Matched #1 choice EM program with low board scores. AMA

[DrPatriot]

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Saw that some other MS4's started these threads for their respective specialties and thought I would give back. Hit me up with any questions...

No Step 1
Level 1 and Level 2 both <500
While I may be the exception to the rule don't always believe everything you read on SDN.

 

[jurassicpark]

Congratulations to your success! Just remember to be play nice with the internal med and FP peeps when handing out consults! 🙂

 

[slowthai]

You must've followed rule #1.



Rule #1 is don't be uglyᶦⁿ ᶜʰᵃʳᵃᶜᵗᵉʳ

 

[Dr.Bruh]

Congrats! Former AOA program? How many auditions did you do? How many interviews?? how many programs did you apply? Did you notice any geographic bias in interviews?

 

[allin1211]

What region/city did you match at?
How many auditions did you do?
Any extracurriculars that made you stand out?
How many interviews did you get?
Any advice on audition rotations for OMS3's?
Anything you wish you knew as an MS3 that you learned through the application process?

 

[BBQisgood4u]

You must've followed rule #1.



Rule #1 is don't be uglyᶦⁿ ᶜʰᵃʳᵃᶜᵗᵉʳ

So if I'm cute does it give me a fighting chance at obtaining a future residency?

 

[DrPatriot]

Congrats! Former AOA program? How many auditions did you do? How many interviews?? how many programs did you apply? Did you notice any geographic bias in interviews?

1. Yes, former AOA program
2. I went on 4 auditions (recommend going on as many as possible)
3. I ended up going on 11 interviews total (5 were for my backup specialty of IM)
4. I applied about 30 EM programs in total
5. I did notice a geographic bias in terms of interview invites (midwest) but at the same time I also screened a lot of interviews due to my own bias and living preference.

 

[DrPatriot]

What region/city did you match at?
How many auditions did you do?
Any extracurriculars that made you stand out?
How many interviews did you get?
Any advice on audition rotations for OMS3's?
Anything you wish you knew as an MS3 that you learned through the application process?

1. Midwest, Michigan
2. 4 auditions (do as many as possible)
3. I had a lot of leadership activities and work experience before med school. I wouldn't say any of my EC's were make or break on the interview trail. They mostly just come up as a way for interviewers to have something to talk about after they run out of the usual interview questions
4. Plenty of advice: I emailed a PD before I started my auditions and asked for advice and this was their tips for success of auditions,
"1. Work Ethic: Do you come early, stay late and pick up patients?
2. Work ethic: Do you help out? When needed do you help transfer patients, start IV's/foleys?
3. Teachability: Do you accept feedback and learn from it, especially from variable teachers, residents and off-service rotations
4. Are you an dingus?: If you suck up to residents and attendings but yell at cafeteria workers and nurses we will find out and not rank you."
So if you show up early, work your ass off and keep a smile on your face without being an dingus....you are better than the majority of people who will audition there. I was shocked how true this was. I showed up about 20 mins early for each shift and worked hard during my auditions. They key is to tty and not just become an auditioner in the dept, but to actually try and become part of the team and help move the dept. That can be as something as simple as keeping up on labs for a patient you saw or helping move a patient to CT. While these are small actions, they can be very beneficial and will paint you in a good light with the residents.
5. Not sure if you have heard of the site StatPearls, but it is a simple way to get a PubMed published article that you can put on your ERAS app. Osteopathic schools have weak research (I hate research) and so that is a way to at least not leave that section blank and it takes like 4/5hrs to do.
Other than that I learned that you can really tell about how you feel about a program about 5mins into the interview day or with interacting with the residents at the interview dinner. Some of your auditions you may find out you HATE the place/residents/culture and that is ok.

If you have more specific questions I am happy to answer them. Best of luck!

 

[You shall know the Truth]

Congrats

 

[slowthai]

So if I'm cute does it give me a fighting chance at obtaining a future residency?

