Too late?

[dankni6]

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I just finished my first EM rotation of my fourth year. EM seems fun-- loads of drama, variety, shift work, rel. good pay, etc., etc. Loads of fun. So much fun that I'm reconsidering my 'so called' future speciality, which is Gas (which I'm also in the process of interviewing for right now.) SO . . . QUESTION: Is it too late to apply to EM at this point? What are my [best] options? Apply? Scramble? Apply in my transition year? Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[tabasco]

Yes, it's late. Interview invitations have slowed down to a trickle even for people who applied long ago. I sort of finished my interview season yesterday. I think most schools' deadline for accepting applications is December 15. You probably don't have an app. that would work for EM (SLORS? Long time interest in EM? etc.)

I think you should continue what you started out doing, and consider reapplying next year, if you decide that's the right thing to do. Consider changing your schedule for the rest of the year to get some more feel for it - an EM rotation away wherever you are intersted, for example, or tox, or wilderness.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Tabasco

 

[sweetfynesse]

I totally disagree.

Although I do think its really late to apply, if you really enjoyed your rotation, you at least have a leg up at the program you rotated at. They must like you, otherwise you probably wouldnt have liked it so much. So, tell the PD and chairman that you have applied to XYZ, but never considered ER until your rotation, and that you have found that you want to pursue ER. Tell them that you realize it is late, and that you would even like to train at their program. And ER is a small community, the PD/Chairman at the hospital could make a few phone calls for you and get you some interviews if they feel like you're a strong applicant. Do give up before you even started. Go and Talk to someone in the Emergency department tomorrow and be persistent....

 

[NinerNiner999]

Second to that. There is no "requirement" for deadlines in a program - they are program-specific. I'm sure that if the program you worked at liked you, they would consider a "late" application if you explained the circumstances. Be sure to have them fill out a CORD letter of recommendation for you, so you can submit it with your app if they will accept it. Good Luck however things end up.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Its never too late to switch specialties. You may lose a year, but it beats doing something you're not happy doing.

 

[Sheerstress]

I know of one resident who initially matched early with a military EM program, and was then blindsided when his superiors told him in December that the program was going to be discontinued, and that he had no where to go at that point.

He did apply late, and matched at a good program, although it was still an 11th hour deal for him. It's certainly still possible, although certainly more difficult if you don't have better numbers. Good luck.