Official 2008 EM Match ROL Thread

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It's even more amazing how little geography matters if one has to scramble a spot. 😀

"You have a spot for me in BFE? I'd love to come to your little hell hole neck of the woods. Sure I can squeal like a pig" :laugh:

I wonder how many people who don't match choose to scramble. I think I would just stick it out in medical school for another year, doing research, or else I would take a research/admin job somewhere and re-apply. Not sure I'd want to go to some program or specialty I'm not interested in just so that my envelope isn't empty on match day. I know people who have scrambled into surgery prelim spots, and then found that they didn't really have time to strengthen the application or re-apply, so they ended up taking a year off after prelim to do research, ultimately matching into categorical EM 2 years after they initially applied.
 
I wonder how many people who don't match choose to scramble. I think I would just stick it out in medical school for another year, doing research, or else I would take a research/admin job somewhere and re-apply. Not sure I'd want to go to some program or specialty I'm not interested in just so that my envelope isn't empty on match day. I know people who have scrambled into surgery prelim spots, and then found that they didn't really have time to strengthen the application or re-apply, so they ended up taking a year off after prelim to do research, ultimately matching into categorical EM 2 years after they initially applied.

You can do a preliminary year and then reapply to the residency of your choice.

If you do no residency at all, you would get no salary AND would enter loan repayment.

That's stupid.
 
It's even more amazing how little geography matters if one has to scramble a spot. 😀

"You have a spot for me in BFE? I'd love to come to your little hell hole neck of the woods. Sure I can squeal like a pig" :laugh:

Dude....avoid the "S" world until after March 17th. That's like yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theater around these parts :scared:
 
You can do a preliminary year and then reapply to the residency of your choice.

If you do no residency at all, you would get no salary AND would enter loan repayment.

That's stupid.

If you defer graduation for a year, you don't enter loan repayment, and you can get paid $30K to work 40 hours/week as admin/research vs. $40K to work 80 hours/week as a surgical intern.
 
If you defer graduation for a year, you don't enter loan repayment, and you can get paid $30K to work 40 hours/week as admin/research vs. $40K to work 80 hours/week as a surgical intern.

I see your point. But having just graduated medical school aren't you anxious to have the responsibility of taking care of patients and learning, as opposed to doing paperwork for a year? Granted doing a surgical prelim isn't ideal, but at least you finally get to start working as a doctor. Also, it wouldn't be a complete waste of your time. Don't interns put in CV lines as well as a number of other procedures? To me it seem like a guy who doesn't get drafted #1, so instead of playing for a year sharpening his skills he decides to sit out the whole season. 40K working 80 hours/week taking care of patients seems like a hell of a lot more fun than 30K shuffling papers all day (if I had to choose between the two)
 
Not saying being a surgical intern isn't cool and rewarding -- I seriously considered doing a full surgical residency at one point. What I am saying is that if you're dead-set on being an EP, then spending a year in an internship where you won't have a chance to strengthen your application or even go to many interviews seems like a waste. I think it makes more sense to spend a year doing clinical research, ideally in EM, to strengthen that application and ensure that you have a good shot at starting EM residency just one year after you originally intended, rather than the two it can otherwise turn into.

Hopefully, this is a moot point for all of us.

Anyone else want to post their match list, before this thread gets completely hijacked?

I see your point. But having just graduated medical school aren't you anxious to have the responsibility of taking care of patients and learning, as opposed to doing paperwork for a year? Granted doing a surgical prelim isn't ideal, but at least you finally get to start working as a doctor. Also, it wouldn't be a complete waste of your time. Don't interns put in CV lines as well as a number of other procedures? To me it seem like a guy who doesn't get drafted #1, so instead of playing for a year sharpening his skills he decides to sit out the whole season. 40K working 80 hours/week taking care of patients seems like a hell of a lot more fun than 30K shuffling papers all day (if I had to choose between the two)
 
These last couple of posts are depressing....let's not shift the focus of this thread. Ok, so scrambling is an ugly reality for some....but for now let me imagine that I'm matching at ORMC with my fellow SDN'ers universe explorer and ephedra lol 😀. Where are the rest of the ROL's?
 
