EP11. How To Be Competitive

Metropolitan SCM Championship IMG_1954

For all you M3s out there, now is the time to start getting ready for the EM residency application season!

To do list:

  • Find and meet with an advisor, preferably someone trained in EM and familiar with the EM residency application process
  • Start looking into residency programs and take note of program-specific application requirements
  • Consider doing an away EM rotation in addition to your home rotation and contact schools to apply for a spot
  • Discuss with your advisor when it’s best for you to take Step 2 and aim for a higher score than on Step 1
  • Consider where you’ll need to get letters of recommendation or SLOEs (usually at least 2 from EM faculty + maybe one or two from outside of EM)
  • Keep working on getting those honors/A+’s on your M3 rotations!
  • Start writing your CV and personal statement

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Links and References

SAEM Residency and Clerkship Directories

CDEM Emergency Medicine Clerkship Primer 

EMRA Medical Student Survival Guide and other Advising Resources

1. Crane JT, Ferraro CM. Selection criteria for emergency medicine residency applicants. Acad Emerg Med. 2000;7:54-60.

2. Lotfipour S, Luu R, Hayden SR, Vaca F, Hoonpongsimanont W, Langdorf M. Becoming an emergency medicine resident: a practical guide for medical students. J Emerg Med. 2008;35(3):339-44.

3. Green M, Jones P, Thomas JX. Selection criteria for residency: results of a national program directors survey. Acad Med. 2009;84(3):362-7.

4. Breyer MJ, Sadosty A, Biros M. Factors Affecting Candidate Placement on an Emergency Medicine Residency Program’s Rank Order List. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(6):458-62.

5. Hayden SR, Hayden M, Gamst A. What characteristics of applicants to emergency medicine residency programs predict future success as an emergency medicine resident?. Acad Emerg Med. 2005;12(3):206-10.

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