Time off for interviewing? When?

[Jaydiggity21]

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Hello all! I am a third year medical student trying to put together my 4th year schedule, and I was wondering when people took time off for interviewing for EM residencies? Is there a more common time that EM programs interview? I am primarily looking for NY programs and CA programs. Thanks so much!

 

[quideam]

This has been discussed in a number of threads before... but, anyway, interview season is generally mid-November to early February, with most places interviewing heavily in December and January. How much time you need, of course, depends on how many programs you plan to interview at and how geographically spread out they are... if you plan on interviewing up and down California and in NYC, definitely block out at least one month (either Dec or Jan), but be prepared to do a few more during the other month. Most of us try to have one of those months free, and then schedule a 'light' rotation the other month so that you can squeeze a few more interviews. Just make sure you apply early! Good luck 🙂

 

[Freakingzooming]

This has been discussed in a number of threads before... but, anyway, interview season is generally mid-November to early February, with most places interviewing heavily in December and January. How much time you need, of course, depends on how many programs you plan to interview at and how geographically spread out they are... if you plan on interviewing up and down California and in NYC, definitely block out at least one month (either Dec or Jan), but be prepared to do a few more during the other month. Most of us try to have one of those months free, and then schedule a 'light' rotation the other month so that you can squeeze a few more interviews. Just make sure you apply early! Good luck 🙂

Just wanted to add to quideam's advice.

It depends on your medschool. And also the rotation you plan on doing at the time too. Ask your 4th years and find out what are the lighter rotations in 4th year. Then plan accordingly- Most places will offer invites in the December-January months. Try to do the rotations that are known to be more flexible and lenient on letting you go for interviews those months. Try to take at least one month off for interviews day- preferrably January. If you're going to be on the East Coast interviewing in on the West Coast, allot two days. One day to fly in the night and one day to return.

 

[The Buff]

- preferrably January.

Personally, I would recommend taking December off. At this point everyone, including the interviewers, are fresher and more excited to interview. Plus, everyone is starting the trail then so there are no advantages there. Not that you can't do it well in January, buy I think I would have just felt way behind if I did it this way. Seems most people I have come across on the trail took December off and something light in January.

 

[LadyGrey]

I got a lot of my interviews done in during mid-November to mid-December (which is how my block fell). Some places don't interview right around the holidays, so I think taking all of December off would actually be wasting those last two weeks of the month.

I've got one more to go, and am glad I did them earlier rather than later.

 

[college!!]

Most programs offer on a rolling schedule from early Nov-end of Jan. Applicants seem to prefer the December slots, and they fill up first.

If you apply early, and are reasonably competitive, you should be able to choose your dates.

I applied exclusively in NYC, loaded most of my interviews into the block that included the last two weeks of nov and the first two of dec.

Also, the NYU medical toxicology elective is a great one to be on during interview season in NYC, it's flexible in terms of hours, and you get to meet residents from almost all of the local programs, plus you learn a ton.

 

[docjolly]

i definitely agree with the other posters.

my school's 4th year requirements are pretty flexible. i completed 3 EM electives, and pushed off interviews and my required senior clerkships until after i had completed my electives. i'm interviewing mostly now, a month where i have radiology. it's a serious balancing act because i have a several requirements that need to be met for my course, but i also have the majority of EM interviews this month (specifically here in the NE). some of my classmates opted to take the entire month off (Dec. or Jan.) to focus on interviews..

i'd definitely check your school's academic calendar, and ascertain that you are, in fact, able to take a month off, or at least schedule your interviews during an "easier" clerkship month.

i'd definitely

 

[Freakingzooming]

Personally, I would recommend taking December off. At this point everyone, including the interviewers, are fresher and more excited to interview. Plus, everyone is starting the trail then so there are no advantages there. Not that you can't do it well in January, buy I think I would have just felt way behind if I did it this way. Seems most people I have come across on the trail took December off and something light in January.

I agree with Lady Grey. Most of December fills up quickly and unless they offer you interviews early in November you won't likely get most of your interviews in December. Likely you will get more options to interview in January. Also you want to leave your January open cuz you want the most flexibility if a dream program offers you an interview late in the season cuz someone cancelled. Yo also want the month off in case you want to do second looks.

Ideally- we could all get two months off- December and January but i wouldn't let interviewing cut too much into my vacation time.