Not saying being a surgical intern isn't cool and rewarding -- I seriously considered doing a full surgical residency at one point. What I am saying is that if you're dead-set on being an EP, then spending a year in an internship where you won't have a chance to strengthen your application or even go to many interviews seems like a waste. I think it makes more sense to spend a year doing clinical research, ideally in EM, to strengthen that application and ensure that you have a good shot at starting EM residency just one year after you originally intended, rather than the two it can otherwise turn into.

Actually, it does strengthen your app. Whatever reason you have for not matching, be it bad grades, poor evals, bad scores, can easily be overcome by a letter from someone saying that you are a hard working resident who can do things on their own, etc.
I have heard from many a person that even the best med student letter is overshadowed by a letter saying that you are an excellent resident, rather than one that says you will be.
Also, depending on where you go, many will let you have the time. Learning the skills is better than doing the research, unless you want to go to a research oriented residency. Just my 2c.
I don't regret my internship in the slightest. It certain has made me realize what being an EM physician is all about.
 
Actually, it does strengthen your app. Whatever reason you have for not matching, be it bad grades, poor evals, bad scores, can easily be overcome by a letter from someone saying that you are a hard working resident who can do things on their own, etc.
I have heard from many a person that even the best med student letter is overshadowed by a letter saying that you are an excellent resident, rather than one that says you will be.
Also, depending on where you go, many will let you have the time. Learning the skills is better than doing the research, unless you want to go to a research oriented residency. Just my 2c.
I don't regret my internship in the slightest. It certain has made me realize what being an EM physician is all about.

I did not receive any apparent benefits on the interview trail for having the additional clinical experience brought upon by doing an internship. Mostly, it was just tiring and painful to schedule interviews. But, really, the main drawback is - I wouldn't wish two intern years on anyone. Intern year is pain. Really looking forwards to my second....
 
I did not receive any apparent benefits on the interview trail for having the additional clinical experience brought upon by doing an internship. Mostly, it was just tiring and painful to schedule interviews. But, really, the main drawback is - I wouldn't wish two intern years on anyone. Intern year is pain. Really looking forwards to my second....

While I would not have wished to do 2 intern years, I have really enjoyed the contrast between this year (my EM-1 year) and last year (my "intern" year), despite the fact that I am still considered an intern. Last year was very scary and I constantly worried that I was doing something wrong. This year, I feel much more comfortable in my skin, even though I am still learning a lot of new things about how our department works and on off-service rotations.

I just think it is more chill..

I am also much more cynical this year about the whole medical process... but that's probably just me 🙂

jd
 
If you defer graduation for a year, you don't enter loan repayment, and you can get paid $30K to work 40 hours/week as admin/research vs. $40K to work 80 hours/week as a surgical intern.

Why would you do that when you can complete a preliminary year and enter a residency in an advanced standing?

Either way, there WILL be open EM spots in the scramble this year, so it doesn't matter....
 
I agree with Gatordoc that the last few posts have gotten too depressing. I suggest we talk about our post-Match party plans instead!

I plan on going out to a nice dinner with my mom and hubby, then attending the class party for liver rounds.👍
 
Why would you do that when you can complete a preliminary year and enter a residency in an advanced standing?

Either way, there WILL be open EM spots in the scramble this year, so it doesn't matter....


You cannot enter the PGY-2 year in an EM 1-3 or an EM 1-4 program following anything but an EM-1 year.

And there are only a dying few EM 2-4 programs left, and entering the match for those gives you a gap year.
 
All this talk about scrambling....Here's something to motivate and cheer you up 😀

Failure.jpg
 
uhhhh, I dunno EnFuego, that doesn't quite cheer me up 😀
 
It's a weak attempt at levity...Correct me if I'm wrong but 10 interviews=97% chance of matching right? I doubt anyone smart enough to spend their time on SDN will be in the dreaded 3% 😀
 
You cannot enter the PGY-2 year in an EM 1-3 or an EM 1-4 program following anything but an EM-1 year.

And there are only a dying few EM 2-4 programs left, and entering the match for those gives you a gap year.

True but if you do a prelim year you can knock off some of your required intern rotations. If you do prelim surg, you can take care of your SICU time, and maybe your gas rotation, and if you do prelim med you can get your MICU out of the way and if the program requires a med floor rotation you can get credit for that too. So you can be an advanced statnding intern after a prelim year.
 
