VSAS 2019

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The Knife & Gun Club

The Knife & Gun Club

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Hi all - thought I’d kick off a VSAS thread for this year, as electives are starting to open up and apps are just starting to go out. Seems like the last thread was 2017, but it seems useful so let’s bring it back for ‘19.

Use this as a place to ask questions, talk about the process, and vent as needed.

Here’s the 2017 thread:
VSAS 2017 Thread

I’ll kick off with a couple questions:

How have you all done the AAMC standard immunization form? Fill out only the minimum requirements per the form, or include all the Titers, PPDs, IGRAs and everything else you have even if it’s in excess of what the form asks for?

How are people handling the new “personal statement” requirements? Writing a full, ERAS quality PS? A brief blurb about why EM? Something in between?
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What personal statement part are you talking about? The ones required by individual programs or the generic one that is part of your main VSAS application?

For the AAMC immuno form I filled out everything it required (so if it said "dates of titers or dates of vaccination" I just did one or the other) and attached a stupid amount of lab paperwork.
 
EmergDO said:
What personal statement part are you talking about? The ones required by individual programs or the generic one that is part of your main VSAS application?

For the AAMC immuno form I filled out everything it required (so if it said "dates of titers or dates of vaccination" I just did one or the other) and attached a stupid amount of lab paperwork.
Click to expand...

I guess both. Every place I’ve applied to so far (UNC and Carolinas) requires a specific one
 
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I've left my generic one blank for now, I might put a quick paragraph in there before March. I'm doing my best to avoid programs with PS requirements haha, but if needed I was thinking maybe 3 paragraphs or so? Probably not full PS but I have no idea if that's acceptable or not.
 
The Knife & Gun Club said:
Hi all - thought I’d kick off a VSAS thread for this year, as electives are starting to open up and apps are just starting to go out. Seems like the last thread was 2017, but it seems useful so let’s bring it back for ‘19.

Use this as a place to ask questions, talk about the process, and vent as needed.

Here’s the 2017 thread:
VSAS 2017 Thread

I’ll kick off with a couple questions:

How have you all done the AAMC standard immunization form? Fill out only the minimum requirements per the form, or include all the Titers, PPDs, IGRAs and everything else you have even if it’s in excess of what the form asks for?

How are people handling the new “personal statement” requirements? Writing a full, ERAS quality PS? A brief blurb about why EM? Something in between?
Click to expand...

Thanks for starting this up, didn't even realize that there was a 2017 thread for it.

How have you all done the AAMC standard immunization form? Fill out only the minimum requirements per the form, or include all the Titers, PPDs, IGRAs and everything else you have even if it’s in excess of what the form asks for?
I have one saved with just the form and titers written in and one saved with the actual lab slip attached. My top program requires the titers so I went ahead and had them drawn.

How are people handling the new “personal statement” requirements? Writing a full, ERAS quality PS? A brief blurb about why EM? Something in between?
I am writing a statement on why I specifically want to rotate at their program. On my spreadsheet I take notes for all of the programs that I'm interested in and why, so going back to write the personal statement I reference that. Main things for me are their reputation from previous students who rotated there, exposure/autonomy as a student (I don't want to go and shadow), and whether or not there's a cost associated (funding all of this on my own).
 
If you hover over the personal statement requirement on the VSLO screen it will tell you more about what that program expects, some even specify a word limit.
 
@The Knife & Gun Club I saved the AAMC form with attached lab proof (e.g. titers) as one PDF. I didn’t fill out the mini personal statement section for VSAS, but I have written a statement of interest for one program so far.

Anyone else anxiously waiting for programs to open for applications and hoping they’ll still have spots left? I’ve heard some programs will unofficially fill outside of VSAS and with how competitive this all can be, I’m hoping to be able to snag two rotations.
 
TTPpentad said:
@The Knife & Gun Club Anyone else anxiously waiting for programs to open for applications and hoping they’ll still have spots left? I’ve heard some programs will unofficially fill outside of VSAS and with how competitive this all can be, I’m hoping to be able to snag two rotations.
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Yea this is what worries me so much. I like can’t plan my 4th year schedule until I know when these electives are, and the majority won’t even be accepting apps until May.
 
