how competitive is cali?

[uclacrewdude]

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how much more competitive are cali residencies than elsewhere? is being an average student good enough? is research practically reqd?

all feedback is appreciate, thanks in advance 🙂

 

[The White Coat Investor]

This is EM. We get time outside the hospital, therefore, location matters more than in other specialties. For some strange reason, people actually like to live in California. Mostly its the weather, but there's something to be said for being 2-3 hours from both the beach and the mountains. And some people actually like the California culture. So yes, an average program in California is as competitive as a very good program in the Midwest. Sorry, its true.

 

[uclacrewdude]

ok, so next question: what's the best way for me to do well in an EM rotation? what else can i do besides score well on my ER eval?

 

[The White Coat Investor]

So you're asking how to do well on the EM rotation and then you ask if there is more to it than scoring well on the EM eval. The answer is no, there isn't more to it. But if you want advice to score well on the EM eval here you go:

Show up early and leave late.
See as many patients as you can.
Try to reduce the residents/attending's workload where possible.
Know the basic differentials for chest pain, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, back pain, headache, vertigo, syncope, fever etc.
Read about your patients.
Know everyone's name.
Try to functional at the level of an intern.

 

[ERMudPhud]

Desperado hit it pretty much right on. I would add.

When presenting patients have more than the H&P. Show us you've already thought about the differential and formulated a plan. DON'T initiate the plan without talking to us first.

If someone seems really sick and getting worse don't wait or worry you'll look alarmist get a resident or attending quick. Your abillity to recognize the really sick will be appreciated.

Get to know and work well the Seniors/Chiefs and don't spend to much time sucking up to the attendings

 

[uclacrewdude]

so basically just chill and get through my classes for now?