Optimizing Your Fourth YearOptimizing Your Fourth Year

Douglas S. Ander, MDDouglas S. Ander, MDAssociate Professor of Emergency MedicineAssociate Professor of Emergency Medicine

Director Undergraduate Medical EducationDirector Undergraduate Medical Education

Directory Emory Center for Experiential LearningDirectory Emory Center for Experiential Learning

Emory University School of MedicineEmory University School of Medicine

Career ChoiceCareer Choice

Final career choice needs to be made.Final career choice needs to be made.

EM RotationsEM Rotations

Why?Why?– Finalize career choiceFinalize career choice– AuditionAudition– Program evaluation (by you)Program evaluation (by you)– Unique educational experience (for you)Unique educational experience (for you)– Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation– Clinical skillsClinical skills– Course gradeCourse grade

EM RotationsEM Rotations

Where?Where?– Home program if available and consider an Home program if available and consider an

audition elective.audition elective.– If no home program choose elective at a strong If no home program choose elective at a strong

EM residency program.EM residency program.

EM RotationsEM Rotations

When?When?– Before September’ishBefore September’ish

Remember letters of recommendation need to be in Remember letters of recommendation need to be in file by September/October.file by September/October.

– September through JanuarySeptember through January Clinical experiencesClinical experiences GradeGrade

EM RotationsEM Rotations

How?How?– Web sites, email, word of mouth, mentors, and Web sites, email, word of mouth, mentors, and

telephonetelephone Remember first impressions.Remember first impressions. Plan in early springPlan in early spring

How Many?How Many?– Most students will do two EM rotationsMost students will do two EM rotations

Other ElectivesOther Electives

Three categoriesThree categories– Flexibility for interviewsFlexibility for interviews– Supplement clinical experience prior to interviewsSupplement clinical experience prior to interviews– FunFun

Other ElectivesOther Electives

Critical careCritical care CardiologyCardiology OrthopedicsOrthopedics RadiologyRadiology AnesthesiologyAnesthesiology PediatricsPediatrics

OphthalmologyOphthalmology OtolaryngologyOtolaryngology ToxicologyToxicology ResearchResearch ExoticExotic

Step 2 and CSStep 2 and CS

First decide based on your Step 1 score if First decide based on your Step 1 score if you need to take Step 2you need to take Step 2– Low = definitely takeLow = definitely take– Above Average/High = WaitAbove Average/High = Wait– Average = Your callAverage = Your call

When does your school require completionWhen does your school require completion

ApplicationApplication

Complete by September/OctoberComplete by September/October– Programs start to review applications in Oct.Programs start to review applications in Oct.– The more complete the more likely you will be The more complete the more likely you will be

granted an interviewgranted an interview– Important to have EM letters of recommendationImportant to have EM letters of recommendation

Interview seasonInterview season

December and JanuaryDecember and January– Consider vacationConsider vacation– Rotations that allow for traveling (flexibility)Rotations that allow for traveling (flexibility)– Make sure program director knows who you areMake sure program director knows who you are

Post-InterviewsPost-Interviews

Thank you notesThank you notes RemindersReminders Have FUN!Have FUN!

ResearchResearch

ProsPros– Understand the research processUnderstand the research process– Publications and presentationsPublications and presentations– NetworkingNetworking

ConsCons– Time consumingTime consuming– No instant gratificationNo instant gratification

ResearchResearch

Do I have to do research?Do I have to do research?– NoNo

What type?What type?– Genuine interest in the topicGenuine interest in the topic

Other options?Other options?– Reviews, curriculums, administrative projectsReviews, curriculums, administrative projects

Understand EM IssuesUnderstand EM Issues

Educate yourself on important issuesEducate yourself on important issues– Read EM websitesRead EM websites– Join an EM organizationJoin an EM organization– Be able to demonstrate an understanding of Be able to demonstrate an understanding of

important issues facing emergency physiciansimportant issues facing emergency physicians MalpracticeMalpractice Nursing shortageNursing shortage ED OvercrowdingED Overcrowding Ambulance diversionAmbulance diversion

Be honest with yourselfBe honest with yourself

Examine your recordExamine your record– Be honest with yourselfBe honest with yourself– Have someone else be honest for you (need a Have someone else be honest for you (need a

good mentor)good mentor)

If you have an average recordIf you have an average record– Apply broadlyApply broadly– Consider a backup planConsider a backup plan– What else makes you specialWhat else makes you special

Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

Community ServiceCommunity Service International experiencesInternational experiences Organizational involvementOrganizational involvement Advanced degreesAdvanced degrees

NetworkingNetworking

Go to meetings (regional and national)Go to meetings (regional and national) Visit programsVisit programs Talk to graduatesTalk to graduates Use faculty contacts from your schoolUse faculty contacts from your school

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation

3-4 letters (2 from EM faculty)3-4 letters (2 from EM faculty) Balance between someone who knows you Balance between someone who knows you

and a leaderand a leader Consider extra time with the facultyConsider extra time with the faculty

RELAX!!!!!!!!RELAX!!!!!!!!