What are my chances

[norgeringerike]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all, first time post here. Know it is a bit early, but wanted to get an idea of my chances in the ER field, so I can pull the EJECT cord now if i need to!

3rd year student at Mid tier univ., 227 step 1, upper half of class first two years (but not top third), honors in all clinical rotations so far. Honored 2nd year ER elective(strictly classroom). Research in non-ER field (Did before i knew i wanted to go in ER). Scheduled to do ER rotations at Cinci, Hennepin, and home program early in 4th year. Too much extra curricular activity/ volunteer to list, but not sure that really matters.

assuming my clinical rotation grades continue to be high pass/honors, and i do well on my three ER electives, how qualified of an applicant will I be? How many residencies would you suggest I apply to?

Thanks in advance for any comments/advice. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts over the last few years.

 

[Seaglass]

I'd say the cards you still have in your hand are your letters of recommendation. If great they can make you, if bad they can break you so make sure you get 4 good ones. As for the rest I would say you are more or less identical to me as far as stats and I got 19 of 19 interviews including some difficult programs. So I'd say apply to ~20 and pick your favorite 12 to interview at, if that many. If I go unmatched I'll let you know!

Casey

 

[Seaglass]

Oh, you didn't mention MD or DO. Unfortunately in some places it does continue to matter.

Casey

 

[norgeringerike]

MD

 

[bustinbooty]

Can you identify some of these places that are still anti-DO? It may save me some trouble.

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by cg1155
Oh, you didn't mention MD or DO. Unfortunately in some places it does continue to matter.

Casey

🙂 Not sure if there are any "mid-tier" DO schools. 🙂

I'd say you have just a good a chance as any. I met several people on the interview trail who were strictly average. I've also seen several people this year itnerviewing at my program who are average across the board, but something stuck out in their application to warrant them an interview.

An average applicant (of which I think you are above average) should match in EM somewhere...

If you get some decent LORs the world is yours!

Q, DO

 

[Seaglass]

Yeah thanks for that DO clarification Quinn. As to which programs are DO friendly/unfriendly, if you do a "DO" search on this forum you'll come up with a crap-load of info. As a vast over-generalization I would say most of the old-school institutions are still DO unfriendly. Fortunately they're a minority in EM I think.

As to the OP, I was told by many that my file was way above average even though it looks pretty typical on the surface, and I was told at more than half of my interviews that my LOR's were excellent and "do you have any questions for us then." So bust your ass to get some good LOR's and then hit the trail. My only other word of advice is to apply early to get your name on their desk. Remember, all you need to "apply" is a CV.

Casey

 

[Seaglass]

Oh, I forgot that it also depends where you want to go. the competition is a lot stiffer out west and in cali than on the east coast where I applied. We have butt-loads of programs out here. I think I tallied up just the pennsylvania programs at more than 10 this year.

 

[Coleman]

I would reiterate what was said before and add the following:

EM is not hard to get into. Where people run into trouble is if they are limited by geography or desire to get into one specific, high-profile program.

For those worried about getting in, you should have nothing but hope because there are so many programs now and with the change in surgery to the 80 hour work week, many applicants are headed away from EM and toward a surigcal field.

I putting my bet down now that we will have less applicants to EM this year than last when it is all tallied up, and, I'll go further and state that the list of un-matched programs is larger than last years.

Any other takers?

 

[Seaglass]

I'll take your bet. $20?

Casey

 

[grouptherapy]

Originally posted by Coleman
I putting my bet down now that we will have less applicants to EM this year than last when it is all tallied up, and, I'll go further and state that the list of un-matched programs is larger than last years.

partially agree-list of un-matched will be larger, but
more applicants this year


keep your dough. i'm going to vegas next week.

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by Coleman
I would reiterate what was said before and add the following:

EM is not hard to get into. Where people run into trouble is if they are limited by geography or desire to get into one specific, high-profile program.

For those worried about getting in, you should have nothing but hope because there are so many programs now and with the change in surgery to the 80 hour work week, many applicants are headed away from EM and toward a surigcal field.