TTPpentad said:
@The Knife & Gun Club I saved the AAMC form with attached lab proof (e.g. titers) as one PDF. I didn’t fill out the mini personal statement section for VSAS, but I have written a statement of interest for one program so far.

Anyone else anxiously waiting for programs to open for applications and hoping they’ll still have spots left? I’ve heard some programs will unofficially fill outside of VSAS and with how competitive this all can be, I’m hoping to be able to snag two rotations.
Click to expand...

How do they fill outside of VSAS? do you have to have some inside contact or just start calling hoping to get a spot before it opens?
This process is so stressful!
 
medhopeful82 said:
How do they fill outside of VSAS? do you have to have some inside contact or just start calling hoping to get a spot before it opens?
This process is so stressful!
Click to expand...
Inside contacts. I have a friend who just unofficially got a spot at a program that uses VSAS because his mentor knows someone. They said to apply once their VSAS slots open and his application will be accepted. I, on the other hand, have no special contacts and will be banking on programs accepting me just because!
 
How have you all done the AAMC standard immunization form? Fill out only the minimum requirements per the form, or include all the Titers, PPDs, IGRAs and everything else you have even if it’s in excess of what the form asks for?
I filled out the minimum requirements and then just scanned in a small mountain of the original copies I have for titer/vaccinations after the forms and just wrote that I had done that it the comments section so programs could peruse that if they chose to.

How are people handling the new “personal statement” requirements? Writing a full, ERAS quality PS? A brief blurb about why EM? Something in between?
The EM program director at our school recently gave us advice to share our interests/unique things about ourselves whenever given an opportunity, so I just wrote a short informal blurb about where I'm from and briefly about some interests I have that would not be apparent from just reading my CV ("I grew up in ____ and in my free time I enjoy collecting antique lunchboxes and playing the banjo / whatever the f***") I feel like there is a pretty good chance programs are not going to read this at all and best case scenario someone reads and it helps you.

I also agree with previous posts about the paranoia this whole process creates. Does anyone know if there is a time frame when/if ever it is okay to start gently pestering programs about our applications? I feel like all of the communications I've received from programs so far to "wait to see what we tell you in May," is in direct conflict from the advice I've received from older students.
 
luckycccc said:
I also agree with previous posts about the paranoia this whole process creates. Does anyone know if there is a time frame when/if ever it is okay to start gently pestering programs about our applications? I feel like all of the communications I've received from programs so far to "wait to see what we tell you in May," is in direct conflict from the advice I've received from older students.
Click to expand...

Yea I was chatting with our clerkship director - she said it’s a good idea to email the clerkship directors of every program to make sure they’re aware of my app.

But to me this just seems so annoying.
 
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How are people handling the new “personal statement” requirements? Writing a full, ERAS quality PS? A brief blurb about why EM? Something in between?

Speaking with some of the M4s applying into EM from my school, most of them didn't put anything in the spot on VSAS for your "personal statement." I'm probably going to just leave it blank.

I've only had to write a letter of interest thus far for one program, no personal statement just yet.
 
I left that section blank also. Debating on whether or not its worth adding something. Especially since most programs will request a letter of interest if they want that. On the other hand it may be nice to read a quick blurb about the applicant (thinking of the institution end) but whether or not the person making the decision reads this is another question.
 
So I got accepted to do an away rotation this past week. I have read generally good things about this away however I have also read that SLOE are not the best/ and or youll be told that they'll write a solid SLOE and then write a mediocre one. If I accept( which I likely will because its in the geographic region im interested in even though its not a big name program) should I do another rotation in between my home EM rotation and this away rotation ????

worried about burnout, I would be on the road for 2 consecutive months likely driving long distance in between. Would finish all aways before October.
 
Superslim11 said:
So I got accepted to do an away rotation this past week. I have read generally good things about this away however I have also read that SLOE are not the best/ and or youll be told that they'll write a solid SLOE and then write a mediocre one. If I accept( which I likely will because its in the geographic region im interested in even though its not a big name program) should I do another rotation in between my home EM rotation and this away rotation ????

worried about burnout, I would be on the road for 2 consecutive months likely driving long distance in between. Would finish all aways before October.
Click to expand...


