r/emergencymedicine • u/SLM_Blazer • 7h ago
Advice Are some SLOEs stronger than others?
In a dilemma about choosing between two audition rotations based on location and program strength. With an increasing emphasis on eSLOEs being the single most important factor in the application, is it true that some programs write stronger/better eSLOEs, despite them being "standardized"?
I have the choice between doing an audition rotation at an academic center in one city that flexes "writing the strongest eSLOEs in the state," but I truly have zero desire to match there. I also got accepted during the same month to rotate at an HCA community program, but in the city I desperately want to match in.
For context, I do have a couple of other audition rotations secured at an academic and a community (Non-HCA) program in my desired city/area, but they are later into interview season (between Nov-Jan) after SLOEs would ideally already have been submitted in late September. Before September, my first SLOE will be from a community program in the desired city, and the second would be from either of the two programs I'm debating above. I cannot rotate at both sites at different times due to the rotation limit set by my school.
I just don't want my application hindered because of my eSLOEs being from a community program and an HCA program. Is it worth getting a "strong" SLOE from an established academic center that may impress other programs in my desired region, or would it be better to get it from an HCA program that would probably end up on my rank list, albeit lower?
2
u/irelli 6h ago
You want to go to the best place that you can get a top 1/3rd from
Personally, I would stay away from some of the really really big name programs, as they often have very competitive applicants, and unfortunately you're being judged against your peers
You want to go to a solid academic program where you're still able to stand out
Unfortunately, even beyond this, some programs grade harshly, some grade very easily. And you have no way of knowing which is which.
9
u/Waldo_mia 7h ago
Simply, yes.
That being said. What the sloes say also matter. A bottom 1/3 sloe at an “academic” center doesn’t beat out a top 1/3 at community. Some places are know for writing cushy SLoEs and some for writing hard SLOEs. Your best bet for consistency is a clerkship director who has been present for a bit.