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[JohnUC33]

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Well, I start MS1 in the fall. I've been working in an E.R. for nearly 6 months. All this time I've been trying to make myself believe that I don't want to go into EM cause of the long hours, but the more I work there, the more I enjoy it. I know my mind might change once I get in school, but lets assume that I do actually try for EM. As a med student, what do I need to do besides good grades and boards to be a better applicant for EM? I really don't want to do any research, yet is that necessary for this field.

Another question, do you ever adjust to working those "strange" EM shifts. I just pull 12-hr midnight shifts as a tech, and it wears on me at times. Plus, I have a medical condition (meniere's) that requires me to get decent sleep, eat right, and stay off caffeine. I dont' really have any problem with the condition working as a tech, but I know it will be more stressful as a doctor. So how do you "cope" with the demands of EM?

 

[waterski232002]

EM isn't that hard to match into.... but it can be hard to match into a highly sought after program. Research isn't really necessary. I would just concentrate on doing well during the first 3 years of med school and doing well on the boards. You'll know if it's for you after 3rd year of medical school.

The hours thing is definitely a factor. We work strange hours, but overall, we work a lot less than most other specialties. You've got to be okay working nights, weekends, and holidays for the rest of your career.... Then again, be okay with NEVER having to take call or carry a pager again!

 

[JohnUC33]

bump

 

[8744]

...EM isn't that hard to match into....

Sez' you.

 

[8744]

EM isn't that hard to match into.... but it can be hard to match into a highly sought after program. Research isn't really necessary. I would just concentrate on doing well during the first 3 years of med school and doing well on the boards. You'll know if it's for you after 3rd year of medical school.

The hours thing is definitely a factor. We work strange hours, but overall, we work a lot less than most other specialties. You've got to be okay working nights, weekends, and holidays for the rest of your career.... Then again, be okay with NEVER having to take call or carry a pager again!

And the residency hours are a lot better. I'm doing a medicine rotation right now with third year residents who are still dong q4 call...and exceeding their 80 hours.

 

[EctopicFetus]

Em isnt "all that hard" compared to ENT, Ortho, Rads, Rand Onc,Ophtho etc. but it is harder than IM/FP/Neuro/Peds/PM&R/Psych/ObGyn etc..

I believe it is on par with GSurg and Gas.

 

[nuke laloosh]

GETTING INTO MED SCHOOL
-gpa + mcat

GETTING INTO RESIDENCY
-class rank + step I

GETTING A COMMUNITY JOB
-opening available + interview + references

just my pgy-3 opinion and perspective

 

[EctopicFetus]

GETTING INTO MED SCHOOL
-gpa + mcat

GETTING INTO RESIDENCY
-class rank + step I

GETTING A COMMUNITY JOB
-opening available + interview + references

just my pgy-3 opinion and perspective

👍

But for residency throw in interview and LORs

 

[nuke laloosh]

👍

But for residency throw in interview and LORs

Throw them in, but understand that how many interviews you get and where you get them directly correlates to the class rank + step I.

And obviously I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but I suspect that LOR's aren't really looked at until you have secured an interview.

And furthermore, I suspect that a few applicants will come across like jerks during their interview, and a few will have crappy LOR's dropping them out of consideration. For everyone else, I bet LOR's come across pretty similar and let's face it, it's hard to stand out during a 10-15 minute interview.

So that at the end of the day, your left with what you started, your class rank and step I.