I putting my bet down now that we will have less applicants to EM this year than last when it is all tallied up, and, I'll go further and state that the list of un-matched programs is larger than last years.

Any other takers?

I'll take your $. See one of my previous post in another thread of a title about rumors of applications this year. Apparently all the PDs got sent out an email giving them the # of applicants this year compared to last.

Q, DO

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by cg1155
Yeah thanks for that DO clarification Quinn. As to which programs are DO friendly/unfriendly, if you do a "DO" search on this forum you'll come up with a crap-load of info. As a vast over-generalization I would say most of the old-school institutions are still DO unfriendly. Fortunately they're a minority in EM I think.

As to the OP, I was told by many that my file was way above average even though it looks pretty typical on the surface, and I was told at more than half of my interviews that my LOR's were excellent and "do you have any questions for us then." So bust your ass to get some good LOR's and then hit the trail. My only other word of advice is to apply early to get your name on their desk. Remember, all you need to "apply" is a CV.

Casey

I agree. If you get a LOR from an MD program as DO, that gives you a LOT more credibility. Even more credibility than taking the USMLE (IMHO).

All one can do as a DO is to do one or two rotations at institutions with residencies, and apply to a lot of places. Don't apply to just 10, because you may only get 5 interviews. I applied to 40 and got 20! If you limit yourself like CG says, you'll have a lower success of matching.

Q, DO

 

[AznTrojan]

woo hoo.. there's hope for average people like me.. 😛

Originally posted by QuinnNSU
🙂 Not sure if there are any "mid-tier" DO schools. 🙂

I'd say you have just a good a chance as any. I met several people on the interview trail who were strictly average. I've also seen several people this year itnerviewing at my program who are average across the board, but something stuck out in their application to warrant them an interview.

An average applicant (of which I think you are above average) should match in EM somewhere...

If you get some decent LORs the world is yours!

Q, DO

 

[DrQuinn]

I hear there is an EM residency in Baghdad with your name on it, AznTrojan.

Q, dO

 

[roja]

Not really much to add in. You sound like a good applicant. Like all things, depends on where you want to go. You need to apply strategically. (based on you and your application).

Also, you need to decide some general things you want in a program and then do some research. Figure out what is most important to you in a program and go from there.

 

[J143]

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in as a DO at the new northern California Osteopathic school (Touro University). I've got average/below average numbers for EM applicants

(USMLE 1 = 211, USMLE 2 = 232)
NO name recognition in terms of med school
top 10% of my class
lots of extracurriculars
no research

The one thing I did that saved me was I did 2 outside EM rotations at MD places and got super letters (a little luck never hurts!) That's what people talk about at my interviews.

There is definitely some anti-DO sentiment going on during the application process, but I managed to get lucky and still get about 20 interviews (did 15, applied to 35), with many at what some people consider to be strong programs (Highland, Maricopa, UC Davis, UCLA-Olive View, St. Lukes Roosevelt (NYC), Kings County, USC-LAC, Lincoln, Cook County, Northwestern, CWRU/Metro)

I agree with Quinn, apply early, apply to a lot of programs, and get LOR's from attendings at strong MD EM programs. I don't know where I will end up on my match list, but for an "average" EM applicant, I think I'll do OK if I end up anywhere on my top 10 list.

Can't wait until March 15th!😱

 

[VentdependenT]

Originally posted by bustinbooty
Can you identify some of these places that are still anti-DO? It may save me some trouble.

Fly over the match lists for AZCOM which I posted in OSTEO forum. There you can get an idea of what MD EM programs are accepting DO's. This in no means should limit your program choice however. Juz sheddn some light.

 

[gimmedog]

Originally posted by J143
The one thing I did that saved me was I did 2 outside EM rotations at MD places and got super letters (a little luck never hurts!) That's what people talk about at my interviews.

Can't wait until March 15th!😱

I agree completely! EM wants people who can perform well in the ED. If you have an amazing rotation and people like to work woth you, you're in a good position. Think about the top1-2 programs you might like to go to, and do an audition rotation. Good evaluations will go much farther than scores, grades, or school. A lot of interviewers brought up my letters and evaluations, too.

I'm with ya J143, can;t wait!