The way I would approach it is to have another SLOE in line so that if you are concerned about the quality of this SLOE, you have that as a back up. That being said, as far as I know we don't have any way to see our SLOE so it's sort of a gamble in that respect. I would imagine/hope that if you work your a** off and really shine on the rotation, it should show on your SLOE.

I'm doing a total of 4 auditions so I feel your concern about burnout.
 
Stephanopolous said:
The way I would approach it is to have another SLOE in line so that if you are concerned about the quality of this SLOE, you have that as a back up. That being said, as far as I know we don't have any way to see our SLOE so it's sort of a gamble in that respect. I would imagine/hope that if you work your a** off and really shine on the rotation, it should show on your SLOE.

I'm doing a total of 4 auditions so I feel your concern about burnout.
Click to expand...


Yeah, ill only find out after my home institution tells me how good the letters are (after home interview of course) hahaha. out of curiosity, why are you doing 4 aways? are you a DO? we only need 2. Technically I only need to do 1 as my home institution provides one for me.
 
Ohh ok that makes sense. I have no home site for an EM rotation. Yep, DO and my step 1 score is lower than the average for em so I’m going to try and maximize my chances by doing the auditions (working hard for great sloes) and applying to a lot of programs.
 
any opinions on how many applications to submit for each block? heard nightmares about people submitting a bunch of applications but not getting rotations. also dont want to burn bridges by not accepting or cancelling a rotation.
 
smalls0331 said:
any opinions on how many applications to submit for each block? heard nightmares about people submitting a bunch of applications but not getting rotations. also dont want to burn bridges by not accepting or cancelling a rotation.
Click to expand...

I feel like I get a different answer from every person I ask about this...so I assume it is somewhat of a moving target. I'm applying to 2-3 for each block and hoping for the best.
 
Also doing 2-3 per block but leaving my top choice block open for now and only applying to one for that.

The advice I’ve received is that this can burn bridges. Sucks that’s a reality but given the competitive nature of obtaining these auditions I’m not sure how else to approach it.
 
To give a clerkship director's point of view for some of the questions:
1. I probably won't give much weight to the personal statements; in my opinion the process is already overly burdensome and adding additional requirements seems like not the best use of applicants' time. I recognize the reason that a student is applying is to do an audition rotation, and don't really need a personal statement for that. However, some may weight them differently than me.
2. I would never hold it against an applicant if I offered them a clerkship position and they declined it. However, if someone accepted it and then later withdrew so that I couldn't fill it with a new applicant, unless there was an exceptional reason for the drop it would be highly unlikely that we would interview that candidate for residency.

For those interested in rotating in the Emergency Department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Student Affairs Office has yet to put up our dates, but we will have the following dates for rotations. UCLA students get "first dibs" on the 10 spots per month and subsequently we can offer remaining spots to visiting students (typically over 5 per month). VSAS is opening this year for UCLA on either March 18th or 19th.
  • Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 – June 21, 2019 (Monday is Memorial Day)
  • Monday, June 24th, 2019 – July 19, 2019
  • Monday, July 22nd, 2019 – August 16, 2019
  • Monday, August 19th, 2019 – September 13, 2019
  • Monday, September 16th, 2019 – October 13, 2019
  • Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 - November 8, 2019 (Monday is Columbus Day)
  • Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 – December 6, 2019 (Monday is Veteran Day)
  • Monday, January 6th, 2020 – January 31
  • Monday, February 3rd, 2020 – February 28, 2020
We also have a scholarship for students underrepresented in medicine that is administered by the hospital. If accepted to the subinternship, applicants can apply for the scholarship. Unfortunately since it is administered by the hospital itself and not us, we cannot guarantee who will receive the scholarship before accepting applicants to the subinternship. This is something we are working on.
 
RPedigo said:
To give a clerkship director's point of view for some of the questions:
1. I probably won't give much weight to the personal statements; in my opinion the process is already overly burdensome and adding additional requirements seems like not the best use of applicants' time. I recognize the reason that a student is applying is to do an audition rotation, and don't really need a personal statement for that. However, some may weight them differently than me.
2. I would never hold it against an applicant if I offered them a clerkship position and they declined it. However, if someone accepted it and then later withdrew so that I couldn't fill it with a new applicant, unless there was an exceptional reason for the drop it would be highly unlikely that we would interview that candidate for residency.