You cannot enter the PGY-2 year in an EM 1-3 or an EM 1-4 program following anything but an EM-1 year.

And there are only a dying few EM 2-4 programs left, and entering the match for those gives you a gap year.

Dying?

The University of Oklahoma-College of Medicine in Tulsa has just STARTED an EM 2-4 program that starts this year.

There are also a number of 2-4 programs in California, as I recall.
 
Dying?

The University of Oklahoma-College of Medicine in Tulsa has just STARTED an EM 2-4 program that starts this year.

There are also a number of 2-4 programs in California, as I recall.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq1bSMrKdhk[/YOUTUBE]
 
alright i'm new, but i thought i'd throw something down here.

1. utah
2. mayo
3. michigan- gr
4. michigan- kalamazoo
5. ohsu
6. uc davis
7. vanderbilt
8. loma linda
 
A lot of new people coming out of the woodwork with this thread.
 
Posting my wife's list with her permission (she's a bit shy):

1. UCSF-SFGH (cool new program in an amazing city with best opportunities to shape her own residency, my sister's family is here, we were married here; expensive, but she thinks it's worth the cost for a few years)
2. OHSU (great city, home for her, good cost of living, and this is where we will likely end up after residency; program seemed weaker)
3. UC Davis (great program, did away rotation here; good cost of living, and Sac is underrated; weak international health opportunities)
4. Maine (favorite program, nice small city; cold and far from family)
5. BW-MGH (best international health opportunities by far; second look made her like it less)
6. Carolinas
7. Georgetown
8. U Wisconsin-Madison
9. Stanford
10. Maryland
11. Utah
12. Cincinnati
13. Christiana
14. EVMS
15. Vanderbilt
16. Allegheny

She put a lot of thought into her top five, not so much into the rest since she had a great away rotation at UC Davis and hopefully won't go any lower. Geography and family are pulling us West, but I think Maine was hands down her favorite program. Geography also determined her bottom five or so, which were all good programs but had no specific personal draw.

Fingers crossed!
 
1.UF-jax-sick pts, great attendings, cafeteria is open late.
2. UT-Dallas- Parkland, crazy, awesome burgers in the adjacent neighborhood.
3. USF- sick pts, Tampa is awesome, kind of a childhood dream to go to this program.
4. Emory- Sick pts, crazy, serious EM passion at this program, clermont lounge.
5. UF-g'ville- great potential, 100% of airways in trauma, their sim lab is second to none, a lot of fun.
6-13 all really great programs. I would be really excited to go to any of them. At this point I just want 3/20 to roll around. Hopefully Skynet over at NRMP doesn't jack something up.
 
I know it's late, but I'll throw my RL out there for those matching in 2009:

I will be off the charts happy if I get Number one.
I will be super happy if I get 2.
3-7 will still put a grin on my face.
8-12 I will think "huh, that low on my list, but that's cool b/c this is a great program".
13 and 14 are do-able and I will be happy, just not excited on match day.

Without further delay:

1) Cincinnati- I don't need to add anything to what has been said. This program is amazing

2) Maryland EM/IM- This kept shuffling b/t 1 and 2. Lots has been said about their EM, so I won't add to it. They offer the 6 yr EM/IM/CC tract, which I am all about. CC training is largely in Shock Trauma. IM is very solid. Great people. Cincy is just too good

3) U Pitt- There is little lacking from this program. Their camaraderie is amazing for a program with 16 per class. I really like their "triple threat" months. PD is super approachable. APD is great as well. Residents are fun. I am a big multi-site fan (3 different EDs). You arent going to see sicker or more complex patients anywhere else. I have no complaints here, but it would be great if you could fly like Cincy.

4) U Chicago- This would be Cincy if it were 4 years and they were a Dept and not a division (which did leave a few ?s in mind, as far as their ability to gain and control resources). Amazing curriculum. Again, I like their multi sites (although, I know some prefer to avoid the commute)

5) Northwestern- I loved this place when I went there, but I do prefer a more indigent pop and more trauma. Great leadership, great residents, great academic opps.

