Sports Medicine 2025-2026

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Beat me to starting it!

I'm thinking at least 30, but likely more. Non-trad applicant this year, I've been out in the real world for about a decade as an attending. But I've been planning on this with coverage and shadowing for about 2 years now. It's been a long road, but Im ready for it!

How many are you planning on applying to?
 
Question about the application - I took and passed all of my COMLEX steps on the first try, I'll obviously need to include those. And Im board certified in my specialty. I also took step 1 and 2 of the USMLE. Should I include my USMLE score from a decade ago, or just the COMLEX? Thoughts?
 
Powdermonkey said:
Beat me to starting it!

I'm thinking at least 30, but likely more. Non-trad applicant this year, I've been out in the real world for about a decade as an attending. But I've been planning on this with coverage and shadowing for about 2 years now. It's been a long road, but Im ready for it!

How many are you planning on applying to?
Click to expand...
I am thinking about 20, maybe I should increase it to 30. How are you selecting which 30 to apply? Geography, or are you looking for a specific thing in the fellowships?
I am also a non-trad. Been in the real world for about 4 years now. Has been difficult to find a practicing SM physician to shadow as an attending. I shadowed in the orthopedic group, which staffs my hospital.
It's gonna be difficult!
 
Ronaldo7 said:
I am thinking about 20, maybe I should increase it to 30. How are you selecting which 30 to apply? Geography, or are you looking for a specific thing in the fellowships?
I am also a non-trad. Been in the real world for about 4 years now. Has been difficult to find a practicing SM physician to shadow as an attending. I shadowed in the orthopedic group, which staffs my hospital.
It's gonna be difficult!
Click to expand...
I have a spreadsheet of all of the programs that will accept my specialty (hint, I'm not FM). I tried to figure out who would be friendly to me vs who wouldn't be, and have a pseudo ranking. Im also a decade or so out of training, so I'm looking to apply to a few extra places hoping that I'll have more luck. The locations I was looking for geographically helped narrow it down a little. I still probably need to cut 15-20 from this list so I'm not just applying everywhere, lol.

Speaking of that, what are your thoughts about the three geographic region preferences? I'm torn because we are wanting to end up closer to my wife's family, so ending up there would be ideal, but I have programs I am definitely interested in in most of the different zones. I've been reading all of the pluses and minuses of picking vs saying you don't have a preference, and I'm torn. Right now I have the no preferences checked, but I may change it to the three regions where the majority of the places I'm applying to are.

Oh man, I could go on about all of this for days, but I'll stop there for now. I'm sure my wife will be happy that there is someone else to talk to about this now. I've been trying to organize this, get experience, and get set up to apply for probably 2 years now. 🤣
 
Oh, and in regards to shadowing, I chatted with some of my ortho bros where I work and they got me in contact with sports med folks. I was able to get in with PPEs, clinic shadowing, and it helped me get in with the local schools for sideline shadowing, etc. I was able to go to a few conferences (local, national, and virtual) and it has helped me with networking as well. The toughest part when you're out on your own is figuring out the malpractice questions and is it worth it. I've only done events where I'm covered under someone else for that reason.
 
I have selected no preference, for now. My list has 20 programs, as not all programs accept my specialty (also not FM).

Have you noticed that all the programs listed in AMSSM and WIKISM are not in the NRMP yet? Do you think that'll change in the future?
 
Ronaldo7 said:
I have selected no preference, for now. My list has 20 programs, as not all programs accept my specialty (also not FM).

Have you noticed that all the programs listed in AMSSM and WIKISM are not in the NRMP yet? Do you think that'll change in the future?
Click to expand...
From looking at the prior years threads as well as some of the other specialty WAMC threads, I think some programs take their time to put themselves on ERAS and they have to do it each year. But yes, there are maybe 10 or so places I was looking at that don't seem to be available for choosing just yet. They still have a month/a few months, and I'm sure they're busy getting ready for the new fellows to start.
 