For those interested in rotating in the Emergency Department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Student Affairs Office has yet to put up our dates, but we will have the following dates for rotations. UCLA students get "first dibs" on the 10 spots per month and subsequently we can offer remaining spots to visiting students (typically over 5 per month). VSAS is opening this year for UCLA on either March 18th or 19th.
  • Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 – June 21, 2019 (Monday is Memorial Day)
  • Monday, June 24th, 2019 – July 19, 2019
  • Monday, July 22nd, 2019 – August 16, 2019
  • Monday, August 19th, 2019 – September 13, 2019
  • Monday, September 16th, 2019 – October 13, 2019
  • Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 - November 8, 2019 (Monday is Columbus Day)
  • Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 – December 6, 2019 (Monday is Veteran Day)
  • Monday, January 6th, 2020 – January 31
  • Monday, February 3rd, 2020 – February 28, 2020
We also have a scholarship for students underrepresented in medicine that is administered by the hospital. If accepted to the subinternship, applicants can apply for the scholarship. Unfortunately since it is administered by the hospital itself and not us, we cannot guarantee who will receive the scholarship before accepting applicants to the subinternship. This is something we are working on.
Click to expand...

Thank you for taking the time to give us some prospective and tell everyone about the program at Harbor. We all really appreciate it.
 
Are aways necessary? I have two EM rotations scheduled through my home institution, both at level 1 trauma centers in a major city and plan to get a SLOE from each. My wife is from one coast, I am from the other, and I go to school somewhere in the middle. I feel like this "unlocks" most geographic areas. My main concern is that I have a pretty stellar application on paper and don't want to risk seeming too interested in one particular program or have one subjective eval tank my chances. I also don't want to spend a bunch of money if it's not necessary.
 
backpackpalsy said:
Are aways necessary? I have two EM rotations scheduled through my home institution, both at level 1 trauma centers in a major city and plan to get a SLOE from each. My wife is from one coast, I am from the other, and I go to school somewhere in the middle. I feel like this "unlocks" most geographic areas. My main concern is that I have a pretty stellar application on paper and don't want to risk seeming too interested in one particular program or have one subjective eval tank my chances. I also don't want to spend a bunch of money if it's not necessary.
Click to expand...

I’m sure others can answer better than me, but I just know two SLOEs are required. I’m don’t think you’re physically required to go like in wherever, USA for a month, although I’d guess it’s recommended for diversity of your letters
 
You may be fine with just two SLOEs. However, most of my fellow applicants this year had at least three. I am just guessing, but you are probably referring to Hennepin and Partners (midwest and major city)?
 
DwightKShruteATTRM said:
You may be fine with just two SLOEs. However, most of my fellow applicants this year had at least three. I am just guessing, but you are probably referring to Hennepin and Partners (midwest and major city)?
Click to expand...
The VAST majority of programs require one or two. That person WILL be fine with two.
 
RPedigo said:
To give a clerkship director's point of view for some of the questions:
2. I would never hold it against an applicant if I offered them a clerkship position and they declined it. However, if someone accepted it and then later withdrew so that I couldn't fill it with a new applicant, unless there was an exceptional reason for the drop it would be highly unlikely that we would interview that candidate for residency.
Click to expand...
What of withdrawing far enough from the start date that the program is still able to refill the spot?
 
backpackpalsy said:
Are aways necessary? I have two EM rotations scheduled through my home institution, both at level 1 trauma centers in a major city and plan to get a SLOE from each. My wife is from one coast, I am from the other, and I go to school somewhere in the middle. I feel like this "unlocks" most geographic areas. My main concern is that I have a pretty stellar application on paper and don't want to risk seeming too interested in one particular program or have one subjective eval tank my chances. I also don't want to spend a bunch of money if it's not necessary.
Click to expand...

