Most selective EM residency?

[Roy7]

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Okay, before everyone busts out their flame throwers, let me say where I'm coming from...

Okay, i'm a third year, wanting to do emergency medicine. I've got to pick away electives next year (I get up to 8!), and I wanted to either be at the hospital I'd like to go to, or do an EM rotation there. In the area I'd like to do go (MD, DC, VA, PA), there are about 10-15 schools/programs that I like - I'm basing this on what I've heard from people, some of the people at the programs that I've met, the demographics of the area, and how cool some people here from the different programs seem to be.

Now, I gotta pick where to rotate at and I'm stuck. I have no clue where to begin. The whole "where would you be happiest" doesnt really work because I dont have time to go live at each place for a month to see. I've got a pseudo-list of places i'm looking at from a thread a posted a few months back, but wanted to get some more info..

I'd just like to know where the most competitive places are so that I can do my away roatations there - just in case I end up falling in love with a program, I'd at least have had the opportunity to be there meet everyone. Otherwise I'm just gonna pick a bunch of schools I like do my rotations there and always wonder "would this place have been better".

Please try to understand where i'm coming from - I've kinda posted this same concern in other threads and no ones responded, so I'm half assuming that there is no definitive answer, but it doesnt hurt to try.

And when I say most competitive, it could be because of few spots, high applicants etc.

Last thing, "competitiveness", is just one out of 1000 criteria I'm trying to use to decide, but I'd like to have that criteria if it's available anywhere.

Thanks again.

 

[PowderHound]

If you think you'd like to end up doing residency at a high-powered academic place, you may consider rotating at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore

 

[docB]

Otherwise I'm just gonna pick a bunch of schools I like do my rotations there and always wonder "would this place have been better".

Yes. Exactly. That's just what you do.

You try to figure out what program would fit you the best and go for it. Trying to split the difference and rotate somewhere just because you think it might be harder to match at while skipping the program you like better is not a good strategy.

As for always wondering about the other programs it's inevitable. For example I look back and wonder what my residency and life would have been like if I had gone to my #2 choice. It would have been very different. I also look back and wonder what would have happened had I gone academic rather than private practice EM. I still wish I had bought more real estate in the late nineties. I also shouldn't have bought the undercoating option on that new car. Every decision carries risks. Life after high school is about making choice after choice that limits your future choices, usually with imperfect information (just like in EM). And that's just life.

Take a good hard look at yourself and the programs. Think it over. Talk to those important in your life and make a decision.

Remember indecisiveness leads to all kinds of problems such as wondering about med/peds/EM/CC/Tox/Colorectal surgery/podiatry/holistic naturopathy combined programs.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

My guess on the most selective would be UPMC, GWU, Christiana, UVA, and Penn. You might also look at the incoming resident class size because the programs that have smaller class sizes tend to interview less people.

Competitiveness and selectivity do not necessarily correlate with reputation. There are a lot of smaller programs out there that are very selective because they are in a choice location but are by no means legends in the field.

I imagine what you are thinking is that you want to do a rotation in the place where you think you can get the best education but also has a good reputation. Of those, you feel like you want to do your visiting rotation at the most selective.

 

[Midwest Medic]

Well....the DO programs only take DOs.....

 

[ditch doctor]

Hmmm.... In and Out residency is on the west coast, so that's out... East coast is the 5 Guys residency, I think. Their program director's name is Fatty McFattypants.

 

[Roy7]

Thanks for the replys and I really appreciate the help.

Usually I'm a pretty decisive guy... and as a result there are a lot of decisions where had I taken more time to think I would have done something differently (no regrets though).

I'm just trying to make sure I get all the info that's out there before taking that decisive step.

Thanks again!

 

[missmod]

This is my take on away rotations: If you are a borderline candidate and are looking for the competitive program to rotate at because you may not get an interview/match otherwise, then I think it's valid to ask which program is harder to get into than others.

If you are a great candidate who already has a decent shot of matching at this so-called dream program, then proceed with caution. The away month can be stressful because you are living in a random city, you are not familiar with the students/residents/charting/system, and you feel like you are under the microscope (especially if you really want to go there). If you really shine and are a superstar on your rotations, then it will win you points. But if, for some reason, you don't hit it off with one or two attendings or you aren't at your best because you're out of your element, then you might have decreased your chances of matching at that place.