Ya see, the fact that you're asking if you're cute tells me everything I need to know. You already failed rule #1

 

[DrPatriot]

Congrats! Did they ever bring up your work published from StatPearls at your interviews? How many of these research papers did you do?

I have zero research myself and trying to figure out how to make myself a better applicant.

Yeah my StatPearls publication did come up at some interviews and was positively received. I found out about it later in my med school journey so I was only able to complete one before auditions/interviews. While it isn't the best form of research, it is a quick way to make sure your publications section of ERAS is not blank. I would try and crank out a few of them if you have time.

 

[67552931811]

1. Yes, former AOA program
2. I went on 4 auditions (recommend going on as many as possible)
3. I ended up going on 11 interviews total (5 were for my backup specialty of IM)
4. I applied about 30 EM programs in total
5. I did notice a geographic bias in terms of interview invites (midwest) but at the same time I also screened a lot of interviews due to my own bias and living preference.

You must have giant cojones. Only 30 apps was ballsy as hell. Glad it worked out for you, though! Congrats!

 

[DrPatriot]

You must have giant cojones. Only 30 apps was ballsy as hell. Glad it worked out for you, though! Congrats!

Yeah it was definitely a huge gamble! If you are reading this and are completely EM or bust then you need to apply to a lot more. I wanted EM but I also wanted EM in a certain region hence the low number.

 

[BugzBunnyDoc]

Congratulations! At every step of the way, we hold that a standardized exam dictates the rest of our life. In high school, we thought the SAT would be the make it or break it. In college, it was the MCAT. In medical school its these licensing exams. At the end of the day, they matter but auditions and the rest of your application can push you through. Standardized exams don't define you as a person or as a physician. They don't put your scores at the end of your name on your white coat, just your doctorate that allows you to practice. I can't even remember my breakdowns from SAT or MCAT if you asked me. They only hold significance to a certain extent and certain point of time. congrats once again OP.

 

[kristysmiles]

1. Yes, former AOA program
2. I went on 4 auditions (recommend going on as many as possible)
3. I ended up going on 11 interviews total (5 were for my backup specialty of IM)
4. I applied about 30 EM programs in total
5. I did notice a geographic bias in terms of interview invites (midwest) but at the same time I also screened a lot of interviews due to my own bias and living preference.

Appreciate the input. My school also recommends going on as many aways as possible. Currently CORD and EMRA released a joint statement stating that students should limit EM rotations to no more than 2 due to the limited rotation slots. They also implied it would be a red flag if we did more than that. What are your thoughts on this? My stats are similar to yours, haven't taken step 2 yet though.

 

[DrPatriot]

Appreciate the input. My school also recommends going on as many aways as possible. Currently CORD and EMRA released a joint statement stating that students should limit EM rotations to no more than 2 due to the limited rotation slots. They also implied it would be a red flag if we did more than that. What are your thoughts on this? My stats are similar to yours, haven't taken step 2 yet though.

I heard something about that. I totally understand their reasoning but at the same time I personally would be trying to schedule as many as possible. If you limit yourself to 2 SLOE's than I think you would be fine. Programs aren't really going to look at how many rotations you went on but they will definitely care if you auditioned with them and that is where you can make up for your deficiencies....

Just my 2¢. Obviously you have to follow your own gut. I'm sure this audition/application season is going to be absolutely unreal and PD's are going to have to adapt to the strange times.

 

[DrPatriot]

Congratulations! At every step of the way, we hold that a standardized exam dictates the rest of our life. In high school, we thought the SAT would be the make it or break it. In college, it was the MCAT. In medical school its these licensing exams. At the end of the day, they matter but auditions and the rest of your application can push you through. Standardized exams don't define you as a person or as a physician. They don't put your scores at the end of your name on your white coat, just your doctorate that allows you to practice. I can't even remember my breakdowns from SAT or MCAT if you asked me. They only hold significance to a certain extent and certain point of time. congrats once again OP.

Thanks Bugz!