6) U Penn- Loved the PD. Wish the Peds was integrated better. Some concerns about working relationship w/ other depts, but I dont' think it is a big deal. I just like Chicago as a city more than Philly. This was close with NW and U of C

7) UIC EM/IM- This is a great EM/IM program. The combined residents are awesome. I just wish they offered the 6 yr EM/IM/CC

8) Carolinas- Great program, but single site, no strong med school influence, and I have doubts about my fit w/ the residents

9) Denver- Great program, but 4 years with only 6 weeks of electives (what?????) and more than one of residents seemed really worn down (one even said they were "tired", if you know what I mean). Residents with family only seem to "make it work". Of all the residents I met, only one of them them was friendly and up-beat. Not sure of my fit here.

10) Henry Ford EM/IM- I wanted to make this higher. It is a great program and the EM/IM/CC option is sweet. I am just not sure my marriage would last 6 years in Detroit (aka my wife is not a Detroit fan). Also, the IM program had some concerns for me. If I was going to be at a place for 6 years, I didn't want any weak spots. CC- two words...Manny Rivers

11) UNC- I really really liked this program when I interviewed there. It fell for a few reasons: I realized that I prefer the winters in the North to the Summers in NC, I am not sure about my academic opportunities coming out of here (seems like there might be a fall off in their academic faculty after Tintinalli), new Chair there that I don't know anything about (when I asked, they said they didnt know either), didn't get a good sense of research opps here (I am interested in academics), and there are limited fellowship opps (EMS and Peds is on the way). I truly believe that their program leadership maybe among the best in the country and I really liked their residents... This ranking was pragmatic and not gut-feeling (gut had it as high as 2)

12) Brown- I was mostly concerned about their patient complexity (seems like complex patients go to Boston). I had a wishy-washy feeling about the PD there. Residents seem to love the place. The patient complexity thing became important to me at any EM/IM or 4 yr EM program

13) Buffalo- This is a very underrated program. Lots of sites, good peds, lots of trauma experience, some good academic opps here, EM Dept is very well respected in the system. Fell b/c I was looking for a place with deeper academics or an EM/IM with complex patients, tho.

14) Rochester- Academic Program. The residents seemed really flat when I was there, but for 3 years, I could keep myself busy with the U of R and Strong Memorial resources. Plus, a residents salary in Rochester is a like making $120Gs in Balt, Chicago, or Philly....alright maybe more like $80Gs or $90Gs, but you know what I mean....


Interviewed at, but didn't rank (some of these are def good programs, tho):

-Morristown: very happy residents, great PD, but I am prefer either more urban or academia

-Alleghany EM/IM: one ED site with less than exciting volume. IM: private patients (not all patients on your service are teaching patients). UPMC seems to be taking over Pittsburgh. I am not sure what will be left at AGH by the time I would be a PGY 4 or 5

-Case Western: BAD vibe from PD, comments on SDN (which I read after my interview) were consistent with my impression

-Wright State: Mostly a less than exciting location

-Christiana EM/FM: This is a very interesting program that I am very glad I interviewed at, but I decided it wasn't for me.

-LIJ EM/IM- interview day was disorganized and flat out discourteous. EM program is so-so (you have to go the Bronx for 18 weeks of trauma....potential for a miserable commute there). IM PD pulls the EM/IM candidates aside to give you a "we have very high expectations for our EM/IM residents" speech. Then during the interview all he does is talk about the program to you (all info you have already gotten)....How does this guy know if you are going to be able to live up to his standards if you never say more than a 3-word sentence to him?? Long Island is not an exciting location for my wife and I. LIJ is more of a community hospital (again I was looking academic)

For the following EM/IMs, I decided to not rank them b/c I have concerns about the complexity of patients that I would see, there is no 6 yr EM/IM/CC tract, the level of academia is so-so, and the locations are not exciting.
Christiana EM/IM
East Carolina EM/IM
Hennepin EM/IM



PM me if you have any curiosities.
 
The bell has rung! If I match in my top 4 I will buy you all a beer after I come down off my cloud.