Look at the whole away rotation process as a way to figure out which program is right for you. If your program is academic, do a rotation at a county or community hospital (and vice versa).

That being said, I think Pitt, Penn, UMaryland, Hopkins, and GW are a few of the more competitive ones that come to mind. I'm not sure how this will change as Hopkins has gone from 3 to 4 year and Georgetown is challenging George Washington in the DC area.

 

[overthebars]

Hmmm.... In and Out residency is on the west coast, so that's out... East coast is the 5 Guys residency, I think. Their program director's name is Fatty McFattypants.

I hear so much about In & Out, now I have a question. Do I get a paper hat with my scrubs or do I have to bring my own? Same with 5 guys?
Help me out I'm trying to figure out my ROL.

 

[docB]

I hear so much about In & Out, now I have a question. Do I get a paper hat with my scrubs or do I have to bring my own? Same with 5 guys?
Help me out I'm trying to figure out my ROL.

We issue you a paper hat and your scrubs. Everyone must look exactly the same. Strict uniformity befits the pomp and dignity inherent in the greatest EM residency ever known. Bring your own hat? What the hell kind of outfit do you think we're running here? You are blackballed!

 

[overthebars]

We issue you a paper hat and your scrubs. Everyone must look exactly the same. Strict uniformity befits the pomp and dignity inherent in the greatest EM residency ever known. Bring your own hat? What the hell kind of outfit do you think we're running here? You are blackballed!

No!!!!!!!! Oh God, I didn't mean it!!!!!!!!!!
Please allow me to beg back in to consideration. The following are the key features of your program that set it light years apart from all others:

1. State of the art US/milkshake machines with all 3 flavors. "Would you like a strawberry shake with your gallstones?"
2. Fry-making procedure lab during orientation. I need to cut and deep fry like it is a reflex.
3. "Animal style" incision and drainage.

 

[enfuegoEP]

We issue you a paper hat and your scrubs. Everyone must look exactly the same. Strict uniformity befits the pomp and dignity inherent in the greatest EM residency ever known. Bring your own hat? What the hell kind of outfit do you think we're running here? You are blackballed!

I'll have my residency "Animal Style" please

 

[docB]

No!!!!!!!! Oh God, I didn't mean it!!!!!!!!!!
Please allow me to beg back in to consideration. The following are the key features of your program that set it light years apart from all others:

1. State of the art US/milkshake machines with all 3 flavors. "Would you like a strawberry shake with your gallstones?"
2. Fry-making procedure lab during orientation. I need to cut and deep fry like it is a reflex.
3. "Animal style" incision and drainage.

Fine. You're back in but you will endure 2 blocks of "Theory of Restroom Cleanliness" for your punishment.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

My guess on the most selective would be UPMC, GWU, Christiana, UVA, and Penn. .

Amazingly, those 5 are all within 1/2 a day's drive! What are the odds?

 

[missmod]

Well, the OP was asking about programs in the VA, DC, MD, PA area...

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Well, the OP was asking about programs in the VA, DC, MD, PA area...

Hmmm...I obviously missed that on my first reading.

 

[kungfufishing]

what are the odds?

(couldnt resist)

Remember, even if you end up at a second tier program like Red Robin or Ruby Tuesday, you will still get the basics of burgers, fries, shakes, and restroom exams.

 

[docB]

what are the odds?

(couldnt resist)

Remember, even if you end up at a second tier program like Red Robin or Ruby Tuesday, you will still get the basics of burgers, fries, shakes, and restroom exams.

Second tier?!? Huh, you may as well give it up. Remember the goal is to have the big name behind you. The name that when you mention it causes angles to rise up in song, a ghostly light to eminate from your body and the bacteria that cause odor in your feces to begin giving off essence of roses. If it's not In-N-Out you might as well forget it.

For the record Five Guys will only give you a five member choir and a cheap flashlight.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

Second tier?!? Huh, you may as well give it up. Remember the goal is to have the big name behind you. The name that when you mention it causes angles to rise up in song, a ghostly light to eminate from your body and the bacteria that cause odor in your feces to begin giving off essence of roses. If it's not In-N-Out you might as well forget it.

For the record Five Guys will only give you a five member choir and a cheap flashlight.

5 member choir with Cajun fries and Angels singing is just fine.