That should be completely fine. Many UCLA students do that as well (Reagan/OVMC and Harbor) and do fine with that, provided they’re both positive SLOEs. If you have a strong application otherwise, I don’t see it at all being an issue. That said the best potential way to increase your spot on a program’s rank list is to rotate there (since they know you personally and “know what they’re getting” so to speak), so it may be worth it if there’s a program you really want to check out. You don’t need three SLOEs, though.
 
minor.groove said:
What of withdrawing far enough from the start date that the program is still able to refill the spot?
Click to expand...

That’s tricky. Probably frowned upon but wouldn’t be an auto-rejection for residency. If I got the impression that someone dropped it because a “better offer” came along (which is frequently why this happens to some programs) then I would presume they by proxy wouldn’t be as interested in our residency program which would give me pause in using an interview slot on them. If it was due to circumstances outside their control and I got the feeling that was an honest answer, then I would try to not hold that against them.
 
DwightKShruteATTRM said:
You may be fine with just two SLOEs. However, most of my fellow applicants this year had at least three. I am just guessing, but you are probably referring to Hennepin and Partners (midwest and major city)?
Click to expand...

Most recent data I’ve seen (from our PD who gave a talk on the subject) had the avg matched applicant having 2.1 SLOEs.

Aka the majority have 2, with some (but not the majority) having 3.

Not sure if that data is publicly available though, or if it’s internal data from CORD. Also not sure if it only included DOs or just USMDs.
 
Superslim11 said:
So I got accepted to do an away rotation this past week. I have read generally good things about this away however I have also read that SLOE are not the best/ and or youll be told that they'll write a solid SLOE and then write a mediocre one. If I accept( which I likely will because its in the geographic region im interested in even though its not a big name program) should I do another rotation in between my home EM rotation and this away rotation ????

worried about burnout, I would be on the road for 2 consecutive months likely driving long distance in between. Would finish all aways before October.
Click to expand...

M4 here, just went through the process.

I would highly recommend selecting programs where you'll do audition rotations at based on your interest in the program itself/geographic region & the quality of SLOEs they write. While you can select which SLOEs are eventually sent to what programs via ERAS, it is a supreme waste of time (imo) to go to a place if you know they don't write great SLOEs.

SLOEs can be that huge boost to an otherwise average application, so treat that SLOE-eligible rotation as your golden ticket to the Chocolate Factory. Don't sleep on it.

Also, refer to the "Away Rotation Survey" tab in the '18-'19 EM Applicant Spreadsheet for feedback from us M4's from this cycle about away rotations at XYZ instution:


EM 2018-2019 Application spreadsheet
 
homebaseddad112818 said:
Is there someone in charge of making these? I know someone usually creates the large general application thread each year. Don't want to recreate the wheel if unnecessary.
Click to expand...

They’re a thread for reviewing always but not necessarily for when dates and stuff come out

I’d say we just use this thread since I’m not tech savvy enough to make a big fancy sheet.
 
I guess I’ll start:

Hennepin - complete 1/24
Carolinas - complete 1/25
UC Irvine - complete 2/27

no word from anyone yet :dead:
 
UCSF - complete 2/1
UCSF - Fresno - complete 2/18
Northwestern - complete 3/4
Cook - hopefully complete tomorrow if my school decides to release the application...

No word yet from anyone
 
hopefulgasman said:
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but cook EM is completely full for at least the first 4 months
Click to expand...

Cook's away rotation is offered to certain students first (from what I understand, UIC students get first dibs. Unsure if other Chicago med schools are considered as well). Cook received 2000 applications to do an away rotation this past cycle (I applied *late* & didn't get one).

That being said, you should still apply if you want to rotate there. Don't let any naysayers alter your course if your convictions are true.
 
Quick question...If a rotation has been accepting applications for a few weeks, is it still worth it to apply? Or does this kind of depend on the program?
 
charles.carmichael said:
Quick question...If a rotation has been accepting applications for a few weeks, is it still worth it to apply? Or does this kind of depend on the program?
Click to expand...

It certainly can't hurt you to apply, however if it's a super popular program I think the odds of getting the date you want are less likely. If I were you I would apply but also have a backup plan in mind.
 
Does anyone know if there’s a standard time of day that these programs will open on VSLO ?
 
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