18. Utah[/B] – Best location for skiing. Lots of outdoorsy residents. (-) The city and the patient population is not diverse enough for me. Concerns about the new IMC pulling more patients from UH and the IMC staff being totally separate from UH


Wanderer,
Since IMC has opened UH volume has gone up.
IMC is on track to see 80,000 this next year
The IMC attendings have been super excited about teaching, and feel like it has revived there careers. In addition many of them were at LDS hospital and already were involved in teaching and enjoy it.
Also we see a large portion of Hispanic and pacific islander patients

If anybody has questions feel free to ask.
Lukin
 
And on that note.... (sorry for the delay)

1. Utah! -- Did an away rotation here, and just about cried when I had to go back home. Amazing people, amazing place, and just the sort of environment (location and pathology-wise) in which I'd ultimately like to work some day.
2. Maine -- The happiest place on earth! Felt like a great fit.
3. UNM -- Don't know much about life here, but seems like a great location and I absolutely loved the program and people.
4. OHSU -- Another good fit for me.
5. Highland
6. UCSF
7. Stanford
8. UC Davis
9. Albany -- This was a tough one. I absolutely loved the program and especially the program director. He really put his heart and soul into the program, and it showed. I hope to work with him some day! I would recommend this program to anyone, but ultimately it came down to location (having grown up not far from Albany, and having wanderlust in my waning youth).
10. Denver
11. UConn
12. Baystate
13. UMass- Great(!!) program, but wasn't keen on the "must-fly" rule in the end.

All the places I visited were fantastic, and it was really hard to put them in any semblance of order.:luck:
 
Dear lord, it frightens me how many places these people are interviewing at/ranking. The arms race is getting worse every year. And these aren't people who are academically bad, if they're going to Carolinas/Maine/Denver/California.
 
Dear lord, it frightens me how many places these people are interviewing at/ranking. The arms race is getting worse every year. And these aren't people who are academically bad, if they're going to Carolinas/Maine/Denver/California.

I'm just glad that noone else has posted the same top choices as me. I know that probably means they aren't on SDN, but it makes me feel better!
 
I'm just glad that noone else has posted the same top choices as me. I know that probably means they aren't on SDN, but it makes me feel better!

I came pretty close. You just can't tell because I'm intentionally aloof.
 
I think it is important we do this before the match to avoid selection bias. 😀


Several years ago BKN surveyed EM posters to find out your chances of matching to your 1st choice based on USMLE score. With his permission, I am updating that survey.

If you want to participate, PM me with:

  • USMLE score
  • # of places you applied to (estimates are fine)
  • # of interview offers (estimates are fine)
  • Your estimated class rank (upper 10%, upper third, middle third, and lower third)
  • If you are a DO or MD (trying to see if/how it changes anything)
In a few weeks, you can send me where you landed on your ROL. Your information will be confidential. The more volunteers, the better the survey will be. Good luck to everyone.
 
And on that note.... (sorry for the delay)

1. Utah! -- Did an away rotation here, and just about cried when I had to go back home. Amazing people, amazing place, and just the sort of environment (location and pathology-wise) in which I'd ultimately like to work some day.
2. Maine -- The happiest place on earth! Felt like a great fit.
3. UNM -- Don't know much about life here, but seems like a great location and I absolutely loved the program and people.
4. OHSU -- Another good fit for me.
5. Highland
6. UCSF
7. Stanford
8. UC Davis
9. Albany -- This was a tough one. I absolutely loved the program and especially the program director. He really put his heart and soul into the program, and it showed. I hope to work with him some day! I would recommend this program to anyone, but ultimately it came down to location (having grown up not far from Albany, and having wanderlust in my waning youth).
10. Denver
11. UConn
12. Baystate
13. UMass- Great(!!) program, but wasn't keen on the "must-fly" rule in the end.

All the places I visited were fantastic, and it was really hard to put them in any semblance of order.:luck:

glad you posted! unfortunately i was outed by my husband, so i couldn't keep it a secret as long as you did 😉

