Interview Trailblazing: Resources for Residency Applicants

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Image Credit: Pexels

Author: Jessica Fujimoto MD
Emergency Medicine Chief Resident
Temple University Hospital AAEM/RSA Vice President

Ah, peak residency interview season. You’re getting tired from all of your travels. You’ve forgotten the components of the PERC rule, but can rattle off your hobbies and interests like nobody’s business. Oh yeah, and your suit is starting to get a bit snug from all the free food and drinks.

Ok fine, maybe that last part was just me...

Top Ten Things I Have Learned Along the Interview Trail

Author: Chris Ryba, MS4
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council President

As my interview season comes to a close and Match Day now awaits on the horizon, I thought now would be the perfect opportunity to list the top ten things I have learned along the interview trail:

1. The Interview Trail is TIRING
Long days, long travel times across the country, early morning starts, and the constant goal of always trying to look your best during months of interviews can take a major toll on the body.

My advice: Rest up and keep a good sleep schedule, maintain a healthy lifestyle, pack meals for road trips, and take advantage of hotel perks.

Standardized Residency Video Interviews: Benefit or Burden?

Author: Mike Wilk, MD
PGY-1, Brown EM

Forward: Please note that after submission of this article, the Standardized Video Interview Project was put on hold this year for further review by the AAMC. However, its implementation remains expected at a later date.

We are trained as emergency physicians to start evaluating patients from the moment we lay eyes on them. Sometimes referred as the “door test,” we assess, determine workups and consider possible dispositions from the moment we step through the door to lay eyes on our patient. Much like assessing patients, EM residency programs are looking for more efficient ways to rapidly evaluate future residents even before they are invited for an in-person interview. This year, medical students bound for an EM residency will have a new option to complete on their residency applications: the AAMC Standardized Video Interview.

What exactly will this video interview involve? When I first heard of the concept, I initially envisioned it to be a “personal branding” video where each student would have a minute or two to sell themselves. While this idea is exciting, I also envisioned medical students spending many hours perfecting this video, and even more burdensome, spending hundreds of dollars for professional videography. Basically, I imagined something similar to YouTube high school football recruiting videos, complete with pump-up music and special effects.

Lessons from the 2016 Match

Image: Common Sense

Author: Mike Wilk, MS4
Medical Student Council President '15-'16 
Originally Published: Common Sense, May/June 2016

The 2016 match in emergency medicine continued the trend of rapid growth and a bright future for our great specialty. In comparing this year’s NRMP data to last year's, the number of EM programs increased from 171 to 174 and positions increased from 1,821 to 1,895. The number of applicants rose from 2,352 to 2,474 and USA senior medical student applicants rose from 1,613 to 1,693. Only one EM position in the entire country went unmatched. The match rate for American senior med students was nearly 88% (data on whether these students ranked other specialties above EM are not yet available, so the actual match rate may be higher). The number of American MD seniors filling these positions held steady at 78.4%, from 79% the previous year. Based on these data, it looks like the number of new programs and positions continues to balance consistently high demand for EM residency slots.

From sending applications to doing rotations away to Match Day, I want to share a few lessons I learned on the way to securing my own EM residency position.

Lesson 1: Applying for Away Rotations (January-March)
I planned to do my residency in the same city where I attended medical school, so when I began the process of applying for away rotations I applied only to programs in my area. I recommend doing your away rotations in the region you want to be in for residency, as this can affect whether or not you get an interview at certain programs in that region. It is not the end of the world if you don't do a rotation in a specific region though (more on that later). I ended up rotating at both a very strong community program and a very strong academic program in my area. I also recommend that you vary your experience by rotating at different types of programs — such as county, academic, and community hospitals — since they really do have different training environments and their faculties and house staffs will be populated by different kinds of personalities.

Lesson 2: Applying through ERAS (September-October)
Speak with an experienced EM adviser who can give you honest advice about the strength of your application, and tell you how many programs to apply for through ERAS. Many of my friends committed minor errors, such as not realizing interview invitations were going to the spam box and not assigning letters of recommendation to each individual program. Check and double check your ERAS applications, and please check your spam folder throughout the entire application process!

6 Elements to Consider When Making Your Rank List

Image Credit: Flickr

Author: Matthew Camara
MSIV - Ross University
International Rep, AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council '14-'15

When interview season is underway, students have the task of putting prospective programs into a rank list. It may be beneficial to start creating a preliminary rank list based on information that is available to you for each program. As you complete your interviews you can move programs up or down until you’ve created your final rank list.

While these are not in any particular order, they are all things to consider while putting your rank list together.

1. Location
Many students have already considered geographical location when applying to residency programs, but as EM has become more competitive students are applying more broadly. When making your Match list it is still important to consider where you will be living for the next three to four years. Consider the climate, living expenses, things to do in the area, and how far away you are willing to be from family and friends. If you have a significant other, but are not going through the Couples Match, ranking in the same geographical location is something that may be more important to you than other candidates.

2. Three vs. Four Year Program
A major consideration when creating your rank list is whether you feel a three or four year program is right for you. Both have benefits as well as downsides. Three year programs offer a faster route to begin your own practice or fellowship. Whereas four year programs offer an additional year of mentored training that some feel make you more appealing to prospective employers. Three year programs also offer a financial advantage over a four year program, as you make an attending’s salary one year earlier. However, hospitals with a four year residency program may not hire a new graduate from three year program without an additional year of experience. Also, three year programs may be more congested with less elective time compared to a four year program. Some would suggest that the added time in a four year program allows you to explore possible niches within EM. Opinions on the ideal training length will continue to vary, but ultimately both models offer excellent training for EM physicians. What matters is that you find the right training model to fit you.

