Which EM organization to join????

[RynoTheGuy]

I'm a fresh 3rd year med student and am highly interested in EM. I'm looking to join an organization such as SAEM or ACEP or EMRA but am unsure of which one...or any at all? I'd like to start diving into EM as much as I can during 3rd year. My Step 1 score was lower than I was hoping (some factors played into that: 2 kids and a 9-month pregnant wife with a difficult pregnancy took away from study time).

I am trying to get on the ball as early as I can to make myself as strong an applicant as possible and was considering joining an organization as part of that process. Thoughts?

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[NERDY]

As a student, I was not part of any national orgs (just my school's EMIG which was free). I matched just fine. My residency paid for ACEP/SAEM/EMRA. Study harder for step2 and make sure you go up in score. If asked about your step 1, have a reasonable explanation but don't make excuses.

 

[Arcan57]

I'm a fresh 3rd year med student and am highly interested in EM. I'm looking to join an organization such as SAEM or ACEP or EMRA but am unsure of which one...or any at all? I'd like to start diving into EM as much as I can during 3rd year. My Step 1 score was lower than I was hoping (some factors played into that: 2 kids and a 9-month pregnant wife with a difficult pregnancy took away from study time).

I am trying to get on the ball as early as I can to make myself as strong an applicant as possible and was considering joining an organization as part of that process. Thoughts?

I don't think membership in a national org helps you match. I'd recommend ACEP as I think they're the most useful lobbying group on EM issues, but most residencies already pay for that.

 

[sylvanthus]

SAEM is expensive. I would do EMRA as you get dual membership in ACEP as well. Plus there are a plethora of opportunities to join committees and such.

 

[dotcb]

EMRA - if anything...

 

[Doctor Bob]

I am trying to get on the ball as early as I can to make myself as strong an applicant as possible and was considering joining an organization as part of that process. Thoughts?

In the match process, being part of a national organization gets you 0 points.

If you are an officer in a national organization... well... that's a different story. By the start of 3rd year that ship has already sailed though (as student reps are usually chosen from people who have been active in the organization for a year or two already).

 

[Bojack Horseman]

I believe you can get a joint membership to acep/emra for ~$55/yr as a medical student

 

[QuackaDO]

In the match process, being part of a national organization gets you 0 points.

If you are an officer in a national organization... well... that's a different story. By the start of 3rd year that ship has already sailed though (as student reps are usually chosen from people who have been active in the organization for a year or two already).

And just outta curiosity... if someone WAS an officer in said national organization... just how much of a different story is it? 😉 I mean, does it really matter that much and what's the perception for the very few that are?

 

[Doctor Bob]

And just outta curiosity... if someone WAS an officer in said national organization... just how much of a different story is it? 😉 I mean, does it really matter that much and what's the perception for the very few that are?

It's like anything else in the application; if you have it and others don't then it may be the tipping factor. But it's not enough to offset other detractors.

I'm not going to stand up during rank day and say "wow, we've got to take this person because they're the EMRA student rep"... but when we get to the point where all the applicants start to look the same it can be one of those things that makes us remember you. "Which one was she again? Oh yea, she was the EMRA rep. Nice person, would probably do well here."

 

[QuackaDO]

It's like anything else in the application; if you have it and others don't then it may be the tipping factor. But it's not enough to offset other detractors.

I'm not going to stand up during rank day and say "wow, we've got to take this person because they're the EMRA student rep"... but when we get to the point where all the applicants start to look the same it can be one of those things that makes us remember you. "Which one was she again? Oh yea, she was the EMRA rep. Nice person, would probably do well here."

Makes sense 👍 I would guess it probably also is partially dependent on how involved the program/ program leadership are in whichever organization as well but good to know.

 

[deuist]

I am trying to get on the ball as early as I can to make myself as strong an applicant as possible and was considering joining an organization as part of that process.

Joining an organization will not make you a strong applicant. What will make you a strong applicant is having good personality, good rec letters, good grades, and good board scores. That, and don't be a douche during your interview. Back when I was in residency I would cringe at least one applicant a week who either talked too much or came across as being too awkward. Mostly I just want to work with someone reliable, who isn't egotistical, and can take criticism without becoming defensive or argumentative. Strangely, I find more and more that so long is someone is willing to learn, I'll take a junior resident with a compatible personality over the guy who reads 5 journals a month and then feels the need to tell me about it.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Not a PD, not in an academic program but...

I think all students interested in EM SHOULD be members of ACEP/State ACEP/EMRA chapter. It costs $55 and the EMRA site does have excellent information for the student, PLUS you get the monthly Annals publication, which if you don't know, is our 'gold standard' journal for EM.

Will it help you match or not match, probably not.... but you never can tell. IF I was a PD, I think I would ask an applicant what organizations they are members of. I would not be biased if they are members of SAEM or ACEP, but being a member of at least something shows they are support their hopeful specialty..

I guess what I am saying, I would not discount membership so easily. ACEP has done a multitude of things that make our specialty what it is today and we must support the organization to make certain they are there for us tomorrow....

 

[Old_Mil]

www.aaem.org

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[DoctorMedic]

EMRA which also gives you ACEP and some great quick cards for em rotations if you still have any left, residency match advice book written by current/former PD, and some other things. Having membership shows a little more commitment than not in my opinion.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

A student should join EMRA/ACEP and probably AAEM too if they can (actually, I think you have to complete residency to actually join AAEM, but maybe there's a trainee option). The reason isn't because it looks good, it's because it provides exposure to the issues EPs face, and when you understand those, YOU look good. If this is your profession, you might as well know about the issues facing it as early as possible.

 

[sylvanthus]

A student should join EMRA/ACEP and probably AAEM too if they can (actually, I think you have to complete residency to actually join AAEM, but maybe there's a trainee option). The reason isn't because it looks good, it's because it provides exposure to the issues EPs face, and when you understand those, YOU look good. If this is your profession, you might as well know about the issues facing it as early as possible.

You can do AAEM/RSA. Lots of leadership positions available through AAEM as well.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

You can do AAEM/RSA. Lots of leadership positions available through AAEM as well.

It's also free for students. No reason not to.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

It's also free for students. No reason not to.

I think I paid $55 for AAEM/RSA, but it does come with JEM and EM:RAP.

 

[DoctorMedic]

I think I paid $55 for AAEM/RSA, but it does come with JEM and EM:RAP.

EMRA costs $55 and comes with EM:RAP, do they both cost same and provide EM:Rap?