Powdermonkey said:
I have a spreadsheet of all of the programs that will accept my specialty (hint, I'm not FM). I tried to figure out who would be friendly to me vs who wouldn't be, and have a pseudo ranking. Im also a decade or so out of training, so I'm looking to apply to a few extra places hoping that I'll have more luck. The locations I was looking for geographically helped narrow it down a little. I still probably need to cut 15-20 from this list so I'm not just applying everywhere, lol.

Speaking of that, what are your thoughts about the three geographic region preferences? I'm torn because we are wanting to end up closer to my wife's family, so ending up there would be ideal, but I have programs I am definitely interested in in most of the different zones. I've been reading all of the pluses and minuses of picking vs saying you don't have a preference, and I'm torn. Right now I have the no preferences checked, but I may change it to the three regions where the majority of the places I'm applying to are.

Oh man, I could go on about all of this for days, but I'll stop there for now. I'm sure my wife will be happy that there is someone else to talk to about this now. I've been trying to organize this, get experience, and get set up to apply for probably 2 years now. 🤣
Click to expand...
Is your spreadsheet shareable?
 
Hello guys, where did you all include your sideline coverage experience on ERAS? I know people put a lot of emphasis on it.

I put it under experience but I wasn't sure how you guys specified locations, time, etc.

Thank you!
 
I went with the experiences section. I used one input and titled it sideline medical coverage, then talked about where and what I had done in the explanation box. I couldn't really find anywhere else to put it that made sense.
 
If you are looking for some extra data and info on the programs you are looking at, check out the Frieda website.

Frieda specialties

-Once on the website, scroll down to the bottom of the list to find the 4 sports med groups.
-You'll have to look through each one depending on what your specialty is.
-Once on the specialty page, there will be a drop down menu and the last option is 'View Programs'. Click that option. This will get you all of the programs for FM/PM&R/peds/EM.
-On the specific program page, you can toggle through the different pages with the drop down menu at the top to find different info about the programs, too.


Don't forget your deadlines. It's taking 5 BUSINESS days to upload anything with the EFDO, which seems silly, but such is life. I don't understand why electronic documents need 5 full days to verify, but oh well. What that means though, is that if your school documents and LORs arent uploaded by July 8th or 9th, you probably ly won't have them ready for when programs can download the apps on July 16th.

There is also a document for the ERAS code of ethics that you have to send separately to each program. You can find it here:

Webpage for code of ethics

make sure youve got all of your ducks in a row for application season. Good luck!
 
Powdermonkey said:
If you are looking for some extra data and info on the programs you are looking at, check out the Frieda website.

Frieda specialties

-Once on the website, scroll down to the bottom of the list to find the 4 sports med groups.
-You'll have to look through each one depending on what your specialty is.
-Once on the specialty page, there will be a drop down menu and the last option is 'View Programs'. Click that option. This will get you all of the programs for FM/PM&R/peds/EM.
-On the specific program page, you can toggle through the different pages with the drop down menu at the top to find different info about the programs, too.


Don't forget your deadlines. It's taking 5 BUSINESS days to upload anything with the EFDO, which seems silly, but such is life. I don't understand why electronic documents need 5 full days to verify, but oh well. What that means though, is that if your school documents and LORs arent uploaded by July 8th or 9th, you probably ly won't have them ready for when programs can download the apps on July 16th.

There is also a document for the ERAS code of ethics that you have to send separately to each program. You can find it here:

Webpage for code of ethics

make sure youve got all of your ducks in a row for application season. Good luck!
Click to expand...
This is great, thank you!

Are you submitting your application right on 7/15?
 
Sportsdoc oneday? said:
This is great, thank you!

Are you submitting your application right on 7/15?
Click to expand...
No worries. I'm finding a lot of this with all of the searching I've been doing the last few months, so may as well pass it on!

I really hope that I've got all of my LORs in before then, but I will be submitting with or without them and hoping that I can get somewhere. I've got 3 people that have committed, one of them has already sent theirs in. The other two are working on it. The 4th is still a maybe, but a few places I've seen have asked for 4 instead of just 3. So I'll keep my fingers crossed.

My med school uses MIDUS for documents, so Ive got those in process and I am just waiting on ERAS to ok them. Last thing I need are my LORs.
 
Last edited:
Powdermonkey said:
No worries. I'm finding a lot of this with all of the searching I've been doing the last few months, so may as well pass it on!