3. Community vs. University Program
Both community and university programs offer great training experiences. While both will prepare you for a successful career, each have unique differences. Community hospitals tend to have smaller residency programs with less total residents. Often there are plenty of procedures and hands on time with limited competition from residents in other specialties. Community programs also mirror the practice setting that a majority of graduates will go into after residency. On the other hand, university hospitals generally have a greater focus on research and academics. Often they have more resources at their disposal which allows them to practice medicine that is cutting edge. University hospitals also tend to be tertiary care centers where you can see a diverse patient population with complex pathology leading to unique experiences in off-service as well as ED rotations.

It is important to keep in mind that many programs blur the line between these two types of institutions. University programs have community ED rotations, and some community programs are affiliated with university centers. It ultimately comes down to researching the specific program to see what experiences they offer to their residents, and deciding what setting will be best for you.

Top 10 Ways to Ace the Interview

Image Credit: Flickr

Author: Melanie Pollack, OMSIV
Vice President, AAEM/RSA Medical Student Council '15-'16

Congratulations, emergency medicine students! You've selected your away rotations, succeeded at them, and now you're interviewing! Here are 10 ways to shine during interview season. Good luck!

1. Scheduling
Prime interview time will be November through January, so try to plan your rotations so you will have available slots. An important matter to keep in mind is geography. Try to make your life easier by lumping regions around the same time so you can save some money. Another important tip is to not schedule your top program first. Get a few under your belt so you are comfortable when you arrive at a desired program. If you have to cancel an interview, make sure there is a reasonable amount of time so the program can fill the spot. The biggest no-no would be to no show. Emergency medicine is a small world and people talk. Do not cancel the night before or no show. Just don’t do it.

2. To be Early is to be On Time. To be On Time is to be Late. To be Late is Unacceptable.
First things first, be on time. Plain and simple. Plan ahead, map out the path to take and notice possible delays. If you are late, make sure to call the programs contact and explain what happened.

3. Dress Appropriately
Especially as emergency medicine professionals, dressing in a suit and tie can be hard. You are interviewing for a job and must dress accordingly. Men, a suit and tie is easy and appropriate. For women, a nice pant or skirt suit is acceptable. For both, keep it simple with black or blue suits and a nice white or neutral colored shirt. Do not wear extravagant jewelry. Try to avoid strong perfume or cologne.

Researching Osteopathic Emergency Medicine Programs

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Author: Muhammad Alghanem, MSIV
Medical Student
Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

If you’re an osteopathic medical student interested in emergency medicine, you may be wondering where to find information specific to osteopathic residency programs. Some general facts, such as the universal four year length of the residency curriculum, may be common knowledge even to those just starting to explore their interest in emergency medicine. However, more program specific information may be harder to come by.[1] Taking the initiative to learn about the resources and opportunities available to you can help you prepare for the application process. In this post, you’ll find some basic insights into researching osteopathic emergency medicine programs.

Interviewing Tips for Emergency Medicine Residency Positions

Via Flickr - Creative Commons

Authors:
Andrew W. Phillips, MD MEd
Gregory Wanner, DO PA-C

This is not peer reviewed … This is not evidence based … This is based on nothing more than our own meandering experiences that we thought may be helpful at this time of year. We invite comments below the post from everyone — students, residents, and attendings. Share your recommendations and experiences.

1) Research the program ahead of time.
Not just for 10-15 minutes, but for 2-3 hours. Know the programs leadership by their faces. Know the faculty you would seek as mentors based on their posted biographies. When you receive your interview schedule upon arrival, try to step aside during down time and look up information about your interviewers. Most interviewers know what is on their program’s website — so should you.

2) Contact medical school alumni who went into emergency medicine.
Get to know them if you don’t already. You never know what a good word from the inside can do when trying to get an interview or on the wait list. They can also give you a candid perspective on programs and their experiences.

10 Tips for the Interview Trail

Author: Sepi Jooniani, MD MPH

As you prepare for interview season, here are ten tips to help you along the way. Most of this advice is purely common sense, and after going on your first few interviews, it will become a routine that is second nature to you. However, if the anticipation of your first interview overwhelms you with pre-interview jitters, it might help to mentally prepare yourself by reading over some pointers.

Rules of the Road: Ch 7 Summary: "The Residency Application Process - Visits and Interviews"

Originally Published: AAEM's Rules of the Road for Medical Students, First Ed. Chief Editors: A. Antoine Kazzi, MD FAAEM MAAEM; Joel M. Schofer, MD RDMS FAAEM
Chapter Summary by: Kari Gorder, Medical Student Council, Regional Representatives - Northeast

Choosing a residency program is one of the most significant decisions a medical student will make. While the match experience can induce a considerable amount of anxiety, it is also an exciting and memorable time. With the right amount of research and preparation, applicants can navigate the process with skill and success—and hopefully the least amount of stress possible! This chapter briefly outlines the steps of interviewing for an EM residency.

EM Today: Updates from the Interview Trail

Originally Published: Modern Resident, February/March 2010

Original Article Author: Alex Fisher, OMS-IV

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine

Submitted by: Saadiyah Bilal (Publications Committee Co-Chair)

The interview season for EM is over! I'm not going to miss it. Most students would agree that by now, they have had their fair share of traveling, disruption and trying to balance a meager student loan budget with the costs of it all. The good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you are moving one step closer to becoming a brilliant and dashing EM doc!