What to bring to DC?

[ewells]

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Hello. I am an MS4 going into EM. I am going to the Scientific Assembly in September and would like to know what is appropriate to leave with the program representatives at the residency fair. Are CVs enough, not enough, too much? Cover letters, personal statements? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Hercules]

You'll probably get several differing opinions here, but when I went I didn't take anything. I went to evaluate them and see what I thought of their PD's and residents not to sell them on me. Besides I felt like it would just be a pain for them to have to lug around a bunch of CV's with the exact same information that was already on ERAS.

 

[edinOH]

Hello. I am an MS4 going into EM. I am going to the Scientific Assembly in September and would like to know what is appropriate to leave with the program representatives at the residency fair. Are CVs enough, not enough, too much? Cover letters, personal statements? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Just a smile and an interesting personality.

Forget CVs, cover letters, and personal statement.

There will plenty of time for that later.

I can promise you exactly where any one of the above items will end up if they are handed to me at the residency fair. It isn't to be rude, just really inconvienient, and honestly, not very pertinent at this stage.

Remember who you speak to at the various programs where you might like to interview. If you get an invite later on in the season, you may remember some faces/names and can be a good conversation starter during the interview.

If you don't get invited to a particular place, you will have a good opening when you call the program asking for an interview. "Hi, my name is _____ and I discussed your progam at ACEP with Dr. _______. I am very interested in your program and would appreciate an interview" etc, etc.

 

[Jeff698]

I went to the residency fair to get a better feel for programs and try to figure out which ones I was interested in. I brought back lots of their handouts and went through most of it back at home.

I certainly didn't take any CVs and cards. It really isn't like a job fair where potential employers are looking for employees. The programs are there to answer questions and stimulate interest and applications.

I would, however, recommend that you sign the "I stopped by" list at each program that has one (that you're interested in, anyway). Some may use it to send you more information, some may toss it in the trash but, who knows, some may use if as an indicator that you have more than a passing interest.

BTW, I still love the long sleeved T-shirt I got from Washington University's program. I didn't even apply there (wrong geography for me) but I love the shirt. 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

 

[dlung]

I disagree. I brought a bunch of CVs with me and dropped them off at every table I talked to people with. As long as you're not obnoxious about it (and there were some pretty obnoxious people there), it doesn't hurt, so why not? But, I agree with previous posters that the most important thing is chatting with people with a smile and honest interest. Those leave the impressions...

 

[ewells]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice.

 

[atsai3]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice.

I think I would echo some of the other posters in suggesting that it's not necessary that you drop off your CV at the tables. However, it would be nice if you had 1 or 2 copies on hand that you could give out if you were asked for one...

-AT.

 

[Snoopy]

I disagree. I brought a bunch of CVs with me and dropped them off at every table I talked to people with. As long as you're not obnoxious about it (and there were some pretty obnoxious people there), it doesn't hurt, so why not? But, I agree with previous posters that the most important thing is chatting with people with a smile and honest interest. Those leave the impressions...

As a resident who will be staffing my 5th residency fair table in just over 2 years, I would discourage you from bringing a CV. We don't look at this as an opportunity to evaluate candidates and the CVs don't make it away from the table. I would sign the list of every program you visit. We DO use this when it comes time to invite students to interview. Our PD invites everyone who makes a point of stopping by the table to interview. I would also encourage you to send a follow-up email to anyone who you feel you make a good connection with. That will cement you in their head and make you more recognizable come interview season.