to recap:
1. UCSF: very excited about helping to create a top program on the west coast. love the city, am intimidated by the cost of living and am aware of the controversy surrounding the PD, but felt like i could have a fantastic experience in an incredible location (and actually see my nephew grow up a little bit). i will likely get my butt kicked but am convinced it is worth it--LOVED the attendings and am committed to their goal of making UCSF/SFGH #1! plus, i figured my picture should go on that website where question marks reign.
2. OHSU: this is home (despite the fact i haven't lived there since '99). it was difficult to not rank it #1, especially with my entire family rooting for it and my husband REALLY wanting to live here. i enjoyed my interview and i think the volume "issue" is not really an issue but it is still not a perfect program. i certainly would love to match here...but also want them to work a little harder to be better, rather than resting on the "only program in the PNW" status.
3. UC Davis: had a fantastic month rotating here. loved the people, thought the Sac was a great town with interesting politics, fun stuff to do, incredible proximity to other cool things and decent cost of living for Cali. didn't love the lack of focus on international EM (what i want to do with my life). would be thrilled to train here anyway and create a global health fellowship.
4. Maine: probably my favorite based on program alone, but the location wasn't really what we wanted (too cold, too far from family). i think they must put crack in the water because people are incredibly happy. Jane Kane from Maine gets my vote for best program coordinator. 😍
5. MGH/BWH: hands down the best international opportunities in the nation. had a great interview day but my second look brought it down the list a bit. was turned off by some candid comments made by residents, plus it suffers from the cold/expensive/far from family problem.
6 and beyond (not in order): Carolinas, Wisconsin, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, EVMS, Stanford, Utah, Christiana, UMD and Allegheny. these were all great programs with strong attributes that mostly were downgraded due to less than ideal location. i can definitely think of at least one thing (and in some cases many things) that i loved about each. future applicants feel free to PM with specific questions.

Now all that is left is the envelope!!! :scared: :hardy:
 
OK, I know it's really late (too superstitious to post earlier 😳), but for future years, and for those with persistent matchitis like me, thought I would post my ROL...

1. Boston Medical Center - 😍 LOVE this program, love the patient population, rotated here and had a great time, best trauma in Boston (IMHO), great faculty, actually don't mind the 2-4 format (my version of an EM/IM program)
2. BIDMC - went back for a 2nd look, residents seemed super happy, feel like I would be really happy here too
3. BWH/MGH - best international opportunities that I saw on the trail
4. UMass - amazing program, awesome PD, love the flight program, almost ranked #1 except couldn't stand the daily commute to/from Boston
5. Brown
6. Yale - probably my biggest surprise on the trail - this program blew me away...prob would have been my #1, but ultimately geography prevailed
7. Baystate - also really liked this program, great volume, residents seemed really happy, but was a little concerned about the academic opportunities
8. Maine - my home program, nicest people anywhere, just wanted a change, and distance from Boston pushed it further down the list
9. UConn
10. Pitt
11. Regions
12. Albany

Ultimately it ended up coming down to mostly geography - fiance is in Boston for the next 3-4 years and absolutely cannot leave, so in hopes of preserving marital happiness during residency, I did end up sacrificing my ideal program list some for location. Honestly though, I ranked all the programs I interviewed at because I thought they were all great, and there wasn't one of them that I didn't think would train me well. The differences among many of the programs, especially those in the 2nd half of my list was really very small. If my ranklist had not been so influenced by proximity to Boston, my top 3 would have likely been some permutation of BMC, UMass, and Yale.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about any of these places. Best of luck to everyone in the match this year!:luck: I can't wait for thursday!
 
1. Random East Coast program
2. Random Gulf Coast program
3. Run of mill Southeast program
4. Slightly different run of mill Southeast program
5. Established Western program
6. Upper limits of Southeast program
7. Very established Midwestern program <====== I have no idea how that got in there
8. Less established Western program, but not new

So, for the record, that would be
1. Greenville, NC (ECU)
2. Corpus Christi, TX (TxA&M)
3. Columbia, SC (USC)
4. Augusta, GA (MCG)
5. El Paso, TX (TT)
6. Louisville, KY (UofL)
7. Chicago, IL (UofC)
8. Temple, TX (S&W)
 
So, for the record, that would be
1. Greenville, NC (ECU)
2. Corpus Christi, TX (TxA&M)
3. Columbia, SC (USC)
4. Augusta, GA (MCG)
5. El Paso, TX (TT)
6. Louisville, KY (UofL)
7. Chicago, IL (UofC)
8. Temple, TX (S&W)

You weren't kidding about being close to me. Now that makes me wonder that if you swapped your 1 & 2 if we would have been colleagues.
 
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