Slors and electives

[oceanillusion42]

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Hey everybody. I'm a third year DO student who's finding it next to impossible to even schedule an em elective. I have an elective scheduled for June and another sept-mid October. Everywhere else has been either a rejection or is still pending (won't hear back from vsas for about a month I'm assuming and for a July rotation that would give me only a few weeks to scramble for a place for that slot. Don't even know where I would scramble since I'm already out of luck with planning ahead).

So my questions are:

Is a mid October finish date too late for a SLOR assuming I can't get another elective scheduled this summer?

If I'm planning to only do the DO match, would a SLOR from an MD program be disadvantageous? (Tho if I can't even get DO electives I'm sure I won't get MD ones.)

So stressed and frustrated. Scored in the 90th percentile on level 1 and thought I'd be competitive for some good programs. Now who knows if I'll even be able to apply due to lack of letters...

 

[Makati2008]

Hey everybody. I'm a third year DO student who's finding it next to impossible to even schedule an em elective. I have an elective scheduled for June and another sept-mid October. Everywhere else has been either a rejection or is still pending (won't hear back from vsas for about a month I'm assuming and for a July rotation that would give me only a few weeks to scramble for a place for that slot. Don't even know where I would scramble since I'm already out of luck with planning ahead).

So my questions are:

Is a mid October finish date too late for a SLOR assuming I can't get another elective scheduled this summer?

If I'm planning to only do the DO match, would a SLOR from an MD program be disadvantageous? (Tho if I can't even get DO electives I'm sure I won't get MD ones.)

So stressed and frustrated. Scored in the 90th percentile on level 1 and thought I'd be competitive for some good programs. Now who knows if I'll even be able to apply due to lack of letters...

Don't limit yourself with just the DO match. Do both, you won't regret it. Also are you restricting yourself geography wise? Lastly a MD sloe is fine for DO match IF you have some osteopathic letters as well. At least that was my personal experience.

 

[HooliganSnail]

Hey everybody. I'm a third year DO student who's finding it next to impossible to even schedule an em elective. I have an elective scheduled for June and another sept-mid October. Everywhere else has been either a rejection or is still pending (won't hear back from vsas for about a month I'm assuming and for a July rotation that would give me only a few weeks to scramble for a place for that slot. Don't even know where I would scramble since I'm already out of luck with planning ahead).

So my questions are:

Is a mid October finish date too late for a SLOR assuming I can't get another elective scheduled this summer?

If I'm planning to only do the DO match, would a SLOR from an MD program be disadvantageous? (Tho if I can't even get DO electives I'm sure I won't get MD ones.)

So stressed and frustrated. Scored in the 90th percentile on level 1 and thought I'd be competitive for some good programs. Now who knows if I'll even be able to apply due to lack of letters...

You should only be frustrated with yourself. EM is competitive. I'm betting you knew this. EM is one of those specialties where rotating through the department is a must if you are to match. I am sure you knew this as well. Yet, you waited till last minute to schedule your electives, and now they are all full. I think it's safe to say you now know this as well.

That being said, here is what you should do:

1) If you did a core EM rotation during your third year, go back there and ask someone for a letter of rec. If they don't know you too well, ask to rotate a few shifts with them. Be assertive.

2) If you did not do a core EM during third year, you should still use the above strategy to get to know an EM doctor and get a letter of rec. Most schools have some sort of supplemental rotation process by which you can schedule a few days with a certain doctor. If you don't know how to do that call your school. If you don't think something like that exists at your school........you are wrong. It does. Find it.

3) SLOR, or SLOE's, are only used for MD's. I had no SLOE, but two standard LORs from EM docs, and I matched just fine in the DO match.

Good Luck.

 

[oceanillusion42]

Thanks for the responses. Yea I have been limiting myself geographically so I will have to expand my search I now realize. Also, several rotation spots I applied to even before December. One I got but was my last choice of time slot unfortunately. Others I applied to as soon after vsas allowed me to. Hopefully my pending applications are accepted. Good advice on contacting my school about a supplemental type rotation. Thanks guys.

 

[scummie]

Seriously? A lot of places started accepting apps on VSAS on April 1st. Others have May 1st start dates. Sure, there were some with their "pre-applications", but I think saying all is lost is a bit much.

 

[mrpuff26]

I used only SLOEs when I interviewed at 10 AOA programs (I applied to both AOA and ACGME) and no one asked me about having LORs from DOs. I think you would be fine to use only SLOEs for AOA programs. I would agree with others that it would be best to get audition rotations in though.

 

[ewokka]

Do SLOE/SLORs only have really value if they come from a hospital that has an ER residency program? Or will a SLOR from any ER rotation do? I will probably apply to both AOA and ACGME programs.

 

[racerwad]

Do SLOE/SLORs only have really value if they come from a hospital that has an ER residency program? Or will a SLOR from any ER rotation do? I will probably apply to both AOA and ACGME programs.

From the CORD EM website: "Only Emergency Medicine Faculty may complete this form"

Link for the SLOE: http://www.cordem.org/files/DOCUMENTLIBRARY/SLOR/SLOE Standard Letter of Evaluation 2013 Updated.pdf

 

[pianoman511]

If you want a SLOE, then it has to be a place with a residency (academic) because of the questions required. Otherwise get a regular letter.

 

[pianoman511]

Regular letters are fine for AOA.

 

[ewokka]

Thanks.... Is the standard # of SLORS required 2 or will 1 suffice?

 

[GTP]

Some places want two. Some want one. Check their websites for instructions