mles you might look to do 10 - 15 same as the american grads.

 

[mfleur]

What is the minimum amount of application materials that can be submitted initially? As far a PS, transcript, photo, etc. After submitting initially, can you only make additions or changes too? Does getting it in on Sept 1 really make any difference?

By the way, not lazy, just in Guatemala right now.

 

[BKN]

What is the minimum amount of application materials that can be submitted initially? As far a PS, transcript, photo, etc. After submitting initially, can you only make additions or changes too? Does getting it in on Sept 1 really make any difference?

By the way, not lazy, just in Guatemala right now.

Don't know the answer to first 2 questions. Last question, no. I hate to set a date, since I look at new stuff as late as mid-december. I'm pretty sure there's little difference between 1 Sept and 1 Oct.

 

[fuegorama]

I have an opportunity to do an "informal interview/site visit". They have scheduled me for ~6h dept. time.
Any advice?

My fantasy would be for a couple of hours spent w/PD or faculty hopefully w/ the chance to present a pt. or two.
I also anticipate a lot of "what do you want to know about us?"

I can kind of suss out this query, but what I really want to know is what do I not ask?
What are the taboo questions?
Thanks.

 

[Dr. Will]

UC Davis...great program as I just finished up my acting sub-I there. Great faculty and residents who are all really helpful. I got a chance to work one shift with the PD, Dr. Sokolove, since he was on vacation most of the time. Very friendly and eager to teach. He threw down an EKG for me to interpret at 6am (the 11th hour of my 12+ hour shift). Needless to say, I didn't shine on that one. My brain power was lacking...and I usually do pretty well with EKG's. I missed some real gimmies on that. Easily the most frustrating part of my 4 weeks there. 🙁

 

[Cric4U]

I wouldn't worry about reading an EKG with Dr. Sokolove. It's not what you know but if you are personable and teachable...as a resident at Davis I would take an intern that is accepting of teaching over a "know-it-all" any day. I'm happy you had a good experience at Davis. Now early in my second year I can honestly say that I couldn't ask for anything more in a program. Great pathology. Outstanding faculty. Incredible co-residents. Send me a message with any questions.

Take Care,
-Ross Albright PGY-II UCDMC E-med

 

[RayF]

I think it would be great if PDs/Residents were to describe their program for MS4's in terms of how they are different/ +'s and -'s/ number of shifts/ and what type of applicants would fit best in their program.
I think the last part is MOST HELPFUL.. MS4's can also write after rotations.

thnx

 

[Hard24Get]

I think it would be great if PDs/Residents were to describe their program for MS4's in terms of how they are different/ +'s and -'s/ number of shifts/ and what type of applicants would fit best in their program.
I think the last part is MOST HELPFUL.. MS4's can also write after rotations.

thnx

I think the last part is so useful you should turn it into its own thread! 👍

 

[deleted109597]

CK tomorrow. Just waiting out the minutes.

As an aside, I really hate it when you take practice tests that seem obnoxiously hard, and then you take the real test and it isn't that hard. Why do the practice test writers do that? To make you go back and study more?

 

[trkd]

I can kind of suss out this query

aussie? british? Interesting terminology.

 

[trkd]

CK tomorrow. Just waiting out the minutes.

As an aside, I really hate it when you take practice tests that seem obnoxiously hard, and then you take the real test and it isn't that hard. Why do the practice test writers do that? To make you go back and study more?

I thought the exam sucked (just like the practice tests did) but I got my score back today and I am stoked. Even if you came out of the exam thinking you did awful, it probably wasn't as bad as you think. Hope it all went well for you. 😳

 

[MushieCookie]

congrats trkd! Glad to hear you did well.

I did well too...just not as well as I would have liked/expected. Oh well...

 

[trkd]

congrats trkd! Glad to hear you did well.

I did well too...just not as well as I would have liked/expected. Oh well...

Congrats to both of us for being done with it. I'll see you on the interview trail!👍