I really hope that Ive got all of my LORs in before then, but I will be submitting with or without them and hoping that I can get somewhere. I've got 3 people that have committed, one of them has already sent theirs in. The other two are working on it. The 4th is still a maybe, but a few places I've seen have asked for 4 instead of just 3. So I'll keep my fingers crossed.

My med school uses MIDUS for documents, so Ive got thos in process and I am just waiting on ERAS to ok them. Last thing I need are my LORs.
Click to expand...
I see, it sounds like you are going to submit as soon as they open up.

Exciting and terrifying time! Haha
 
What kinda experiences are you listing for relevant experiences? Sports coverage only? Or what other activities have you guys listed?
 
Ronaldo7 said:
What kinda experiences are you listing for relevant experiences? Sports coverage only? Or what other activities have you guys listed?
Click to expand...
I listed sideline coverage as one, I've had some mass casualty experience, pre-participation exams, leadership/backcountry trip and injuries, teaching opportunities, etc.

My wife and I talked about this section for a while because we weren't sure what to write. I was able to search around online and find some guides. They were more geared to residency, but I was able to make it work.

Open Evidence AI was able to help me out with some papers and discussion on what to include and what is important. And I've been watching the resident/fellow discussion panels on the AMSSM youtube page over the past few years to get info from them and PDs on what they want and are looking for. There are at least 3 or 4 of them that I've watched on there if you dig through the YouTube page.
 
I am confused about what to include in those 10 experiences. I have a few experiences with sideline coverage, but I have also worked as an attending for a few years, which is also important. I am also involved in a non-profit that also works for athletes, which is also important. I am just confused about what to include and what not to.
 
Ronaldo7 said:
I am confused about what to include in those 10 experiences. I have a few experiences with sideline coverage, but I have also worked as an attending for a few years, which is also important. I am also involved in a non-profit that also works for athletes, which is also important. I am just confused about what to include and what not to.
Click to expand...
I think if you are working with or around athletes, or if it has helped shaped you as the provider you are, that would be good to include. That's how I looked at it at least.

If you have the time, check these videos out. There are tidbits scattered in here and there in the ones I've listened to. This may help with what they are looking for in the applications. There is another one from '22 or '23 that I can find right now that was pretty good.

Matching into a SM fellowship panel June 2021

Reflections on in match from recall matched fellows 2023

Preparing for the SM match FM panel

Preparing for the SM match PM&R panel

Preparing for the sports med match EM/IM panel

Preparing for the sportsmed match SM Resident Council


And here is my Google search if you want to dig through there anymore:

Google search AMSSM matching youtube
 
From what I understand as long as you submit before the 16th, it will look like you submitted on the 16th. After that it will be the specific day you actually submit your application. I'm still waiting on one letter writer and for two submitted letters to be accepted into the system. As long as your letter is submitted by the 8th or 9th you should still be good. But, since it's taking the EFDO a full 5 business days for some unknown reason to accept the letters having them in before would be ideal.
 
How do you guys know which program requires 4 letters as opposed to 3? I understand Frieda has some info but if their website doesn't specify, I don't know what to rely on
 
Sportsdoc oneday? said:
How do you guys know which program requires 4 letters as opposed to 3? I understand Frieda has some info but if their website doesn't specify, I don't know what to rely on
Click to expand...
I'm using a mixture of Frieda and looking on the specific websites to research it. There isn't a great way that I've found otherwise.
 
I updated the interview spreadsheet from last year a little. See if you guys can access it. Once we start getting invites and hearing about programs you can put up the info you get. It should be helpful for others that are applying, too. I made it accessible to everyone and anyone can edit. Let me know if it isnt working.

If there are any PDs or fellows on here with info, please feel free to add it in. Thanks!!

2025-2026 Interview Invite Spreadsheet
 
Feeling good. Nervous. Cautiously optimistic. The silent waiting game is one of the toughest. End of August/September can't come soon enough, lol. I really wish they would send them all out in August so we could make our schedule for the next few months. Just giving a few weeks notice is hard when trying to juggle shifts and buy flights for the in person interviews. But. Such is life.
 
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