1. Emergency Medicine: The Application Process

2. Outline Emergency Medicine Scores and statistics How to match?
3rd and 4th year schedule
Away Rotations
Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOEs)
Research
Personal statement
Process overview
Interviews
Tips and tricks
Resources
Questions

3. Emergency Medicine Why EM? You will hear this question 1000 times
Have answers for it

4. Averages Overview
From Charting Outcomes in the Match 2014

5. Resident Selection
From “Selection Criteria for Emergency Medicine Residency Applicants” (JT Crane & CM Ferraro, 1999)
118 program directors surveyed (79.7% responded)
Rated 20 factors from 5 = most important to 1 = least important

6. Number of Programs Ranked
Take home message: aim for interviews to feel comfortable.
Rank all programs unless you absolutely hated one or you went on >12 interviews. A job is better than no job!
Note: these numbers are for ranked interviews, not number of interviews attended or programs ranked

7. Developing Trends Rank more programs in your specialty US graduate
AOA membership
Higher Step 1 and Step 2 scores

8. 2016 Match Data 174 programs offering 1,895 positions
Of all U.S. seniors who applied to emergency medicine, 87.8% matched, and only 1 EM position remained unfilled.
53% of matched U.S. Seniors got their first choice
14.9% needing to go past the fourth spot on their rank list

9. Want more numbers? Google “Charting outcomes for the match 2014”
The NRMP website historical match data for several years prior and some preliminary data for 2016

10. Scheduling Ideal schedule: Can still take Peds EM, Tox, Ultrasound etc
3rd year – EM
4th year EM sub I in B block
Aways in C/D block for SLOEs and to “get your face out there”
Only allowed to take 3 EM rotations
Can still take Peds EM, Tox, Ultrasound etc

11. Example Schedule Tips and tricks Sub-I here? That’s up to you
If an away does no overlap with UB’s schedule, use a vacation month and spend the time off studying for USMLE Step 2

12. It is not the end of the world if you don’t get the perfect schedule
You should aim to have everything in by Oct. 1st (ERAS opens mid-September)
Many programs not offering interviews until mid- October to allow more time to complete aways and get SLOEs

13. Away Rotations
“You don’t have to do them”  becoming the new norm to do them
VSAS  Apply now! Don’t apply to too many (retractions look bad)
Scheduling is a pain (may need to take months off/combine with USMLE studying, research, etc)
Apply to schools you think you want to go to
Apply to regions you want to go to also (SLOEs are regional)
If you do multiple aways, do each in different environments (community vs. university hospital)
Get a SLOE from each away (not doing so is a red flag)
It is a month long audition elective, so give it your all, attend everything offered, and be on your best behavior
You are not guaranteed an interview, but some programs will interview you before you leave (bring some nice clothes in case)
Expensive, but worth it

14. Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE)
Not necessarily recommendations. Evaluates performance in the ED and ranks you compared to others
Need a minimum of 3 letters for ERAS (2 SLOEs best)
3rd letter can be tradition LoR, but carries much less weight than a SLOE (better to have 3 SLOEs)
Many rotations will automatically write one if you ask early on in the rotation
Many are “group” SLOEs based of ED evaluations from residents/attendings
For non-EM letters, just ask  “Do you feel comfortable writing me a LoR”
You will need to formally request on ERAS and give the confirmation to your letter writer, so that they can upload it
Some may want resume and/or your personal statement, so have a solid draft before your EM electives
Google SLOR online to see what that is all about

15. Research Statistics say: “1 – 2” research experiences
Likely more important for more academic programs
Personal experience: my research was infrequently brought up during interviews
Plenty of opportunities here
Check the Buffalo EM site and whoever’s project you find interesting or talk to Dr. Clemency

16. Personal Statement Not of high importance for EM
More likely to hurt you than elevate your app  don’t try to be overly creative
Does offer an opportunity for you to stand out if done well
Writing tip: try to grab the reader’s attention early on (don’t be cliché though)
Must address: “Why do you fit into EM (i.e. personality)?” and what attributes you would bring to a program
Don’t just write an essay on why you like EM
Other topics: subspecialty interests, hobbies/background, things you are looking for in a program, career goals (don’t be so specific as to turn off programs)
Have a few readers (too many cooks in the kitchen can get messy)
Dr. Wiech and Dr. Pugh are really good
Grammar is paramount! Quadruple check before submitting

17. Process Overview
Submit applications in mid-September. Get CV & personal statement proofread and entered before that
SLOEs slowly come in (by mid October)
Stay on top of your letter writers (politely!)
Avoid being obnoxious (they are busy people)
Dean’s letter uploaded October 1st
Aim to submit no later than October 1st (sometimes before your last letter is uploaded)
Interviews come in before Dean’s letter
Many EM programs are not offering interviews until mid-October (some offer as early mid-September)

18. Interviews They conversational for the most part
However, canned/scenario questions are not infrequent
Common topics: hobbies, CV activities, current events, patient stories (both good and frustrating), strength/weakness, why this program/area, etc
Be able to answer why EM! You will be asked ad naseaum
Remember that it is a job/coworker interview (dress to impress)
Do you have any other questions? (always have several ready because some interviewers start with this)
Go to all pre-interview dinners (remember to behave!)

19. Personal tips
Keep a residency journal with your gestalt, attitudes, interesting tid bits (don’t drown in the details). Have a running rank list going
program coordinator before program director if you have a simple question about the program
/write a program you really want to go to
Only say “I am ranking your program number 1” to ONE program (dishonesty travels).
For the other top 2 or 3 use “I am ranking your program very highly”
Thank you notes (the norm)  try to reference some specifics of your interview conversation

20. Common Regrets Not calling programs / expressing interest
Not asking for an advisor
Find someone you clicked with and not asking for a LoR
Not researching programs enough
Not being aware of certain programs

21. Resources -SAEM: http://www.saem.org/membership/medical-students
-EMRA:
-The EM Match: A Top 10 List For Success
-Advice for Emergency Med Applicants:
-What To Look for in an EM Residency:
-Specific Residency Websites
-GHHS residency guide

22. Thanks for listening and good luck!
Questions?
Thanks for listening and good luck!